SEX ACTS IN PUBLIC ABSOLUTELY PROHIBITED

Fantasy Fest is an adult party. Risque. People let go, their privates hang out. Nudity in various forms big. One prohibition: Sex acts in public are absolutely prohibited.

Fun lovers should be able to live within the restriction. Break the law and go to jail. Mighty cold spending a night in a jail cell without clothes.

The town is already full with party goers. Earlier in the week this year.

Many interesting events tonight. I have picked out a few you might enjoy. Anything But Clothes Party, Tarzan-n-Jane at the Green Room, the Pet Masquerade, Smokin’ Tuna Homemade Bikini contest, Wharfstock at Schooner Wharf, Sexy Bull Riding Party at Cowboy Bill’s. The ladies ride.

Stopped at Publix yesterday afternoon to get 20 Mega Millions lottery tickets. Good luck! The line at least 30 deep. Not moving. I did not plan on winning anyhow. Not a wait in line person. Left.

As I was walking to my car I thought if someone wins who bought a ticket at Publix, I might never be happy again.

The news this morning indicates some one from South Carolina won. God bless the person! Better stated, God blessED the person!

Remained home in the evening. Watched the World Series, did my podcast, returned to watching the World Series. The Red Sox won 8-4.

Loved the podcast! Provided the opportunity for me to vent. Topics like what is going on with Michael’s victims, Trump’s lying the past week, migration/the caravan, Trump’s plan to dump the nuclear treaty with Russia, asexuality, the nut who grabbed a woman’s breast twice on a commercial flight over the weekend who justified his actions on Trump’s comments during the campaign re “grabbing a woman’s pussy.”

I additionally commented on Saudi Arabia’s blunderings in killing Jamal Khashoggi. The Saudis the gang who could not shot straight.

The Saudis thought they were smart. One of them dressed in Jamal’s clothes and left the embassy. The Saudis knew the video would pick him up. One problem. The Turkish police noted the shoes were not the same as Jamal wore going into the embassy.

Early voting in Monroe County began yesterday. Be sure to vote.  Everyone’s vote extremely important this year.

Sick! Sick! Sick!

The Blue Ship Lines is building a Titanic replica. Its first sailing 2022. Titanic II’s maiden voyage will be the same route from Southampton to the United States as the original Titanic was sailing.

Titanic II will be similar in many ways to the original. Four smokestacks, 2,435 passengers, the cabin layout the same.

One exception. A major one. The lifeboats will be more than adequate.

Who in their proper minds would want to make the sailing?

Enjoy your day!

 

A KEY WEST GHOST STORY…..MARIA VALDEZ DE GUTSENS

I mentioned the Gray Man ghost yesterday. The reaction amazing. People love ghost stories!

Ergo, I opted to begin today’s blog with a Key West ghost story. The ghost’s name…..Maria Valdez de Gutsens.

Maria was the administrator of the Mercedes Charity Hospital in Key West. Her title Matron. She ran the hospital for 23 years.

The hospital had previously been the Gato home. Gato the famous cigar producer. He built the home originally where Bayview Park stands today. Overlooking the water. The end of Key West. New Town not even a thought in anyone’s mind.

When his wife died, he sold the home. It was bought and moved to what is now 1209 Virginia Street. A couple of doors down from White Street.

The home became the hospital. The hospital closed in 1942.

Maria was loved by all. People referred to her as an Angel of Mercy.

The former hospital today is an apartment house. It is believed Maria still walks the halls, rooms and porches. There have been several reports of having seen her.

One report was by a man in bed sleeping. His wife next to him. He woke feeling someone holding his wrist. He swears it was Maria, with a man standing next to her. She was taking the pulse of the man in bed. He turned to wake his wife. Maria and her companion disappeared.

Last year when I was looking for an apartment to rent, the Gato House had one available. Checked it out. Looked ok. I recalled Maria’s story. Could not rent the apartment. If Maria and I met up, I would not have been able to handle it.

I am a sort of believer in ghosts.

Alley is on her school’s volleyball team. I went to watch her play at 5. I was impressed. By her and her team mates.

Ally was proud to be playing. You could see it in her face.

Her team won both games easily.

Poppa fell! I was seated in the middle half way up the bleachers. I went to leave after the game. Most were staying for a second game that had been scheduled. Maneuvering around those seated, I tripped/lost my balance and went down!

Times when one feels like an asshole.

I was concerned I had broken my left leg or hip. I was bleeding. No way I was going to stay there and get help. I got myself up, down the bleachers and out the building. My sore leg and hip last night are without pain today. The bleeding I took care of when I got home.

The next game, I will sit at the end of a row on an aisle.

Prior to Ally’s game, I spent the afternoon preparing for my podcast show in the evening. Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. I spent half the show talking about Michael and how Irma had impacted my feelings for those who will go through hell in northern Florida tonight.

The Sons and Daughters of Italy do not meet over the summer. Monthly meeting begin anew this evening. I look forward to the meeting. The members are fun people. There is a social hour first. Food and drink. Then a business meeting.

So much happened news wise yesterday and in the past few days. All worthy of mention. I have decided to refer to the occurrences as Hot News.

Michael on the way. At the moment a category 4. Hits landfall around 6 this evening. God help those who opted to remain.

Trump’s friend Saudi Arabia misbehaving. Turkey in cahoots. Saudi journalist Jamal Kheshoggi is a U.S. resident and Washington Post contributor. He was a critic of current Saudi policies.

It is believed he was assassinated. His body then dismembered. Trump has yet to make mention of the incident.

Recently, there was a failed attempt to assassinate Venezuela’s Nicolas Maduro. One of individuals thought to be involved was  political opponent Fernando Alban.

Alban was in custody. Being held on the 10th floor of the Bolivian Intelligence Service. He went out the 10th floor window. The claim, he was a suicide. His supporters say bullshit. He was thrown out!

Trump has yet to comment on this issue, also.

Trump at an Iowa rally last night. He mentioned Diane Feinstein. The crowd yelled…..Lock her up! Trump smiled. Never said no, not the American way.

The same thing happened when Hillary was mentioned during the campaign.

Trump encourages violence with his silence.

Nikki Haley resigned yesterday as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations. She and Trump enjoyed a love relationship when her resignation was announced. Both said all kinds of nice things about each other.

The first Cabinet person to leave and not get condemned by Trump. Why did she get a free ride?

So much for Hot News.

I continue to live and learn.

We all buy ice cream in super markets. A favorite American dessert. Keep it in the freezer and pull it out when the desire hits. Which unfortunately is often.

Brands like Breyer’s, Ben and Jerry’s, Klondike, Good Humor and Popsicle.

Guess what? They are all owned by the same company. Unilever. A British-Dutch transnational consumer goods company.

America’s first robot farm has begun operation this week. The robots replace humans. The robots described as “incredibly intelligent machines.”

The company involved is Iron Ox. A hot entity. Las year, outside money people invested in excess of $10 billion.

It is claimed the robot farm can turn out 30 times more produce than a traditional farm.

The robot farm is a hot item because the farming industry is facing a serious labor shortage and there is a growing pressure to produce more crops.

Enjoy your day!

 

 

 

COMCAST DOES IT AGAIN

Comcast down again this morning. From 7 am to 12 noon. No internet-e-mail and TV. For the doubter last week when I complained re Comcast, Comcast does provide e-mail service with the internet.

Today, tuesday. Great day for Comcast to be down. I have my podcast show Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou this evening. Normally, I would do the blog in the morning and then prepare for the evening show in the afternoon. The internet required to do both!

Ergo, I am behind. I started researching for tonight’s show at noon. Skipped over and did Key West Lou Live on Facebook. Now the blog which I normally do first in the morning. When the blog is finished, I will return to working on tonight’s show.

A crowded day. All because Comcast screwed up again.

I am not upset. Pissed, yes!

Last night, Dueling Bartenders. Good crowd for this time of the year. Tom and Rick their usual terrific selves. Lovely Laura Richardson guest entertainer. What a voice!

It was good to see Joseph. The last time I saw him 3-4 weeks ago, his face was swollen. He was aware. Did not know the cause. Last night, his face back to normal. What did you do? Nothing. It went down on its own.

Laura’s parents are Rob and Maria. Both retired lawyers. Now live full time in Key West. Entrepreneurs. The family owns the great new bar Roost, the art gallery SALT, and half of Mary Ellen’s.

I mentioned to Rob and Maria how much I enjoyed Mary Ellen’s. Especially the grilled cheese sandwiches. Added, I had seen the dildo races once. Yes, just what you think.

Rob advised the dildo races were run one night a week and the money raised went to charity. So far the race has raised in excess of $60,000. In less than a year.

Sally spotted me. Came over and sat next to me. A friend from Hot Dog Church and the Rum Bar. Good company.

Hustled over to Macaw’s afterwards. Small crowd. I was surprised.

Mary joined me at the bar. A tour guide at The Little White House. I enjoy talking with her.

The blog is short. I need to work on tonight’s show. Topics will include Kavanaugh/Ford, Florence, baseball great Sandy Koufax, and the new Presidential Alert System.

The preceding topics when completed will take all of 15 minutes. Need to add another 15 minutes.

Join me for Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. Nine my time. A fast moving half hour. Guaranteed you will enjoy. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou.

Enjoy your day!

FLORIDA GOVERNOR RACE A CHAMPIONSHIP FIGHT

It had to happen. A clear cut major election where the candidates represent a difference of opinion. In every respect. A clash of ideologies.

Florida the site. The Governor’s race November 6.

Andrew Gillum won the Democratic primary. A long shot. Perhaps not even that close. Did not have sufficient support to even be considered in the running.

He fooled everyone.

Gillum is presently the African-American Mayor of Tallahassee. A true liberal. Progressive a more apt description. His cry Medicare for All an example.

Progressives strongly supported him. Bernie Sanders behind him.

On the Republican side, Congressman Ron DeSantis. Tied to Trump 100 percent. Supports the President’s positions 100 percent. Trump visited Florida to support him. DeSantis’ support was waning. The Trump visit gave him the boost he needed.

A conservative.

Liberal v. Conservative. A heavyweight championship fight!

Good for the Nation. Let’s get an indication how the people truly think.

Georgia presents a similar situation. I do not know enough about it at the present time to comment.

In recent days, I spoke favorably in support of Gwen Graham for the Democratic nomination. An establishment type candidate. I  viewed her politics as center leaning to right.

Local politics important. Key West is going to have a run off for Mayor. Local races non-partisan in Key West.

Teri Johnson got 49 percent of the vote. Two others 21 and 20 percent respectively. A recount required to determine who came in 2nd.

The Mayor’s race will be on the November 6 ballot.

My friend Mary Lou Hoover won a City Commission seat. I am thrilled for her! She is good people. Key West will benefit from her election.

God is on the side of Republicans. At least they think so. The Evangelicals support Trump 1,000 percent. The Christian group a significant part of Trump’s base. Solid base!

Recall 2 years ago when Romney spoke to a group of financial supporters. A private meeting. No press. No record of his comments being kept. Someone recorded his comments on a cell phone. The recording was extremely embarrassing to Romney.

A similar situation occurred monday night at the White House. Trump was entertaining a group of Evangelicals. No press. No record of Trump’s comments being kept. Someone however pulled a Romney.

Trump’s comments recorded. NBC yesterday verified their authenticity.

Trump told the Evangelicals that if the Democrats took over Congress, there would be violence: The Democrat “level of hatred, the level of anger is unbelievable…..they will overturn everything that we’ve done and they’ll do it quickly and violently, and violently…..these are violent people.”

Trump encouraging violence. On the part of his followers. They will believe at some point they have to defend and fight for what they hold sacred. They must be ready to oppose the villanous Democrats..

Trump let down Puerto Rico following Maria. Why? I suspect color. Whatever, as a Nation we did not do anywhere enough for our fellow citizens.

Trump told us he did a good job re Puerto Rico. Only 64 deaths. An independent study by George Washington University recently released indicates 2,975.

I’m glad we can depend on the Trump administration to give us accurate information. First it provides insufficient help. Then misrepresents the death total by almost 3,000.

Ian Welsh is a Canadian blogger. I read his blogs. Agree and disagree with his writings.

His most recent blog explored whether Canada would return to the new NAFTA the U.S. and Mexico are presently negotiating. He has concern about certain issues. His admonition to the Canadian government at the end of his blog…..Trump only respects hardball. Play it, or crawl on your belly.

Can’t wait to go out tonight. Tuesdays I spend all day and night at home preparing for and doing my podcast in the evening. I am a night/people person. Back on the road tonight!

Enjoy your day!

 

KEY WEST ROYAL POINCIANA UNDER ATTACK

Key West’s beautiful, flamboyant, orange-red petaled Royal Poincianas are under attack. A plague. The culprit some type caterpillar.

The caterpillars just short of 2 inches long. Attack only by night. The Dracula of the vermin world. Eat the flamboyant flowers and foliage. Destroy the trees.

Major outbreaks occur every 10-15 years. This obviously is the year.

Treatments are available to protect against and/or control the caterpillars. Information is available through the County. Contact Michelle Leonard-Mularz. She is an Environmental Horticulture Agent. mularz-michelle@monroecounty-fl.gov.

There is a concern among some that the City of Key West itself may not be doing enough to help.

Yesterday another busy one. Began with lunch at Sandy’s Cafe. Followed by several errands.

A quick nap late in the afternoon.

An early evening start. Monday night so it was Dueling Bartenders at Aqua. Tom Luna and Rick Dery the best!

A decent crowd for August. Including Liz, Josefina, Mary, and Linda. Another Mary joined me. Mark Watson came hurrying through and gave a wave.

Dinner with Mary at Antonia’s bar afterwards.

Mary Lou Hoover and Charlie Waite at the bar, also. Good people. Mary Lou looked tired. She has been campaigning 9 months for election to the Key West City Commission. The battle over. Enjoying a late dinner.

We chatted a bit. As you are aware, I one hundred percent support Mary Lou. A more interested and concerned person I have never met.

Ran into an old friend I have not seen in years also at Antonia’s. Mary Ann Westerland.

Today is election day in Florida. For local races, today is the day. Not in November. If you are a Key Wester, please consider voting for Mary Lou.

Staying with the election for a moment, today is primary day for federal and state offices. I have been supporting Gwen Graham to be the candidate for Governor on the Democratic ticket. A member of Congress, she also is the daughter of Bob and Adele Graham. Bob the former Governor of Florida and a member of the U.S. Senate.

Politics is in Gwen’s blood.

Tuesday means podcast time for me. My podcast. Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. Nine in the evening. A quick moving interesting half hour. I tend to rant and rave.

Join me. Guaranteed you will not be bored. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou.

A late night ahead. Being a political junkie, I will be glued to the TV for election results.

Love the Key West weatherman. Always a quip following his weather prediction. Today and tonight, showers. Following the report…..Free carwash.

I close with Trump. Not the disrespect and pettiness he exhibited with John McCain’s death. I did enough of that yesterday.

My concern at the moment is the redoing of the NAFTA agreement with Mexico. Yesterday, Trump in effect claimed victory. Similar to his announcement following the meeting with North Korea’s Kim. Not really a victory. Nothing finalized. Many items still to be covered.

Whatever, Trump got on the phone in the Oval Office. Seated behind his mammoth desk. Regal appearing. He called Mexico’s President. Reporters present.

I will not go into the details. They are all over TV and the newspapers today. Trump looked bad. Though a few points were generally agreed upon, it was obvious a deal was not yet close.

Typical Trump. There must always be a victory! A victory he made possible.

Trump already made a fool of the United States and himself re the Kim situation. I compare Kim and yesterday’s telephone call to Neville Brand when he got off the airplane in September 1938. He had rushed to Munich to have a face to face meeting with Hitler in a last ditch attempt to avoid war.

Chamberlain got off the plane waving a paper. “Peace in  our time,” he shouted.

World War II began soon after.

Chamberlain bullshitted as Trump has been. Sometimes Trump bullshits himself.

Enjoy your day!

 

ANOTHER DAY OF BEAUTIFUL SOUND

Terri White two days in a row! Nothing could be better!

Terri was guest performer last night at Aqua. She participated with Tom Luna and Rick Dery in Dueling Bartenders.

Her voice…..Magnificent! The woman a top notch vocalist. The crowd went crazy for her tune renditions.

The entire show was good. How could it not be? A trio of great singers…..Tom Luna, Rick Dery and Terri White.

Do yourself a favor. Stop by some monday evening 5:50-8-00 and enjoy!

Tom looking better. Still recovering from a kidney stone surgery. Needs to put back on a few more pounds.

Donna was there, of course. The lovely Jean Thornton, also. She leaves tomorrow for her home in Birmingham. Key West will not know her again till October 15. I will miss her.

Sheila and John at the end of the bar.

Joe Phillips came over to say hello. We had met some time back. He and his wife relatively new to Key West. His wife, Andrea Phillips. Both veterans. Several tours of duty each. Joe’s first actual war engagement was Kuwait.

Donna and others were headed over to Antonia’s for dinner. The $10 summer pasta special. Too many carbs for me. I am protecting my diet. Begged off. Went to Sandy’s Cafe instead for a Cuban cheese toast and diet soda.

I mentioned yesterday that Antonia’s appeared to be closed at this time of the summer. I was wrong. Only sundays till the end of September.

Cuban dancing music saturday night in Key West. At the Key West Theater. The show Havana Nights Cuba. A combination of Havana spirits and Latin rhythms.

The beat exciting!

Sometimes the public is kept ignorant. Intentionally. I came across an item this morning that has not appeared yet in the media. It involves Peter Strzok, the FBI Special Agent fired this week. Trump considered his firing a great victory.

The information I came across indicated Strozk still a Federal employee. He had two jobs. Worked for the FBI and CIA. He is the Section Chief of the CIA’s Counterespionage Group. Served as such in recent years while also serving as Deputy Assistant Director of the FBI’s Counterintelligence Division.

If true, the man was sheep dipped. In intelligence work means he had an alternate identity.

True or false? Time will tell. Quickly, I assume.

If true, nothing wrong with it. Merely shows Trump is not as smart as he thinks. He does not know everything. Nor do those who closely work with him.

The crazies keep coming out to public view. Persons way out who want to be in government.

The most recent is New York’s Carl Paladino. A very wealthy man. Lives in New York’s 27th Congressional District. The Buffalo-Rochester area. The District where present Representative Chris Collins announced following his arrest for insider trading that he would not be running for reelection.

The seat a solid Republican one.

Paladino totally off the wall. He ran for Governor against Cuomo. Lost by 30 points. He was Co-Chair of Trump’s New York Campaign.

Similar to Trump in many ways. Loud, conservative and known for insulting people.

He reminds me of Ohio Congressman Jim Jordan. One difference. Jordan is a pussy compared to Paladino.

Paladino is anti-immigrant. In 2015, he bemoaned “non-Americans walking around.” Another time, he denounced the “damn Asians coming here to go to school.”

Even worse, he is anti-black. Anti-Obamas definitely. He once said of Barack Obama, “Barack should die from mad cow disease.” Not a friend of Michelle’s either: “A man who should go live with gorillas.”

The nuts run because normal people are reluctant to enter today’s extremely dirty political fray.

Paladino is running in a Republican primary for the seat.

Strange things happen. This one I do not understand. There has to be a legitimate reason for it. George Papadopoulos is scheduled to be sentenced September 7 for lying to the FBI. He has been cooperating with the Mueller team.

Mueller obtained a protective order yesterday to prevent/prohibit the release of evidence bearing on Papadopoulos. The Court granted Mueller’s request for the protective order immediately.

Does not mean anything wrong. Unusual, however.

Omarosa and the tapes. Wowie! She spent 15 years working with Trump. First on the Apprentice and then in the White House. A long relationship. In some fashion, she is going to blow the whistle on the President.

The 15 year relationship does not make sense. Trump not known for long term relationships. There has to be a glue that kept them together. It would be extremely amusing if one or more of the tapes involved sex.

Tonight the night! My podcast show. Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. Nine my time. A quick half hour of interesting and eye opening occurrences.

Join me. Guaranteed you will enjoy. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou.

Enjoy your day!

WELFARE FOR FARMERS / ALTERED TRANSCRIPTS

Good morning!

Today’s blog will be short. I have an early morning doctor visit and series of medical tests.

Two items of concern. The farmer subsidy announced yesterday by Trump and the altered official transcripts of the Trump/Putin press conference following their private meeting in Helsinki.

The tariff wars are already killing American farmers. Trump announced yesterday he was providing $12 billion to subsidize farmers for their losses.

Welfare.

Besides soybean, potato and corn farmers, other are being hurt by the tariffs. Lobster fishermen, auto workers, etc. The subsidy does not cover them

The $12 billion already exists. It sits in a special fund to compensate farmers when they are unable to sell their produce. The fund is going to be dipped into big time now. A farmer group representative said in effect not enough money. Losses already total $13 billion.

The bureaucracy to process these payments will be crazy. I suspect a fiasco/disaster as is being experienced with the parent/children immigration situation.

First payments will be available in September. What do the farmers do till then?

Nebraska is a farm state represented by U.S. Senator Ben Sasse. He said yesterday, “This administration’s tariff and bailouts aren’t going to make America great again, they’re just going to make it 1929 again.”

Few days go by that the President does not shout out FAKE NEWS. Always directed at the media.

The government is expected to be honest with its citizens. The truth, good, bad or indifferent. Trump has been caught with his pants down. Big time.

Recall last week the press conference involving Trump and Putin in Helsinki following their secret 2.5 hour meeting. A reporter asked Trump if he/Russia had supported Trump in the last Presidential election. Putin answered in effect yes. They liked Trump. The reason being he wanted to bring Russia/U.S. relations back to where they had been. Where was that? We have not had good relations with Russia since World War II.

The world heard and saw the question and answer. It was shown worldwide on television.

Washington released the “official” transcript of the press conference. Guess what? The question and answer were deleted. Skillfully. Could not tell. The “official” video was also altered. The question and answer removed.

Fake news?

Our government lying to us. Trump lying to us.

Watch out America!

Enjoy your day!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LIZ MOODY

Liz Moody. A spectacular woman. Accomplished. Recognized before her time.

Liz is 84 today. Happy birthday, Liz!

Unfortunate we met only two years ago. I enjoy her company. Our backgrounds similar.

Liz and I are members of the legal profession. Liz smarter than me, however. She was Dean of two law schools. Ended her career as CEO of the Law School Admission Test Corporation. A big deal!

We knew many of the same people in the profession. Judges, practitioners, and educators. Our conversations went on and on.

Age has not diminished Liz’s beauty. Nor her mind. Her body taking a bit of a beating, however. The past few years involving several hip operations. To no avail. She has difficulty walking. Sugar a problem. She was discharged yesterday from the hospital after two weeks and one day where they worked on stabilizing her sugar.

Liz originally from Cleveland. She and her husband purchased a lovely home on Southard in the early 1980’s. Her husband was a prominent Cleveland attorney. He passed away many years ago.

I shall enjoy celebrating Liz’s birthday with her this evening, as will her many Key West friends who will be celebrating with her. A catered event.

Less I forget, dinner with Liz a joy. Dinners she prepared. A gourmet cook. Her choice of wines equal to her culinary talent.

My podcast show last night. Tuesday talk with Key West Lou. As always, loved doing it!

I was happy to share Trip Advisor’s recent ratings re Key West. Number one in three categories.

Discussed China and North Korea a bit. Trump screwing up big time in our relations with the two countries. Already obvious the Kim meeting a failure. Trump was taken advantage of. The tariff war with China begins as a disaster. Chinese, Asian and European markets falling this morning. The U.S. markets will at some point.

If the tariff war continues, I predict a world wide depression a year from now. Hoover became President when the market was at an all time high. Everyone making money. He thought tariffs were warranted. Did not make sense. However, he went ahead anyway. One year later, the Great Depression.

History repeats itself. Trump not aware since he does not read nor is he a student of history.

Hemingway Days are coming! In one week. Begin July 17 and run through July 22.  A fun time. A family event.

As usual, there will be a Hemingway Look a Like contest. One hundred twenty five men from all over the world participating. All a bit chunky, all with white hair and beards, all dressed in white with a red waist band and a red cap.

The Running of the Bulls another event. My favorite.

Additionally, a street fair, arm wrestling contest, 5K run/walk, and a paddle board race.

The most interesting thing from my perspective is that where ever you go that week, Look a Likes will be there. Restaurants, bars.

The Key West Citizen weather reporter continues to be a humorist. Today’s report: A t-storm in spots; tell spot to go home. Tonight: Partly cloudy, as t-shower; birds happy.

Trump as President sets the tone for the country. As have all previous Presidents. If something is ok for a President to do, it is all right for the citizenry.

Trump engages in prejudice and bigotry.

Trump is down on Mexico for a number of reasons. Speaks badly of them all the time. The inevitable had to occur.

Rodolfo Rodriguez is a 91 year old Mexican citizen. He legally visits family in Willowbrook, California twice a year. A few days ago while visiting, he took his daily walk after lunch.

A woman and four men came up to him. The woman shouted: “Go back to Mexico!” The woman then hit him with a concrete block. The four men followed up kicking and beating him.

Rodriguez ended up with a broken jaw, broken cheek bone, 2 fractured ribs, and bruises all over.

The story bad enough so far. Another startling fact, however. The woman was black. She who has probably been subject to prejudice and bigotry her whole life subjected another to that treatment.

Another “Go back to Mexico” situation. A store. Mother and small children shopping. A 40ish man did not like the way the children were behaving. He told the mother, “Go back to Mexico.” A young man came to the woman’s defense.

Then there is the Cook County woman at a public park with her family. Enjoying a cook-out. She was wearing a T-shirt of the Puerto Rican flag.

A man came up to her and began berating her because she was wearing the T-shirt: “You should not be wearing that in the United States.” The woman retorted I am an American citizen. He responded she should then wear a T-shirt of the American flag.

The tirade went on 35 minutes. A park police officer was nearby watching. She told him she was becoming “uncomfortable.” He did nothing. Finally other police officers appeared and broke up the confrontation.

Mexico…..Puerto Rico…..Who began dumping on them thereby encouraging others to do so?

Enjoy your day!

 

POST SUMMIT THOUGHTS

I am addicted to politics and world events. I am paying for it this morning. I remained awake most of the night watching the Singapore Summit. Trump’s press conference was 4 am.

My first thought is I should have gone to sleep. I am dead! Laid in bed till 9. Here it is after 11 and I am just beginning the blog. Still have to prepare for tonight’s podcast Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. Be awake and sharp while I do the show.

What a day it’s going to be!

Talk is better than fury and fire. Trump and Kim agreed on nothing significant. The joint agreement said nothing. Denuclearization danced around.

However, the two met. They are now friends. Trump invited Kim to Washington. The world’s worst dictator has come front stage. They will engage in telephone chats. Things kumbaya. At least for a while.

Not enough for Trump to win the Nuclear Peace Prize. A meet and greet insufficient. A promise to denuclearize was required. The man who deserves the Prize is Moon Je, President of South Korea. He is the person who got the ball rolling resulting in the Summit.

One final thought. Trump was not ready. He has to prepare for these meetings. He requires a knowledgeable staff to guide him. Trump’s personality, good or bad, insufficient when it comes to the details.

So no misunderstanding exists, I consider the Summit a failure, except that now two leaders have come to know each other and will communicate.

Success may come re nuclear weapons. Down the road, however.

History tells us of a major success that began as a failure.

Reagan and Gorbachev met in Reykjavik, Iceland in 1987. They were unable to agree on anything of importance. Nothing was signed. The Summit was considered a failure.

Reagan and Gorbachev however began to talk informally. They now knew each other. Those talks paved the way to the eventual end of the Cold War and at that time the threat of nuclear war.

My KONK Life column several weeks ago was titled: I’m The President, Aren’t I?” Concerned Reagan’s speech at the Berlin Wall. In front of Brandenburg Gate.

Reagan and aides had worked on the speech for several weeks. Reagan wrote what he considered a strong line in the speech: “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!” His top advisers thought the sentence too strong. Wanted it out. It came out. Reagan would put it back in. This back and forth continued.

It was the morning of the speech. Reagan in a quandary. The line out. He still wanted it in.

He had a conversation with Deputy Chief of Staff Duberstein.

Reagan: I’m the President, aren’t I?

Duberstein: Yes, sir, Mr. President. We’re clear about that.

Reagan: So I get to decide whether the line about tearing the wall                       down stays in?

Duberstein: That’s right, sir. It’s your decision.

Reagan: Then it stays in.

A dramatic moment. I recall watching Reagan on TV. “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!”

Two and a half years later, the wall came down.

Big trees from little acorns grow. The Singapore Summit could result in good. Or, not. Time will tell. One thing certain. Trump and Kim must continue to talk if good is to be accomplished.

My podcast tonight. Join me. Nine o’clock.  A quick half hour of my ramblings, sharing thoughts, etc. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou.

The show must be good. Or at least, interesting. My numbers keep going up. The show has acquired national advertisers.

Enjoy your day!

 

 

LAST SUPPER…..MINE

I viewed last night’s dinner as my Last Supper. Till tomorrow night. Today, liquids only.

Tomorrow morning, a colonoscopy and endoscopy. I have had them before. The procedure nothing. Knocked out. The prep today the problem. You who have had the procedure understand. Those who have not, your time will come and you will understand.

I enjoyed lamb chops at Antonia’s. The lovely Nicolle bartending. As I think about it, I was enjoying lamb chops last monday at La Trattoria when it became necessary for Carrie the bartender to Heimlich me.

One of the reasons for the procedures tomorrow.

After Antonia’s, It was Publix. I had to buy various liquids to consume today. No food till tomorrow afternoon.

Prior to dinner, I stopped at Aqua. my usual monday evening haunt. Dueling Bartenders. Tom Luna and Rick Dery great. My friend Liz sitting on the other side of the bar enjoying them also. Liz looked great! A new hairdo.

Due to the fun time I shall be enjoying today and tomorrow, some activities/events have been cancelled. My Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou podcast will not be aired this evening. Nor this blog and my Key West Lou Live video tomorrow morning.

Paraphrasing General Douglas MacArthur, I shall return thursday.

Big Pine is 30 miles up the road. North on US 1. Got killed by Irma. Still recovering. Many yet homeless.

Sunday another disaster befell its residents. A raging wildfire. Still burning yesterday. Thought to be under control, but will not be sure until today runs its course.

Smoke covering the Key.

Local, state and federal forestry personnel battling the flames. Fire crews brought in from all the agencies. Including a helicopter which dropped 500 gallons of water at a time.

As of last night, 100 acres already burned. Strong winds encouraged the fire. Dried vegetation left over from Irma fueled it.

A tough fire to fight. The firefighters would put out one area only to find another had begun elsewhere.

Fortunately, losses limited to one house and one garage. No lives.

William Hackley became a part of our lives 2 years ago. Hackley lived and worked in Key West prior to the Civil War. He kept a diary. The Key West Citizen found portions of it and has been reporting Hackley’s life on a daily basis.

I have read 99 percent of the articles. Hackley is moving. Leaving Key West. He has been packing for a couple of weeks. Somewhere along the way, I must have missed a diary entry. I do not know why he is moving.

While in Key West, Hackley and his family enjoyed the life of the well to do. Hackley an attorney holding various positions.

I did a little digging and came up with Hackley’s life after leaving Key West. Only 10 years. He died during a yellow fever epidemic while living in Memphis in 1867.

Hackley left Key West in 1857. Settled in Joliet, Illinois for 6 years. Ran into financial difficulties. Moved to Memphis, Tennessee.

From 1863-1865, Hackley worked as a special agent for the US Treasury and as a cotton agent. In 1865, he became a special agent of the Treasury Department responsible for gathering cotton which had belonged to the Confederate States in Mississippi.

A yellow fever epidemic of great proportion struck in 1867. Hackley infected. He died in Memphis from yellow fever in 1867.

Trump making noises about immigration again. The “caravan” immigrants from Honduras and Guatemala trying to reach the United States. Most seek asylum. They have the necessary paperwork prepared for presentation to US officials at a border point.

Trump announced in recent days that the “caravan” was reaching the Tijuana crossing into the United States. He ordered the Department of Homeland Security to deny them entry.

Typical of Trump, he made it sound like barbarians were at the gate.

Not so.

The initial group leaving Honduras and Guatemala totaled 1,200. Families, many with children and babies. All walking.

The group reaching Tijuana 50. A handful. With papers.

Trump is going to deny them entry without even a proper review of their papers. Some or all just might qualify for entry.

Trump is a big man physically and a big man in every other respect. A giant. He is beating up little people.

Enjoy your day!

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