Has Iran succeeded in reaching U.S. soil?

Fort McNair is located in Washington, D.C. One night in the past 10 days, drones flew over Fort McNair. Our government claims it is uncertain as to their source. No deaths or damage reported. Nor was any explosion.

Concern great. For security reasons, Rubio and Hegseth had moved on the base to reside. Since the drone fly over, they have been advised to move again. They have refused.

The drones have been described as “multiple and unidentified.”

A concern. Why did Trump and the government wait some 10 days to tell the American public? Was it the government who released the information or some other source? Our people have a right to know. Good, bad or indifferent.

Did Trump fear the existence of the drones over American soil would make him look bad?

The drone information somehow became public for the first time this morning. Trump better advise the American people of the facts as he knows them by the end of this morning. Again, the American people have a right to know.

Another concern. If not Iran or an Iranian friend, who shot the drones over Fort McNair and Washington, D.C. Who? Trump? Trump to garner the American public to his side? The American people have a definite right to know if this is the case.

Trump’s alleged sex with young girls seems to be breaking. Some more yesterday. A bit. Not much, but more. The Epstein papers must be released!

Congressional Republicans seem to be weakening re the release of the Epstein documents. Rumor perhaps 100.

Trump’s affordability approval has crashed to 26 percent. Good job, Donald! 

The Pentagon is seeking more than $200 billion for the Iran War. Doubtful Congress will approve that amount.

Trump floating “finishing off” Iran. I doubt Trump’s capacity to do so. He killed some of Iran’s top people. He bombed the hell out of the Iranian people. Yet the Iranians continue to hang in there. Another Ukraine!

Iran will continue in the war till they have “retribution.” It is part of their nature. Some top U.S. people must die first. Perhaps the U.S. must also experience significant property damage also.

The Iran War has caused oil prices to spike, leading gasoline prices to their highest level since 2023. No ceiling on gasoline prices till the Iran War is resolved.

Didn’t Trump and his administration take into account how the war would affect oil and gas prices? Obviously not, or if they knew they did not care. Trump expected a quick victory. Another mistake on his part.

Trump now wants his face on a U.S. gold coin. An American gold coin group has rejected it. Trump will pursue it further.

My Greek friend Theo telephoned me from Greece. He and his lady friend Tina will be visiting Key West for one week beginning April 7. Good people!

Spring officially begins tomorrow at 10:46 a.m. ET.

Texas Western, now known as UTEP, was the first basketball team to win the NCAA Championship with an all Black starting lineup. The year was 1966. My Dad and I watched the Championship game together on TV from his living room.

Packages processed and delivered everyday by USPS total on the average 23.5 million.

Combat in the air common place today. Planes attacking each other. The first U.S. air combat mission occurred this day in 1916.

Key West weather will remain on the cool side today. Temperature 69-73. For me, warm begins at 74. Everyone has a different level.

A study reveals love makes an injury heal twice as fast.

I have a haircut with Lori at noon. Later lunch with Steve and a house guest visiting him. Lunch should be fun.

Enjoy your day!

Two of my favorite water spots include the lower Keys and Cape Cod. Both frequented by sharks. 

A surprise. The shark population overall everywhere has plummeted by 71 percent over the last 50 years. Reason: Overfishing based on a demand for fins and meat. 

I was not aware. Were you?

Nevertheless, practice caution when you swim. One shark bite could do you in.

Today’s blog a mix and match. A little bit of everything.

Interesting Washington Post article this morning. Subject matter: Middle of the night insomnia has become common. Waking around 3 a.m. Not able to return to sleep. I know. Happens to me about three times a week.

Trump did good in attacking Iran. Not for the U.S. Good for other countries. The primary benefactor may be China, with Russia a distant second. The U.S. could win in name only. Trump personally will come out a loser.

Epstein documents must be released. Trump doing everything to keep them under control and secret. Makes him look suspicious. More than suspicious. The truth will come out at some point.

My sense is Trump is renewing and/or exposing his true relationship with Putin. The Iran War is doing it. Some say the relationship goes back in time to Trump, Putin and Epstein.

It is coming out that Putin and Russia are big into pedophilia and sex slavery. Goes back years ago to Epstein. Epstein was more powerful than most were aware. He was into arms sales and major money transfers. And, promoting young ladies.

Trump says he can “take” Cuba. Adds “I can do anything I want with it.”

A false bravado. No big deal. Cuba is experiencing poverty on a large scale. Electrical power gone. Anyone could walk in and take the island over.

Cold last night in Key West! Had to sleep under a heavy blanket. The high today only 71 degrees.

A bad disease infected a man in Key West. He died this day in 1909 of leprosy in a house on Virginia Street. The house and all contents were destroyed by fire under the direction of Fire Chief Fulferd.

Grover Cleveland: “Men and times change – but principles – never.”

Actress and first Black Miss America Vanessa Williams was born this day in 1963.

The first person to walk in space was Cosmonaut Alexi Leonov. He did so this day in 1963.

Trump says he wants to replace the Trump Kennedy Center floor with a marble one. Italy recently recreated the footprints of the long columns at Rome’s Colosseum in marble. Is Trump playing copy cat?

The marble used by Rome the same travertine marble of ancient Rome. The original marble columns were built 2,000 years ago.

A woman activist and supporter of women’s rights, Susan B. Anthony, died this day in 1906. One of the phrases for which she is remembered: “Organize, agitate, educate, must be our war cry.”

The length of my blogs is interesting. Yesterday around 1,000 words. Today 500. Length of the blog depends on quality and length of the news. Long blog, great and lengthy news. Short, a blah news day. Or maybe it is me and how I feel? This morning I feel terrific. Blog should be long. The news sucked today. So it is the news and not me. 

Enjoy your day.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

I find the day uniquely interesting. Everyone is Irish, regardless of color or ethnic background. Too bad the whole world cannot behave that way every day.

Ever hear of an “Irish goodbye?” Leaving a party or social event without saying goodbye. Considered impolite. Considered a thing Americans do on occasion. In Ireland, perfectly ok. England calls it the “French leave.” France, “Filer a l’anglaise.”

In modern slang, it’s “ghosting” or merely “ducking out.” 

Chicago turns its Chicago River green on St. Patrick’s Day. Bright green. The event began in 1962 under Chicago’s Mayor Richard Daley. 

I was in Chicago in the 1980s for several days on business. One of the days was St. Patrick’s Day when at 10 a.m. the water turned green. Bright green. Tons of dye were dumped into the River to cause the green effect. People lining the bridges and river banks. Everyone cheering. A crazy happy event!

The first St. Patrick’s Day Parade was held in what eventually became St. Augustine, Florida. At the time it was merely a Spanish settlement. The colony had an Irish Vicar, Ricardo Artur.

Moving on to Donald Trump. A must to write a bit of him, the Iran War, and whatever else.

Trump is disparaging U.S. Allies for rebuffing his requests for military assistance. Trump says now that he has been rejected: “We don’t need anybody.” At the same time claiming several countries had agreed to help reopen and keep reopened the Strait of Hormuz. I do not believe the representations made in the previous sentence.

Trump pissed on these countries with tariffs and whatever other indignities. Now he comes hat in hand expecting their help.

Europe and the U.K. pushed back with a loud “no.” Their position: “This not our war!”

Trump started the war. The U.S. was not attacked. A big difference. A war without reason. In many instances without consultation with the countries he now seeks help from. A war having no basis. Trump went to war with grossly inadequate preparation. Did not prepare the American public. Did not seek U.N. approval. Respectfully, he was thinking with his head up his ass.

Trump is leading the Iran War standing alone. His generals warned him. Recall General Cane’s trying to dissuade him. Trump now screwed as is the U.S. and most other countries. Good job, Donald!

In the last Presidential election, Trump sold young voters with his “vision.” One that sucked, but the young did not see it. Now many are having buyer’s remorse. 

The Iran War is roughly 3 weeks old. Things already going bad for the U.S. If the war continues three more weeks, things will be even worse for the U.S. Considerably so.

Trump continues to work at screwing up American structural institutions. He fails to understand history is what it is and should not be changed.

Trump working on the Kennedy Center again. Wants to close down the Center for two years to correct what he claims are structural and internal deficiencies.

He went to the Center’s Board for permission. He got it last night. Of course. The Board’s members all appointed by him.

A shame in the making! The man does not understand leaving well enough alone is the best route to take with many things.

Credit must be given for food items which dropped in price the past year. Only two stand out. Better than nothing. Trump appears responsible. Eggs the biggie. Down 42.1 percent. Butter a far second having come down 7.6 percent.

Moving on. There is another world not involving Trump.

The University of Florida has a chapter of College Republicans. A photo was taken of one of its leaders at a chapter meeting giving the Nazi salute. The University deactivated the club till a new leader could be elected. Joke or serious, the Nazi salute bespeaks of sick days which should not be recalled today whether seriously or jokingly. I thought the University was lenient in the way it treated the organization.

It was supposed to be a good day weather wise, though the high would be a mere 73 degrees. Rain was predicted at 18 percent. Poured like hell all night. Now 8 a.m. and still pouring.

Big time college basketball begins tonight. It will eventually lead to the Final Four. The NCAA College Basketball Tournament. Exciting!

I was into college basketball big time in the 1980s and 1990s.Follwed Syracuse all the way to its Championship victory in 2003. Even more than exciting! I cannot describe the thrill of being at the Final Four game and Syracuse winning! I was a basketball freak in those days.

Jim Boeheim was a great coach. Won around 1,000 games while coaching Syracuse. He became a personal friend over the years.

Boeheim took Syracuse to 35 NCAA tournament appearances, 20 Sweet 16s, 5 Final Fours, as well as the 2003 National Championship.

The U.S crawling with releasing significant information re the Epstein files. Congress seems to be covering a multitude of asses. Europe way ahead of us with disclosures. No question, it appears the U.S. is hiding something. 

A U.S. court and a handful of the women abused as young girls have proven otherwise. The ladies sued Bank of America for facilitating Epstein’s activities. Bank of America settled with them. The specific amount not yet disclosed.

Doctors did not always wear white. Till the late 1800s, they wore black.

The life expectancy for males is 76.5 years. I’m 90. Already way beyond the average. God is good! Hope He continues to bear with me. My mind is great. My body falling apart, however. One can’t have everything!

It is thought most wives do not like their husbands. A reason given is because so many women wanted to be a bride and never gave thought to being a wife. I don’t know. Husband/wife relationships are beyond me.

Enough for today. 

Enjoy your day! Enjoy St. Patrick’s Day! Indulge in a green beer or two!

Are Americans being denied information re damage to two American carriers? The USS Abraham Lincoln and the USS Gerald Ford.

It was announced a couple of nights ago that the Lincoln which had been protecting oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz had been struck by Iranian missiles and drones. Photos were splashed over the internet. The first time an American carrier had received enemy fire in more than 50 years. Despite the photos, Trump denied any damage to the Lincoln. His typical fashion, of course.

The next day a comment that the Ford had received damage. Terminology uncertain. Appeared first to have occurred somewhere in or near the Strait of Hormuz. The next day represented as merely a relatively small fire while the Ford was in the Mediterranean. 

Since that time, no further mention of the two carriers. Note a few days before the Lincoln had been struck, Trump’s people announced news releases re the Iran war would be scrutinized before being released. The press was claimed to have been “distorting” news releases.

It was mentioned the USS Harry Truman was needed in Iranian waters. However it was not available since undergoing repairs in the U.S.

Carriers are important. Especially since we have them and Iran not. However, Iran achieved some success with the Lincoln. Totally unexpected success.

Why no more news? I went through tons of newspapers looking for further comment. Found nothing. I am uncomfortable if Trump or his people are intentionally withholding information re the Lincoln and Ford. You should be also if such is the case.

Trump claims Iran is about to surrender. Good luck! No peace talks while Iran can bomb the Lincoln and until Iran gets even for the Ayatollah’s death.

The Dow Jones went over $100 a gallon for oil again. Caused the stock market to drop. The Dow Jones largest single day point drop was this day in 2020. It dropped 2,997 points.

Oil hit $106 a barrel as nations worry about supply. I doubt Trump and his “brilliant staff” considered after affects of the War’s initiation. 

Bangladesh is 2,000 miles away. It is having an energy problem. Electricity big. Schools closed till the end of the month. Its garment industry in trouble. Garment work a major industry that ships world wide.  And so it goes.

Trump wants help protecting the Strait of Hormuz. Otherwise, many of the world’s nations will not have enough energy to continue with their productions.

Yes, everyone’s problem. However, Trump created it and he should resolve it. He expects Britain, France, South Korea and China to help. Warships from them to the Strait of Hormuz to begin if they decide to do so.

Is Trump crazy? Sure everyone has a need. But again it is Trump’s problem to resolve. What I fear would occur if these nations were to help as Trump suggests would eventually be World War III.

Barron does not have an Achilles heel problem as his father does. Age wise he is eligible for the military. Should he join and do his part?

Turns out he does have a physical problem. He is too tall at 6 feet 9 inches. The military’s height limit is 6 foot 8 inches.

There is no draft. Could he nevertheless volunteer for certain jobs?

Trump fund raising off Iranian dead. An e-mail under Never Surrender with an official photo of his. The baseball cap one at Dover Air Force Base. Any contributions will receive “classified information” from him. 

Trump is crazy! Never lets the opportunity to make a buck pass him by. Shameful!

Trump wants to change everything of historical significance. I think he is too  much! Now it is the columns of the White House’s front entrance. They are roughly 200 years old. He wishes to replace them with more ornate Corinthian styled ones.

Mr. President, leave my White House alone! You have already screwed up enough of it.

So much of Trump for today.

Moving on. 

One third of Americans skip meals or other needs to afford health care. Another thank you, Donald.

A Swiftly Survey in December showed 68 percent of Americans struggling to afford groceries. I believe it! I shop too!

Another warm Key West day. Low 80s.

The Ides of March. Julius Caesar assassinated by Brutus and others this day in 44 BCE.

McDonald’s sales down because of customer “uncertainty.” The lower class purchasers feeling the economic impact imposed by Trump’s actions. The lowest economic drop in McDonald’s history since 2020.

Earth’s days are getting longer at a rate unprecedented in 3.6 million years. The reason multi-faceted. Experts say nothing to worry about.

Interesting question. Why are waiting rooms filled with old magazines? Where are the new ones? Researchers say the answer is simple. Patients, customers, etc. walk off with the new ones.

Boston is frequently listed as the happiest city in the U.S. Boston also tops the list of the best city to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.

Enough.

Enjoy your day!

St. Patrick’s Day soon. March 17th. One day a year. A day of massive celebration for many.

I have spent my active partying St. Patrick Day’s in 3 communities. New York City. Key West and Utica, N.Y. All good. However some better than the others. The best New York City. Followed by Key West and Utica in that order.

Nothing could compare to New York City. Enjoyed my St. Patrick Days while attending college in New York. I recall one very clearly. I was in the ROTC at the time. Ergo I marched up 5th Avenue in Air Force attire. Loved it! Something special. Especially when we passed St. Patrick’s Cathedral and heard the sharp Eyes Right to honor the Cardinal!

The partying after the parade the absolute best. As only New York City could provide.

I recall one St. Patrick’s Day especially. We had planned where we would party. We needed a hotel room. Picked out the Biltmore. The problem was how to reserve the room, how to register, how for all of us to get to the room, how to get 3 suitcases full of booze to the room, how to get a ton of girls to the room. Not easy.

One of our group had a friend of his make a reservation through his father’s company in Philadelphia. He was a retired service man. Looked older than the rest of us. Show up at registration dressed like a business man. Homburg and all. Got away with the registration!

The problem were the suitcases loaded with booze. Heavy! I thought the bell man was going to get a rupture when he tried to pick them up.

Our dressed up person who had registered quickly went over and hand him a $20 bill. Big money in the mid 1950s. The bell man understood and handled the bags well thereafter.

I had a difficult time getting to the room several floors up. Note I was 19 or 20 and was dressed in an ROTC Air Force uniform. A dead give away for a college student.. The Biltmore was ready for people like us. The elevators were impossible to get on. The lobby stairs to the floors were guarded by Biltmore personnel. Ingenuity was called for.

I went to one stair case. The Biltmore guard easily recognized I was a student. As he took a step or two to stop me, I darted left as he moved right and ran behind him and up the stairs. The guard was probably 50 years old. He only lasted 2 floors before he gave up the chase. Nothing like youth to be a winner!

Several floors later, I made the room. Jam packed. Guys and girls. Wow, I thought. A great time ahead.

And it was.

I ended up in the bathtub with a lovely from Manhattanville. The curtain remained closed. We remained fully clothe. Only necking. Eventually she and I fell asleep.

Suddenly, the curtain was pulled and someone yelled…..What are you doing here?…..Get out! Three Biltmore older personnel were in the room. We were the only two students remaining. We had been overlooked when the crowd had been thrown out.

I was sober. The girl drunk. I dragged her down and over to Grand Central. I assumed she needed a train to Manhattanville. Fortunately we ran into several of her girl friends. They were happy to have found her, I was happy to get her off my hands.

The following weekend I went to a dance at Manhattanville hoping to run into my bathtub companion. I did. Went over to talk with her. She apparently did not like the way I looked. Did not recognize me at all. Gave me no time to bring to her attention the previous week. She left.

She really did not recognize me nor did I meet whatever her standards might have been. Manhattanville was a rich girls’ school, Manhattan College my school a poor boy’s school. The difference in our economic status was obvious. I was not Brooks Brothers attired. I was wearing a suit I had purchased for $15 from a factory outlet.

Such was life in those days.

At 90 years old, I will not be going to downtown Key West today. In fact, I have not celebrated a St. Patrick’s Day in years because of my age. No problem, I can live in my memories of them.

Enjoy your St. Patrick’s Day or memories of earlier happy ones!

Note: My apologies for getting the date of St. Patrick’s Day wrong. It’s the 17th, not the 15th. My good friends Fran and Tom Dixon from Buffalo let me know in a phone call I had erred. I find since the stroke, my mind makes these type errors.

I have been under the weather the past 3-4 days. Big time! Strictly bed time. Ergo, no blog. Tried each morning, but the energy was not there. Sorry.

Feel much better this morning. So, here I go!

We’ll start with Donald Trump. A multitude of sins to explore.

Trump said on tweet yesterday something that makes no sense to me. He said in effect increasing oil prices are good. : ” The United States is the largest Oil Producer in the World, so when oil prices go up we make a lot of money.”

A perverted statement! Lacks thinking!

I am already paying for gasoline at the pump in Key West Over $4 a gallon. $4.25 on the average yesterday. An increase of roughly one dollar per gallon in less than a week.

Trump forgets Americans are paying increased gas and oil prices, as well as increased cost for everyday goods purchased. Ergo Americans are paying increased prices which help contribute to the extra monies which Trump is so proud of. Makes us the whipping boys. Sort of a form of double taxation, also.

Bad, bad, bad! The bombing of the girls’ elementary school where more than 100 young ladies were killed. 

In short time, it was determined the U.S. had bombed the school. Trump denied it. Said Iran was responsible. Then Trump said “maybe.” Thereafter it came out that the school was mistakenly on the U.S.’s military list of buildings to be destroyed. Trump has yet to acknowledge and bear responsibility. Hegseth says he is looking into it. What a joke!

Shows the type of preparation that went into the war.

Oil has jumped to $100 a barrel. Stock prices continue sliding.

Good job, Donald! Iran won’t beat us. We will beat ourselves.

Trump recently mentioned a theme he has mentioned frequently in the past: “We’re winning so much.” He speaks thusly to cover our economic jitters. Only Trump, his family and oil supporters are coming out ahead. Ordinary U.S. citizens not.

Trump says U.S. hawks are “obliterating” Iranian military targets. Most recently, he struck Kharg Island. A major hit! An oil export hub.

Trump’s move to seize oil tankers will cost the U.S. tens of millions of dollars.

What a wasteful expensive war! Donald has to be benefiting in some fashion. He rarely does something for nothing. In this instance is he still paying back the approximately $100 million in campaign funds he received prior to the last Presidential campaign from oil and gas interests. Something I wrote about in a recent blog.

The oil and gas monies being represented from $75 million to $100 million. The fossil industry also involved. They are reported to have contributed $96 million. How can Trump serve two masters at one time who have competing interests? The man will take money from most anyone and apparently not care about competing interests.

It must be emphasized that oil is the primary reason Trump invaded Iran. Not to prevent a nuclear war or replace its leader as he claimed. Oil!!! To pay off in a fashion those oil and gas producers, etc. who contributed close to $100 million dollars to his campaign. Don’t let Trump bullshit you otherwise.

Oh, how vanity plays a part in the Trump administration! Definitely with Trump. Also with Hegseth. An incompetent inexperienced Cabinet member. Purportedly involved in the planning of the Iran War.

Note Hegseth’s vanity problem. His picture was taken when he was making a face of sorts. It was published. He is upset it was published. Ergo a new rule for the Pentagon. Hegseth has barred personal photographs of Pentagon personnel who may be “unfitting.” Who decides “unfitting?” I would assume Hegseth. Guaranteed he will look “beautiful” in all future photos. Bothers me since he must have more important things to worry about.

Trump’s incessant bombing of Iran has created a significant health problem. Not just injuries or death. It is the air Iranians now breathe. They have no choice. It is called “black rain.” 

A long blog already and primarily concerning Trump. So I am ending at this point with a prediction. You may think I am crazy, but it is what I believe.

I am sticking my neck out, but my gut dictates the following.

TRUMP WILL END THE IRAN WAR WITHIN ONE TO TWO WEEKS. HE WILL CLAIM VICTORY. ACKNOWLEDGE HE DID NOT GET EVERYTHING. HOWEVER DID SUCCEED IN ONE GOAL. HE GOT RID OF AYATOLLAH AS SUPREME LEADER. THE FACT HIS SON SUCCEEDED HIM HE WILL FIND IMMATERIAL.

Trump’s motivation to end the war is he rarely stays long in anything he begins. Additionally, the War is costing too much money. American citizens are increasingly unhappy. He is blowing the midterms for Republicans. He is screwing up the world economically. Especially as concerns oil.

Glad to be back!

Enjoy your day! 

It was in the year 1939 that Judy Garland sang “Over the Rainbow” in the “Wizard of Oz.” Moving words beginning with “Somewhere over the rainbow way up high and the dreams that you dream of once in a lullaby…..”

I saw the movie one year later when I was 5 years old with Phil and Lois, two older cousins. The movie was so good we sat through it two times.

Beware! A super El Nino projected for later in the year.

Alexander Butterfield who revealed the Nixon White House tapes died recently. He was 99 years old.

Spring break travel ahead. Expected to be chaos.

Epstein also had a facility for his “girls” in the U.S. In addition to his famous island. A property in New Mexico, south of Santa Fe. Nearest neighbors miles away. Epstein called it the Zorro Ranch.

Alexander Graham Bell’s first words transmitted over the telephone: “Mr. Watson, come here. I want to see you.”

There are crocodiles everywhere in certain parts of Australia. Heavy rains have caused rivers to rise. Providing crocodiles with access to adjoining lands.  People evacuating certain communities like crazy. That bad.

The town of Nauiyu/Daly evacuated Sunday afternoon.

A study revealed the world’s deadliest animals. Mosquitos the most dangerous. Snakes second.

U.S. Presidents need time to relax. Some developed unusual daily habits. John Quincy Adams skinny dipped in the Potomac. Calvin Coolidge rode a mechanical horse. Franklin Delano Roosevelt collected stamps. Harry Truman took vigorous 5 a.m. walks and enjoyed a morning bourbon. John Kennedy smoked 4-5 cigars every day. Lyndon Johnson held meetings in the bathroom while seated on the toilet. Ronald Reagan constantly snacked on jelly beans.

Not all Presidents did well in school. Some who did poorly in undergraduate studies excelled in their lifetime work and later as President included Ulysses S. Grant, Herbert Hoover, Dwight D. Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, and Ronald Reagan.

Most consider rainbows as arches. Not accurate Rainbows are actually full circles. We only view a portion of the circle which appears as an arch.

Donald Trump time.

Oil prices soar , then flippity flop, as Trump sends mixed messages. He is all over the place, especially as to War messages.

U.S. cost for munitions thus far in Iran $5.6 billion. A waste of monies.

Trump rarely knows what he is doing for the Nation. He knows what he is doing for himself and his family, however.

An example of his doing this and that and his mistake obvious with the passage of time. He slashed tons of federal jobs. One of his earliest practices. Now he is ramping up hiring.

Typical Trump move. Does things wrong. Hires inexperienced people. When things screw up, he lies to cover his error. Always blames someone or something else.

Trump’s ability to lower oil prices is limited. The Iranian War concerns me in this regard. Wasn’t Trump aware of what would follow with oil prices when he and his cohorts were deciding war or no war?

The girls’ elementary school bombing coming down to having been caused by the U.S. Everyone but Trump sees it clearly at this point. He blames Iran. The man does not know how to speak truth. Yesterday, he backed off a bit. Said in effect it could be U.S……bad things happen in war.

The respected writer Thomas L. Friedman has an Opinion piece in today’s New York Times: “Trump Has No Idea How To End the War with Iran.”

Not surprising.

The Strait of Hormuz is the key to oil prices. Oil tankers not moving as they did before the War. Trump trying to remedy the situation. Says he might send U.S. ships to protect the oil tankers as they move through the Strait. 

Eighty percent of the oil actually goes to Asia. Normally 80 ships oil ladened daily. The other day, only 2. If 80 percent commonly to Asia, the U.S. getting a piece, not all, of the remaining 20 percent. Not much. Why then are our oil and gas prices affected and will be affected even more? Are the oil and gas companies gouging us?

Now for another piece of Senator Murphy’s expose of what he claims is Trump corruption.

On January 27, Trump fired Gwynne Wilcox from the NLRB, the National Relations Labor Board. She was Chairman. When she was fired, the NLRB could not function any longer. Why? Because she was replaced by Elon Musk who was put in charge and would be the person to review the hirings and firings of energy agencies. Musk has lots of cases before the NLRB. As did the people standing behind Trump at the inauguration. Almost all of them have active cases before the NLRB. The billionaires supporting Donald Trump know they don’t have to worry about the NLRB because on January 27, the NLRB is rendered powerless.

Enough.

Enjoy your day!

The killing of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has raised the red flag of “revenge” in Iran. Iranian blood has been spilled and must be revenged.

The responsibility falls on the shoulders of Ayatollah’s son Mojtaba Khamenei who has been named Iran’s new Supreme Leader. He must avenge not only his father, but also his mother, sister, other relatives and more than 1,000 Iranian citizens now dead because of the War.

“No revenge is mine,” sayeth the Lord in Iran. 

How will the revenge come? Will it mean Trump’s death? Deaths of Americans on U.S. shores? Interesting because it is said Iran has no way of reaching U.S. shores.

Time will tell.

What comes next in Iran? Hard to tell if it is true Trump did not plan the War beyond the initial attacks.

In the U.S., home fuel and gasoline prices rising. Home fuel faster than gasoline.

However expect gasoline prices to skyrocket at some point. The problem a serious one.

Will there be a return to the 1970s. I recall them clearly. Forget expense. Availability at any price the issue. Waiting in line for blocks to reach a gas station and hoping that when you reached a pump there would be gasoline available. The New York State Thruway a major problem. Cars lined in the traffic lanes one or two miles to get to a station and hopefully some gasoline left for you.

I ran out of gasoline in the middle of the night on the Thruway. My wife and parents with me. We slept till morning in the car till gas was delivered to the station.

The DOW dropped another 500 points yesterday. The droppage has only just begun. In the first two days, we have also experienced a 1,000 and 450 point drop.

It will drop even further.

Trump’s reelection was a mistake. The whole world will end up paying.

Enough of the War for today. Time for one more of Senator Murphy’s representations re Trump’s alleged corruption this year alone.

This one occurred on February 20. Trump instituted a new energy agenda. His agenda simple yet fruitful financially. Trump had met with the oil and gas industry during the campaign. A deal was cut. The oil and gas industry would give one billion dollars in campaign contributions in order to receive favorable treatment when Trump was sworn in.

What happened on January 20 when Trump was sworn in? He unveiled his energy strategy. It preferred oil and gas. It punished oil and gas competitors. Froze all permits on wind projects, Both on land and sea. Undercut permitting for oil and gas competitors.

Oil and gas got exactly what they “paid for.” Favorable treatment.

Even more, five days later Trump fired seventeen Inspectors General. Eliminated many whose jobs were to look for corruption in the oil and gas agencies. Senator Murphy said, “What do you do if you are looking for corruption, if you are trying to steal from the American people? You fire the Inspectors General.”

So much for today. I am a bit under the weather and it’s back to bed for me.

Enjoy your day!

Joe Di Maggio was a popular American baseball player who simply stated was a nice guy. I write about him today noting he died on this day in 1999.

Joe was another popular person I had the privilege to meet and know. We met for the first time some 50 years ago at a golf course in Miami. It was his course. I was a frequent guest. The name of the course escapes me. One of the problems that goes with being 90 years old.

Someone introduced me to Joe. We had a drink together. This happened frequently thereafter. A hello and drink in the club room. Also a hello when passing on the golf course. 

In Utica, there was a neighborhood Italian restaurant called Ventura’s. Rufie Ventura owned and operated it. Once a year, he sponsored a golf tournament. We played golf and then ate some great Italian delicacies at Ventura’s. In addition to the outstanding food, Rufie always had a special guest. A prominent figure. Once or twice it was Joe Di Maggio. 

Utica was an Italian town. Everyone was impressed that Joe and I knew each other. We would hug and chat. I would introduce him around. I was a “big man.” Joe Di Maggio was my friend!

The man was Hall of Fame player. One of the best professional baseball players. The famous #5. 

Last Friday on March 6, Senator Chris Murphy spoke on the U.S. Senate floor claiming to expose the “unprecedented corruption” of Trump’s six weeks in office. The corruption beginning February 17. Murphy labeled the corruption one of the worst in U.S. history. He shared instances of the normalization of pay-to-play politics, where billionaires dictated policy and taxpayer monies funneled into the pockets of Trump, Elon Musk, and corporate elite.

I shall share some of Murphy’s claims of the six weeks of alleged corruption activity. One activity per day beginning today and in each subsequent blog.  

Murphy referred to the activities as “open corruption.” He also described the activities as “blatant corruption.”

The first was the launch of Trump’s meme coin on February 17, enabling anyone seeking to influence the administration to privately funnel money directly to the President.

An excellent way to influence the President. Murphy described it as such. I do not understand it. I’m not even sure a formal meme stock exists. The system bullshit, but works as intended. Someone wanting to make money through the President bought meme coins. Where, how, I do not know. The investment caused the “stock” to go up. Trump keeps 80 percent of the increase. The investor gets his “favor.”

A bit re the War.

An Iranian panel has reached a consensus re Iran’s new Supreme Leader. It has yet to release his name.

Trump’s support of Netanyahu carries risks. More of an odd couple. Not a Roosevelt/Churchill couple.

The War already affecting oil and gasoline in U.S. Economy experts claim inflation will rise, as well s food prices and real estate.

European nations already being hard hit.

Donald doing a good job once again screwing the U.S. and world. What does he care? He is making money his own way. And probably will make more. 

Moving on.

Key West weather continues to be good. High today projected near 80 degrees.

Dr. Samuel Mudd was a prisoner at Fort Jefferson in the Dry Tortugas following Lincoln’s assassination. He had treated Lincoln’s assassin following the shooting.

Initially he was tried, convicted and jailed as a culprit in the shooting scenario. Time proved it was not so and on this day in 1869, Mudd was pardoned and released.

Syracuse lost its last game of the season in overtime to Pittsburg 71-69. Syracuse’s regular season record a dismal 15-16. Sucks! I yearn for the days of Jim Boeheim!

Enjoy your Sunday

We begin with Key West.

The Conch Shell Blowing Contest is today. A popular annual Key West event. Major figures participate.

It is being held at the Oldest House Museum, 322 Duval Street. Begins at noon.

Books & Books Key West is celebrating a decade of words and writers. The famed Judy Blume and her husband George Cooper brought Books & Books to Key West.

A major asset to our community. A major asset to the many Key West friends they made.

The Key West Fire Museum on Grinnell Street is free during the month of March. Worth a visit.

Now for Donald Trump and his war.

Trump is two-faced. He beat up Europe for a year. Now he wants their support in the War with Iran.

Gas prices are climbing fast. Upward! Will continue so. Gasoline prices can be expected to pass $4 a gallon for regular. Did Donald expect this when considering to wage war?

It is being suggested by many sources that the girls’ school was hit by a U.S. attack. A misguided one. The misguided aim was for an Iranian Naval Base.

Treasury Secretary Bessent forecasts an even larger bombing campaign.

The DOW lost 450 points yesterday. More than 1,000 the day before.

Beware of Iran! A long war ahead. Iran will have its turn at success. The U.S. and Israel will suffer at some point.

Iran is preparing to sink a U.S. aircraft carrier. Would be a major Iran hit should it occur.

Moving on. 

Retirees are forgetting Florida. They are moving to New York City. Hooking up with young neighbors at brunches, birthday parties and rimming clubs. At the same time, dealing with New York’s higher costs.

Americans are also leaving the U.S. all together. Most to  Europe. Why? The quality of life is more affordable. U.S. salaries and retirement incomes go much farther ahead. Americans can live better on less. Interestingly, many Americans have already made the move so there are other Americans to mingle with.

Winston Churchill: “However beautiful the strategy, you should occasionally look at the results.”

Monica Lewinsky at 52 still has the perfect figure.

On this day in 1876, Alexander Graham Bell patented the telephone. 

Wendy’s is seeking a Chief Tasting Officer. Pay offered is $100,000. 

Roughly 600 Civil Rights activists were attacked by police while marching from Selma to Montgomery this day in 1965. Known as “Bloody Sunday.”

Enjoy your day!