DISGUSTING PERFORMANCE

Yesterday’s Senate Committee Hearing was a perfect example of how inept our government has become. Four witnesses. All major figures. All bad. All unresponsive. Two terribly so.

An example of how our country is falling apart at the seams. Responsibility forgotten. A nation cannot survive unless everyone pulls together when it comes to basics.

Answer questions asked, unless there is a legal reason not to do so. There was none yesterday.

Today, Comey. He will be more responsive. Many say this is Comey’s day. I disagree. It is America’s day.

Rained like hell yesterday! Flooding all over!

This morning’s Key West Citizen has excellent photos of the flooding at Front and Duval Streets and Simonton and United.

Supposed to be rainy through the weekend. This afternoon and tonight heavy again. Then moderating off.

Wind warnings for this afternoon. Forty mile per hour winds. Not the time for boating.

Key West Pride week begins today. Runs through sunday.

Several days of festivities. The parade sunday afternoon. Always spectacular! Runs from the Gulf of Mexico to the Atlantic.

Key West is one happy family. Gays and straights intermingle. No one concerned. No one even thinks about a different sex preference.

Key West has had a gay mayor. Even a gay elected leader of the Chamber of Commerce. He was known as the Gay Master. Made BD/SM gear.

A gay master bd/sm manufacturer as head of the Chamber of Commerce would never have flown in Utica. People too uptight.

I mentioned Qatar and Iran yesterday. How Saudi Arabia and several other Arab states are on their backs. I attributed the move to Trump’s visit to Saudi Arabia two weeks ago. From my perspective, emboldened the Saudis.

Trump lacking in background knowledge and basic common sense the cause. He did the embolding.

No mention in yesterday and today’s papers re the ISIS attack in Iran and Saudi Arabia’s blockading and threatening little Qatar with invasion.

Was my Trump observation wrong? Or, have the Senate hearings re Russia, etc. blocked out all other significant news?

I read somewhere that people don’t change, they reveal who they really are. We are seeing it with Trump. Many of us knew he was unstable. It is more evident now that he has taken office.

A great religious figure died this date in 632 AD. Muhammad. One of the most influential figures in history. Today Islam is the world’s second largest religion.

Enjoy your day!

 

 

NOT A WOMAN SO HAVE NO BAD DAYS…..RUSSIAN PROSTITUTES THE BEST

“I am not a woman, so I don’t have bad days.”

Putin in a new documentary by film maker Oliver Stone.

Russia’s prostitutes are “unquestionably the best in the world.”

Putin again. This time in a Bloomberg Politics interview. The issue came up when Putin was asked what dirt Russia had on Trump. Putin responded none. He further added he did not believe Trump cohorted with prostitutes while in Russia. It was at that point he added the best prostitutes in the world comment.

Why my setting forth the two quotes? Putin and Trump are leaders of two of the most powerful nations in the world. Both have dirty mouths. Never heard Eisenhower, Truman, or Reagan speak thusly.

There are more important things for leaders of powerful nations to talk about than a woman’s bodily function or who has the best prostitutes.

Never left the house yesterday. Researched and wrote. Started working on last night’s podcast at one in the afternoon.

Great topics. Interesting. From D-Day to Trump to government waste to European Union and African Islamists to inequality to flying cars.

Quite a variety.

Rained all night. Heavy. Raining heavy this morning. Going to rain all day and tonight. Streets will flood. I may not get out tonight.

June 15 is National Dump to Pump Day. Fifteenth annual one. The cry is not to drive your car. Take a bus, bicycle or walk.

City of Key West pushing the day. Want everyone to ride the bus. We ain’t got enough busses!

The City Commissioners also want us to drive cars less. They encourage bike riding. To reduce traffic congestion.

Very anti-automobile. I like my car and prefer driving it. Especially since I live three keys outside Key West. I cannot see myself riding on a bike on  US 1 or the Boulevard. A sure auto/bicycle accident in the making. My old body involved.

Trump went to Saudi Arabia two weeks ago and sucked up to the Saudis and representatives of 53 other Arab nations. Turns out his visit has emboldened the Saudis. Great America is apparently on their side.

Two developments in the last 24 hours prove the point.

Iran was terrorized by ISIS. First any type terrorist attack in 10 years. Tehran no longer safe from ISIS.

Qatar has been warned by Saudi Arabia to change their tune and dance to Saudi Arabia’s dictates. The Saudis have blockaded little Qatar. Thirty six hours ago, ten  conditions for Qatar to agree to were submitted by the Saudis to Qatar. Qatar was given 24 hours to agree. Otherwise the veiled threat of invasion.

Twenty four hours have passed. No agreement, no invasion. The fear of war continues to exist, however.

None of this would have happened had Trump not behaved as he did when he visited Saudi Arabia. Again, he emboldened the Saudis. His conduct gave tacit approval to Saudi Arabia to flex its muscle.

The problem with Iran is Sunni / Shite hatred for one another. They tolerated each other for 10 years. Till trump got involved with the Saudis.

I fear Trump is going to get us into a war. Not necessarily the Middle East. Somewhere. It’s a big world. He’s a loose cannon with a six shooter on his hip.

Enjoy your day!

PROPER GRAMMAR RACIST

Pouring like hell! Dark and gloomy! A for real ocean side storm.

Love ’em. Just as much as sunny and warm days. Each its own flavor.

For many years, I have enjoyed rain and ocean. This morning, I opened the sliding doors and enjoyed the weather from my bed. Could see and hear. Nothing like it.

We are going through revolutionary times again. Racism the basis of it. One example is how certain people feel about language. The use of words. Grammar.

Proper grammar is considered reflective of white supremacy. Ergo, racist.

So sayeth certain African-Americans. Especially those who are college students.

The language spoken in the black community and parts of the white is far from what is considered by others as proper grammar. Such being the case, proper grammar should not be utilized in teaching, communicating, etc. Go with the language of the street.

Asao Inoue is the Writing Program Director at the University of Washington-Tacoma. He is one who describes proper grammar as racist.  He is anti-racist (based on what he considers racist). Wants street talk to make up the language structure.

I think Inoue and others who want street language to be the new norm are lazy. Simply stated. My sense is they refuse to accept and learn the discipline of speaking and writing proper grammar. They seek the easy way out.

Or, they are merely trouble makers.

My podcast show last night went well. As usual, fun to do. Political correctness re grammar as described hereinbefore one of the topics discussed.

Another one that I wrote about two years ago in a local newspaper and have commented on several times since. Afghanistan and the American heroin problem. Right on. Always interesting. Needs repeating till something is done about it.

Cuban Coffee Queen for lunch yesterday. Cuban cheese toast, Cuban coffee and American newspapers.

Stock Island and Key West not always joined. A boat ride separated the two. Till this date 1906. Stock Island and Key West were joined by a new 12 foot roadway built for the Florida East Coast Railroad.

Before the suns sets this day on Standing Rock, people may be injured and/or die. The Army Corp of Engineers set this date as the deadline for the Sioux Indians and their supporters to remove themselves from the property.

Some have suggested leave the issue to the courts. Others have said stay and fight. Religious fervor deep. As are basic rights. Both motivating factors re the Indian position.

If trouble occurs, Trump bears significant responsibility. He appears to have promised he would take care of things if elected. He did. He ordered construction to be resumed. His justification twofold. U.S. steel would be used, jobs created.

As a nation, we always seem to be behind. Jobs began going to Europe and Mexico twenty plus years ago. We are still fighting the battle to get them back.

Too late.

Our concern today should be robots and artificial intelligence. Such are taking over jobs. Cheaper for corporations. Involve less employee aggravation.

Cars and trucks are being tested for driverless operation. McDonald’s using kiosks where the customer presses a button to give orders. Eighteen months from now, you will receive your drive through McDonald’s order from a robot. Parking lots no longer have attendants. Machine operated.

On and on.

What have we done as a nation to train our labor force for this new world? Next to nothing.

Robots and artificial intelligence will be a major issue in the next Presidential campaign.

Warren Buffet this week reduced his holdings in Wal-Mart by $900 million. Does not speak well for Wal-Mart.

Tonight at 7, Syracuse/Duke. Big game! Duke 22-5 and ranked. Syracuse 16-12 and unranked. Duke a 4.5 point favorite. Syracuse needs to win this one to have a possibility of making the NCAA tournament.

I plan on watching the game at Jack Flats.

Still pouring like hell.

Enjoy your day!

 

STRANGE WEATHER

It rained yesterday. First time since a week ago sunday. We had rain the days before 99L. Not sure even as a result of 99L. Then the day 99L or a tropical storm was to hit, no rain.

Spent yesterday fine tuning last nights blog talk radio show. Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou.

One of the opening topics was Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte calling Obama the “son of a whore.”

I spoke at length about Duterte two weeks ago on the show. Referred to him as the Philippine Trump. Primarily because he was evidencing a foul mouth.

Why Duterte opted to defecate on Obama is difficult to understand. China is pushing the Philippines around. Specifically, the South China Sea. The Philippines have a next to nothing Navy and Air Force. We are their number one protector and arms supplier. Duterte is biting the hand that feeds him.

Poker Run around the corner. September 15-18. Ten thousand bikers will be in town. The roar of the bikes and the roar of the crowds!

Trump never ceases to amaze me. His comment yesterday was that his temperament was his “single greatest asset.”

Syracuse/Louisville friday night. Louisville ranked #13. I look forward to the game. Syracuse has a new coach and new offense.

Louisville a 14 point favorite.

Today is wednesday. Screw off day for me. The first day of my three day weekend. Other than my daily blog, no writing.

I have a manicure scheduled this morning and Back Door at cocktail time. There will be more as the day progresses.

Enjoy your day!

GREAT JOB SHERIFF RAMSAY!

Sheriff Ramsay is a persistent individual. He does not give up.

A perfect example is the U.S. pedestrian cross walk in Key Largo. Ramsay said it was wrongly designed. An invitation to disaster.

Florida DOT Secretary Boxold ignored him. Ramsay complained to the Governor’s office and went to the press.

A meeting resulted within days.

Boxold came to Ramsay. The meeting took place in Key Largo.

The flashing yellow light will be a double solid red one. Pedestrian has a button to press. Light goes flashing yellow. Then, solid yellow. Finally, double solid red.

Ramsay suggested Boxold get a hold of Key West authorities to correct similar problems on Northern Boulevard. Lets hope a meeting takes place soon.

You may not recognize me the next time we meet. Got a haircut yesterday. I am bald. Had it all cut off. A #1 on the electric razor.

I am not sure the motivation. I must admit I like it.

Lori not there to cut my hair. First time she has missed in 20 years. Emma did me.

Lori and her boy friend have lived together for years. They married New Year’s Eve. Civil service. City Hall. No one knew it was coming.

Their respective families were thrilled. One group from Maine. The other, Long Island. The family wanted a for real wedding, however. They got it. The ceremony sunday at West Martello. Reception to follow at Rooftop Cafe.

I will have to congratulate Lori a second time when I get my next haircut. It may be a long while.

Stopped at Cuban Coffee Queen for lunch after the haircut. No room at the inn! Tables full. Line a mile long waiting to order.

So much for lunch. I left.

The Cuban Coffee Queen is doing tremendous. Good for them!

Rain all day. Monsoon type rain on occasion.

Not certain about today yet.

My KONK Life column Clarence Thomas / Anita Hill appears in this morning’s E-Blast.

It aggravates me. The Saudi snub of President Obama when he arrived for the oil meetings. We have to stop kissing Saudi’s ass. They need us militarily more than we need them for anything. Saudi Arabia’s time as a world oil giant diminishes by day.

Came across an interesting statement yesterday…..It was all started by a mouse. The reference was to Mickey Mouse. The statement made by Walt Disney.

Enjoy your day!

 

INTERSECTION WATERWAYS

Happy Sunday!

No relief from the weather. Rain and wind continue. Ocean a blanket of white caps.

Yesterday afternoon it rained extremely heavy. Monsoon type rain.

South wind is rare. About a half dozen times a year. I saw it for the second time this week yesterday. Guaranteed rain!

Key West is at sea level. Flooding a problem. Especially at high tide.

I knew downtown would have flooding all over the place. For certain at some intersections. Like the intersection of Duval and Front. Another, Eaton and White. Sometimes as much as three feet. I recall once seeing some college students swimming in the Eaton/White intersection. Many times a kayak or two on Duval.

Driving difficult. Impossible to enter some streets. Decided not to go downtown last night. For fear my Volkswagen would float away or some salt water get in the engine.

Opted instead for an early movie at the Regal in the Sears Shopping Center. Four o’clock. Saw Revenant with Leonardo DiCaprio. Excellent movie. A bit gruesome. DiCaprio deserves an Academy Award for his performance.

Everyone must have had the same idea. Rainy. Go to a movie. The line to the ticket window ran all the way to the back street. Fortunately, the rain stopped during my 20 minute wait to get a ticket.

Senior citizen time. All contemporaries. No one young.

Got out at 6:30. Choice was to eat at Outback or go home. Tried Outback. Packed. Fortunately, I saw a couple leave a booth in  the bar and grabbed it.

Spent my afternoon reading and snoozing.

In December, there were two school bomb threats the same morning. One at Key West High School. The other at Marathon High School.

The police have made an arrest. A 15 year old female student at the Marathon High School. She did not make the calls. However, she is being charged as an accomplice. She provided telephone information to the male who actually made the calls.

The sadness of it all. She never met the man she provided the information to in person. Only over the internet.

We live in strange times.

Enjoy your Sunday!

 

LONG WRITING DAY

Yesterday was Sunday. Sunday is the day I write my KONK Life column.

I have wanted to write about the U.S. involvement in a war with Russia from 1917-1918. An interesting story. One few know about. The U.S. sent 13,000 troops.

The U.S. involvement was in a civil war. The Russian Civil War. The Reds/Whites battle.

We are involved in civil wars in the Middle East today. A lesson to be learned here. Ergo, I expanded the article to include civil wars and fighting wars to win. The Russian Civil War and today’s Middle East conflicts have much in common. Birds of a feather.

One problem. The longer the story, the longer it took to complete. Instead of finishing 3-4, I was at it till just after 6.

The time worth it. I was pleased with the final product. I hope you will be. The article publishes wednesday. The title: Stay Out of Civil Wars, Fight Wars To Win.

The extra time screwed up my sunday evening. I had intended to go to Kate Miano’s Gardens at 5. The sun broke late afternoon and it would have been perfect. There is always next week.

Rain. Heavy Rain. The last three days. Pours. Then stops. Only to return a couple of hours later.

The temperature is dropping also. The high today 71. 71 will be the highest all week. By weekend, the high will be down to 67. Long pants weather.

We have been lucky. December was terrific. We can handle a few weeks of cold.

New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristoff had a tongue in cheek comment in a recent article. Something to the effect that if Trump wins, he will rename the White House Trump Palace.

Iran and Saudi Arabia are at each other’s throats. These Middle East wars are civil wars. Based on religion. It is the Sunni/Shia battle which has been ongoing since just after the Prophet Muhammad’s death. The issue is which sect will lead the Muslims. Over 300 hundred years and still not resolved.

We are crazy to be involved. We should get out. We have been involved steadily in the Middle East in one fashion or another for fifteen years. Not our war!

Read an interesting comment somewhere this week. Cannot recall which publication. I read constantly. In any event, the comment was to the effect that Americans should not fight each other so much. We are not enemies but Americans first. We help ISIS when we destroy each other.

Enjoy your day!

RAGNAR

The Ragnar dispute is ongoing. My knowledge of the situation was limited. I did some homework. Research. I share with you what I learned. If anything I write is incorrect, let me know.

Ragnar is a business. Apparently a good one. Ragnar “sponsors” two day relay races across the country. One of those places has been the Florida Keys. All the way down to Key West.

Many locals are opposed to permitting the Ragnar race this year. Ragnar is willing to make any adjustments to obtain official approval.

The facts.

Six thousand will race. One thousand vans will support the 6,000 runners. The numbers overwhelming. Especially for the two lane highway most of the way. A major traffic problem.

Ragnar says worry not. From Marathon to Key  west, the race will take place on the trail or bicycle path on the south side of US 1. The path is 4-5 feet wide. Six thousand people? It would take forever. It is inevitable. The runners will spill over into the highway.

Money involved. Big dollars. Running to Ragnar. A terrific business!

The runners consist of 12 person teams. Dividing 12 into the 6,000 runners makes for 500 teams. Each team pays an entrance fee of $1,260 to $1,620. Multiplying $1,260 by 500 teams totals $630,000. Wow!

Ragnar is a non-profit organization. I learned long ago there is profit in non-profit.

What, if anything, does Ragnar contribute to defray the public’s costs? Things like extra police, safety personnel, clean up, etc. Forget the most important thing. The inconvenience to Keys residents and non-running visitors.

I agree with local leaders who have heard the cries of their constituents. Ragnar should not be permitted to race.

Anti-gravity treadmill yesterday. I am up to 4.5 miles per hour!

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

Topics will include some brief observations from this week’s KONK Life column Helen Sperling…..Holocaust Survivor. One of her comments: “The nights still belong to Hitler.” Buchenwald never left her.

Other topics include a boy who spent 40 days in jail for allegedly throwing a snowball that broke a police car window, the off duty cop who shot a neighbor in the head after previously having been on paid leave for killing a man.

Also, buried in the proposed highway bill a provision that the IRS be permitted to lift the passport of anyone owing more than $50,000 unpaid, 72 Department of Homeland Security personnel on the terrorist list, France moving far to the right, the Jordanian who tried to open a Lufthansa door while in flight shouting he wanted himself and the passengers to join Allah, and more.

Great evening at the Chart Room last night. Spent good time with Kevin.

Cool last night. 71 degrees. Cold for locals. Days in high 70s. No problem.

The weather strange this past week. Rain, rain, and more rain. Weather man says there is a stalled front over us.

Trump creating a furor re his wanting to bar Muslims from travel to the U.S. St.  Petersburg Mayor Rick Krisemus announced yesterday Trump is banned from entering St. Petersburg. Tit for tat.

Enjoy your day!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NORML

Title spelled correctly. Did not intend to type Normal.

NORML is an organization whose mission is to move public opinion sufficiently to legalize the responsible use of marijuana. Its further mission is to serve as a consumer advocate for access to high quality marijuana that is safe, convenient and affordable.

The organization is not a Johnny come lately. It is 45 years old. Its membership consists primarily of marijuana defense lawyers.

NORMAL has a one week seminar each year. Attorneys attend from all over the U.S. It traditionally has been meeting in Key West for many years. Most often at the Pier House. The actual title of the meeting is the NORML Key West Legal Seminar.

This is their week. The Chart Room was packed last night with seminar attendees. Drinking, not smoking.

My yesterdays generally begin the same way. With the anti-gravity treadmill at Body Owners. Yesterday morning was quiet. Unusual. I went at it again with 30 seconds of high speed and two minutes slow. Supposed to strengthen my heart.

Had to rush home afterwards. Every friday at 12:30, I am interviewed on the KONK News Radio Show. The topic is the subject matter of that week’s KONK Life column. Yesterday, The Eiffel Tower.

The Chart Room first last night. Searching for Jean Thornton. She had telephoned earlier and we agreed to meet at the Chart Room for a drink. We ended up a foursome. Sheila and Stephanie were part of the group. Us in the middle of the pot lawyers.

Cheryl and Roger were at the Chart Room also. Sitting at the round table with some friends.

Decided to go straight home afterwards. About half way there, my stomach started to growl. I was hungry. Stopped at Outback for lamb chops. Outback a locals place. Good value for the money. Always packed.

We have had two consecutive days of heavy rain. More predicted for later this morning. Whoever is responsible for the rain apparently is not aware this is not Key West’s rainy season.

The Christmas Parade is tonight. Hope it is not rained out. A terrific event! Especially for kids.

I mentioned some strange nature happenings yesterday. Forgot one.

Each morning on rising, I look out my bedroom window. About a hundred yards distant at the entrance to Cypress Lake sits a buoy of sorts. A warning post. It marks low water. Boats are warned to avoid the area.

I have lived in my Key West home 16 years. Look out the window each morning when I rise. Always see the thing bouncing in the water. A couple of days ago, it was different. I could actually see the ground holding it. The tide must have been out. However, the water level lower than normal for low tide. There was a circle of land exposed around the warning buoy. Ten feet in diameter.

Which raises the question. Sea levels have been rising for years. Why was this the first time I saw land exposed?

I mentioned several weeks ago La Trattoria was closed and would be reopening after Fantasy Fest. It finally opened last night at 5. Remodeling the reason for the closing and delay. There was a sinking problem in part of the first floor not anticipated which required more time for the project to be completed.

Syracuse/Georgetown at 1. On FOX. Georgetown a 5 1/2 point favorite.

This will be the first of 9 games Boeheim will be sitting out. Hopkins will be coaching. Hopkins perfect to assume the responsibility. He has been waiting years. When the time comes that Boeheim retires, the head coaching job is his. It has already been agreed in writing that Hopkins will succeed Boeheim.

OPEC crying about oil prices being dramatically low. Too bad. Let them cry. They got fat off the rest of the world for decades. Never forget, they gave us $4 a gallon gasoline.

The couple who did the shooting in San Bernardino. Something I do not understand. Traditionally, children always come first. One’s own children especially. The couple had a six month daughter who they left with the grandmother when they went out to terrorize.

The couple had to know they would die. Or be jailed for years. Where was their concern for the child? How could their Islamic beliefs outweigh that responsibility?

Enjoy your day!

 

 

THE NATURE OF THINGS

When it wants, nature commands.

Very early yesterday morning, I stepped out onto my deck. I was amazed at the calm. There are many days when everything appears calm, but yet there is a slight movement in a palm leaf or something. Yesterday, no movement. Nothing at all.

Reminded me of Hurricane Georges. The night before was the same. Quiet. Peaceful. Absolutely nothing moving.

I learned back then the meaning of calm before the storm. Georges hit hard the next day. So too the storming yesterday afternoon and last night. Extremely heavy rain. Joined by thunder and lightning throughout the night.

Yesterday began with the anti-gravity treadmill. Continued with the 30 second fast thing. Increased the speed more than previously.

Then to Lee Nails and Tammy for a manicure and pedicure. Lee Nails amazes me. Tammy and her husband have built a huge following.

There was a break in the rain at dinner time. I decided on Hogfish. Mentally it seemed like the place to be after the rain. I was right. You could taste and smell the rain. All pleasant. Enjoyed my time at the bar.

I screwed up. I mentioned the other day that the Boat Parade was this saturday. Fortunately, I received many e-mails correcting me. The Boat Parade is a week from saturday. This saturday is the Christmas Parade. An event! Enjoy it somewhere along Truman.

Boeheim’s NCAA appeal has been decided. The only change was that the 9 game penalty begins saturday with the Georgetown game. Instead of at the beginning of the ACC season. A better result than before. Still sucks.

A raw deal for Boeheim. He had no direct tie to the charges. Which in and of themselves did not warrant the overall harshness of the original decision.

Few know the composition of and how the NCAA works. Worthy of a column at some point.

I have not been a fan of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops for some time. They are a traditional group to the far right. Similar to the Protestant religious far right. The Bishops are generally in opposition to the changes Pope Francis is working to bring about.

The bishops recently met in Baltimore. Note that many did not show up for the scheduled meeting. Those present prepared a political document to guide Catholic voters.

The nerve of them! Priests belong in church preaching God’s word from the pulpit. Not in the public market place telling me and other Catholics how we should vote.

The bishops are way out of line.

Trump is beginning to get under my skin again. When asked how things will get done, he says it’s all about management. Skillful management contributed to the death of six million Jews.

Trump is a loose cannon.

Syracuse plays Georgetown tomorrow. A battle between former Big East foes. Syracuse/Georgetown games were always exciting and hard fought. Tomorrow should be interesting. The game is at 1 on FOX.

My weekly interview on KONK News takes place on local radio 104.9 at 12:15 today. Fifteen minutes of me answering questions and discussing this week’s KONK Life column The Eiffel Tower.

Enjoy your day!