Trump claims he threatened Putin that if Putin went into Ukraine he was going to bomb the “shit” out of Putin. Not a way to handle things. Could get us into a major war.

A disaster! Should not be. Separation of Church and State a no no. Bad!

What happened. The IRS finally supported Trump’s long time promise to “free up the voices of faith.”

The IRS will now allow pastors to recommend candidates to their congregations without risking their tax exempt stats. According to the IRS, churches can be as partisan as they want.

The elderly have become irrelevant to their family of origin. The young no longer respect their elders as my generation did. I am 90 years old. We did everything and were everywhere for our elders.

My research suggests such is a common family dynamic today.

What goes around, comes around. I believe things work that work that way today, will exist tomorrow. Children who ignore their elders can expect to receive the same treatment from their young ones when their time comes.

Coca Cola is shutting down 5 U.S. factories. Mass layoffs confirmed.

ICE deceived men who were told they were being flown to Louisiana. Instead, their flight ended in Africa’s South Sudan.

Trump has sworn to destroy the EPA. He is doing so from within. He is also making it harder to sue for cancer from Roundup. Neither a good thing. The EPA is needed, has worked wonders. Is Trump out to destroy it because it goes after major corporations that kill, cause serious injuries, and destroy property values?

Superman debuted in 1941. First time on the screen in a Fleischer cartoon – faster than a bullet, stronger than a train, leaping tall buildings.

Vince Lombardi inspiring quote: “It’s not whether you get knocked down, it is whether you get up.”

A federal judge directed the Trump administration to halt arrests based on racial profiling and denying access to Congress, saying the tests are unconstitutional.

Trump and the country are opposed to each other when it comes to immigration. In a Gallup survey, 79 percent of Americans called immigration a “good thing” for the country. The finding comes as Trump pledges to carry out the largest deportation program in U.S. history.

Texas’ Kerr County did not use it most efficient flood warning system which would have diminished to a significant extent the deaths which occurred.

Ford recalls 850,000 vehicles over fuel-oil concerns.

Interesting. Massachusetts has been found to have the best health care system in the U.S and Louisiana the worst.

Enjoy your Sunday!

The Head Librarian for the Monroe County Library system is Corey Malcom. He also happens to be my son-in-law. A better one no person could have.

Corey periodically selects historical happenings to list. Significant past events. I have randomly selected a few to share with you. No order time wise. Whatever appeared interesting, I selected. Enjoy

Joe “Sloppy Joe” Russell, famed bar operator and close friend to Ernest Hemingway died in Cuba at age 51 while visiting Hemingway.

On June 8, 1962, Square Dancers from all 50 states converged on Key West to begin 2 days of dancing. The event was called the “End of U.S. 1 Jamboree.”

There was a time when sharks were prevalent near Big Pine Key. On June 17, 1938, it was reported 100 sharks, averaging 7 feet each, were being caught daily by boats working for the Hydenoil Company.

“Not a particle of the shark is thrown away.”Hydenoil’s processing system focused on shark leather and liver oil.

In 1914, the Panama Hotel was located at the corner of Eaton and Elizabeth Streets. The hotel had running water in each room. Rates were $1.oo, 1.50 and $2.00.

In 1980, a study ordered by Gov. Bob Graham concluded that the policy of sheltering the population in a major area was “clearly insufficient” if a hurricane were to occur. The Keys were one. He recommended the Keys be completely evacuated. No way, Jose. Impossible!

World War II was partially waged in the Keys. German subs were off the coast. On June 12, 1942, the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Thetis sunk the German sub U-57 22 miles south of the Marquesa Keys by dropping 7 depth charges around it. Unfortunately, it was the only U-Boat sunk in South Florida waters during World War II.

In 1927, the new Overseas Highway from Key West to Big Pine was opened to traffic. An estimated 1,000 cars with 4,000 passengers mad the road trip.

In 1989, the Key West Citizen changed from an afternoon to a morning newspaper with its first morning edition.

The U.S. Navy in its early Key West years was always working at keeping the places visited by its men “pure.” Illicit sex was a no no. In May 1955 to “protect the efficiency, health and welfare of military personnel, the U.S. Navy declared 3 Key West businesses “off limits” for all enlisted men and officers. The 116 Club at 116 Fitzpatrick Street, a rooming house at 119 Duval Street, and the Tattoo at 713 1/2 Duval Street.

On May 22, 1956, Senator Estes Kefauver campaigned for the Presidency in Key West.

In 1964, “Escape From Hell Island,” a Key West made and locally backed movie, made its world premier at the San Carlos.

On the day the Seven Mile Bridge was dedicated 1,3000 runners took part in the first bridge run, The new span was later opened to vehicular traffic.

In 1861, Key West Mayor John P. Baldwin was removed rom office when Florida officials were removed because of secession.

In 1993, the Monroe County Library in Key Westheld a grand reopening after a major renovation and addition.

On May 3, 1915, the Key West Woman’s Club was formed.

Moving on to today’s news.

Conservatives are asking Trump for another big tax cut. Pigs!!!

How Trump has changed things. Now China, not the U.S., is Brazil’s leading trade partner. China grows in influence as the U.S. diminishes, especially in the Americas.

Trump is crazy. He has announced a 35 percent tariff on imports from Canada. He unquestionably knows how to turn friends into enemies.

Trump continues to want to downsize government. The State Department is next. Layoffs will shortly begin via emails.

Rubio says “odds are high” for a Trump-Xi meeting this year.

Enjoy your day!

Trump has finally realized he has been manipulated for years by Putin. For a purportedly smart guy, it took him a long time.

It took Trump 10 years to realize Putin has been playing him for an ass.

Guy de Boer telephoned yesterday from a lake in Michigan. Wanted to wish me well health wise. He is in Michigan waiting to race on a Michigan lake Saturday.

Trump’s new tariffs crazy. Merely a recap of those he announced 90 days ago that generally failed. These new ones will also.

Trump keeps pushing tariffs. Continues to make enemies for the U.S. Yesterday’s friends no more. One of these days, Trump is going to tariff the U.S. into a war.

The cost of a gallon of gasoline in 1959 was $.29. Nothing changes, however. $.29 a gallon in 1959 is equivalent to $3.52 a gallon today.

Gaga’s kids. Sad. Without safe access to food, water and medical care, survival has been a daily gamble for the region’s youngest residents.

Fig lovers beware! Dried figs contain wasp mummies. Ergo you are consuming the wasp aspect of the fig also.

Other foods that are not what most people think: The most surprising the banana. The banana is a berry. 

Some foods are unreasonably expensive. Grouper a tasty fish. Expensive, however. Thirty dollars is not considered too much for a local grouper sandwich.

A Donald Trump quote: “People love me. And you know what, I have been very successful. Everyone loves me.”

Who is he kidding? Only himself.

Would you believe? Canadians now say the U.S. is the biggest threat to their country. Before Trump took office again, Canadians viewed China their biggest threat.

A perfect example of how to make one’s “best friend” a worst friend.” Only Trump could do it.

Fewer Canadian are searching for homes in Florida. This past year, those seeking homes in Miami and Orlando dropped 30 percent. Fort Lauderdale a 21 percent drop. Thank you Donald Trump. You showed how to alienate old friends.

Best paying jobs for those 5 years out of college: engineering computer science and health industries.

Still places in the U.S. where people can live on $1,500 per month: Casper, Wyoming, Davenport, Louisiana, Lawton, Oklahoma, Tallahassee, Florida, El Paso, Texas, and Lansing, Michigan.

Trump announced a 50 percent tariff on Brazil. Trump really know how to make friends!

Wrong to play politics when dealing with natural disasters. California wildfires and Texas floods examples, but treated differently. Trump slow to help Democratic California, but in a hurry to deal with Republican Texas floods.

I close with reference to the Monroe County Library System. Outstanding! The County has 5 branches. Each effectively and efficiently run. The County’s Head Librarian is my son in law Corey Malcom. Such not the reason the library system runs so well. Corey inherited a well run system and made it better.

Enjoy your day!

I sometimes find it hard to understand my Key West community. We are basically a tough standing community. Sort of a don’t tread on us. However occasions arise when Key West government acts stupidly.

It has done so recently with the ICE situation.

Key West government first voted not to be compelled to provide police cooperation to ICE investigators. Good for the City Commission. 

Then it opted to reverse its position. Pressure from on high too much?

At a mass City Hall meeting opposing cooperation with ICE, the City Commission reversed itself and voted 4-2 to cooperate with ICE.

Shame on the Commission.

The reversal came after State government threatened to kill much assistance rendered to Key West.

The Commission capitulated. Showing it lacks the balls to do the correct thing. People are unhappy.

All this occurring while the matter is before a State court for decision. The Commission could not wait for the court decision. Cowards!

The U.S. Supreme Court has screwed up again. It has allowed Trump to launch more layoffs and restructuring plans while litigation continues. Evidence the Supreme Court belongs to Trump. Trump continues to add Congress to its bailiwick. Trump’s power increases…..to the detriment of the Nation.

Trump is mad at Putin. Took a long time for Trump to realize Putin was playing him for the fool.

Texas Governor Abbott needs to be replaced. One hundred sixty one Texans remain missing. The flood death toll is expected to exceed 200.

Trump’s 90 day tariff deadline is today. The program has failed. Ergo Trump is coming out with a new program. Basically the same. Hopes he looks like a winner this time.

Florida rewards Trump with an ego booster. Renamed a strip of road near his Mar-a-Lago home after him: President Donald J. Trump Highway.

Wendy’s has quietly returned chicken tenders to its menu. With no word or announcement.

Mercedes Benz announced that in the second quarter its sales for personal cars and vans dropped. Blame has been placed on Trump’s tariff program. Mercedes’ North American deliveries fell 14 percent while China’s deliveries declined 19 percent.

I close with something that has been more of a problem than aid over the years. A travel problem. Travelers will soon no longer be required to take off their shoes during security screenings at U.S. airports. The mandate has been in effect almost 20 years. The non-removable rule begins Sunday.

Enjoy your day!

Good morning!

Early. Five am.

Texas is paying the penalty for merely playing Washington politics. The flood deaths speak for themselves. One hundred four so far this year. Twenty seven children. The flooding a problem that has perplexed Texas for years and been ignored by Texas. Finally the time has arrived to pay the fiddler. Big time!

Two whores meet. Trump and Netanyahu. Dinner last night in Washington.

Netanyahu shared a copy of a letter he sent to the Nobel Peace Prize organization recommending Trump receive the Peace Prize.

Two nurses visited me yesterday. Nancy Brown and Lina Swift as part of my Medicare follow-up to my recent 58 days in the hospital. One to tend to my wounds. The other further exercise. Today a third. Bill. He draws my blood once a week to check my hemoglobin which has now reached 12.1. It was only a few weeks ago it was 6.1.

Nancy also responsible for caring for my head injury received saturday when I fell. Still bleeding a bit. Stitches in place. Will take a few days to heal.

Kolmar Abrego Garcia case. Justice the aim so Abrego will not suffer illegally and improperly a second time.

Trump wants to remove Garcia from the U.S. again. He refuses to let the normal judicial process work its way out. The federal judge involved says the government refuses to let the system play out. The government wants to now send Garcia to other than El Salvador.

Federal Judge Xinis said re the government’s plea: “It’s like trying to nail Jell-O to a wall to figure out what is going to happen next week.”

El Salvador finally spoke out on who controls the fate for jailed detainees. The U.S. A significant contradiction to the Trump administration’s repeated claims that it lacked authority to bring back migrants from the Salvadoran mega prison.

Used car prices are climbing again. Some nearly 20 percent. Reference especially to cars 1-5 years old.

Trump has issued new tariff letters on a slate of states. The tariffs to take effect August 1. Included are 25 percent tariffs on “our friends” Japan and South Korea. 

Most if not all of the tariff letters were the same or close to those issued several months ago. It appears Trump is merely seeking more notoriety. His follow throughs on these tariffs generally suck fortunately.

Measles cases up so far this year in the U.S. Reported cases have reached 1,277. The previous high was 1, 274 in 2019.

Texas is in the center of this outbreak. Seven hundred ninety cases so far.

Texas doing well. Flood deaths as high and going to be higher. A measles leader. Texas should have paid more attention to its other problems rather than playing a close Trump friend in recent times.

Truman’s great grandson, Arthur Wesley Truman Daniel, to lead a “truly amazing art” exhibition at the Truman Little White House soon. Date and time to follow.

I close with an observation re the New York City mayoral race. Democratic victor Zahran Mandeni will not win. His track record negates success.

His past has resurfaced to haunt him. He gave the “flipping the bird” finger at a speech in June, 2020 at Astoria calling for a statue of Christopher Columbus to be taken down. How he won the primary under the circumstances, I know not. I admit I take the finger personally because of my Italian heritage.

Enjoy your day!

The silence was deafening yesterday, The Fourth of July and oh so quiet.

Holidays are crowded walks and streets. Regardless of weather. Yesterday you could hear a pin drop.

Why, I know not. Cory and Robert drove me around town prior and subsequent to my breakfast birthday brunch. We all commented on the silence.

Fewer people? Appeared so. Are people heeding the voices and failing to travel to South Florida and the Keys because of Trump’s actions? The next long weekend will tell.

Still walking around with a major headache, though better.

With the number of Texas flooding deaths now exceeding 80, you would think floods a stranger to Texas. Not so. Common. Problem is Texas failed to get ready. Government officials were too busy playing national and Trumpism politics to be concerned. They knew floods were a concern. Failed to pay attention, to warn.

The State that considers itself to be the smartest failed its people! Proof in the flooding. Note the more than 80 dead contain 28 children.

U.S. measles cases reach 33. A one year record  high already. Thank you RFK Jr. and Donald. You play ball well together.

A rare copy of the 13th Amendment signed by Abraham Lincoln sold for a record $13 million recently.

The Corona beer owner raises struggles in recent months re attracting customers. Beer sales are down 2 percent int the first quarter. Wine and spirits down a whopping 28 percent.

Total sales down overall for the year thus far.

Why?

Owner says one reason are Hispanic and non-Hispanic consumers. Economics a concern. Especially inflation. Hispanics cutting back.

Words of wisdom by Walt Whitman: “Keep your face always toward the sunlight and shadows will fall behind you.”

On this day in 1912, Jim Thorpe began the Olympic penthalon.

Isis sex on the rise. Every 24 seconds a child is trafficked globally. An example of how horrible sex trafficking is in the Iraq region.

I still hurt. Big head. Left butt now also. A tumble it was!

Enjoy your day!

I made it! Ninety years old! Many times in the last 2 months plus I doubted it.

Celebrated the occasion with Lisa, Corey, Robert, Ally and Jake at a mammoth breakfast this morning at Lisa’s.

Yesterday foretell my not making 90…..almost! I had been in for 2 weeks in bed. Decided it was time to get out. Decided to have lunch with Steve. I stubbed my toe on the curb when I went out to get in Steve’s car. Down I went. Back of my head first. Hard! Bled big time. To the emergency rom. Stitches, brain scan, ekg, other tests. Everything ok. Home to bed with a head bigger than my room.

Did make 90, however. Enjoyed the breakfast mentioned. Lisa and Corey were quick to tell me they did not think because of the 58 days I was going to make 90. I agreed. Made it, however. Plan to continue making it to 91.

Age a significant factor in deciding whether one makes 90, 91 or what have you. All one can do is keep hoping and praying. I have been doing both recently.

Home now. Back to bed. I went out two weeks too early. 

Happy birthday calls from everywhere. Mentioned a few yesterday. One today from Jean Thornton. Joe having problems. Hope he continues recovering. 

Enjoy your day!

More wrongs than rights permeating our society.

Some examples.

The Supreme Court has given Trump immunity from nationwide injunctions. Congress is giving ground on spending and tariffs.

Each way too much.

Constitutional checks and balances are not working. The Supreme Court and Congress continue to give Trump a “blank check.”

Result: A too powerful Presidency.

Time for the Supreme Court and Congress to stand tall against the President and restore the type of government initiated by the Founding Fathers.

I fear a too powerful President.

Which leads to another issue. Can the U.S. survive a 2028 election when Trump and his cohorts will fight to retain power?

Trump is now taking on the banks big time. Refers to them as “shylocks.” Considered an antisemite term. Trump denies he uses it as such. Me thinks he lies. He has battled banks his entire economic career an has been known to have expressed antisemitic feelings.

Condo values are slipping. Across Miami-Dade County. More so outside Miami itself.

The Florida State Attorney General has authorized local police to support ICE. Local Key West residents met in mass to protest. Residents recognized the failure of due process involved.

A lot of Americans are going to die because of Robert Kennedy Jr. and Trump’s support of anti-vaccines.

A closing observation. My lengthy illness caused many to inquire re my illness. As far away as Greece, England and South Africa. Plus numerous others. Thank you!

Enjoy your day!

Tiny Key West is bombarded with ICE. People are being swept off the streets. Some by masked persons. What is happening all over the U.S. is happening here.

Shame!

Fear is permeating our streets.

Why can’t well enough be left alone. Key West needs workers.

This message is short. Its point well made.

Today is July 4th. Independence Day. No more. ICE has replaced the freedoms we once experienced. Time to return to the the days of yesteryear and the freedoms we then experienced.

Sick! Big time! Fifty eight days! Three hospitals and one recuperation facility!

Just coming out of it. Home now for two weeks.

It was towards the end of April. An old friend Cheryl Keast had driven to Key West from Cape Coral to have dinner with me at Antonia’s. She and her husband Roger had been friends for 15 years. Snowbird friends. Roger had died 3 years earlier. We decided to get together for dinner.

Parked on Simonton for a 1 1/2 block walk to Antonia’s.

Suddenly I was without energy. Totally wiped out. Sat on curb. Finally made it to Atonia’s.

It was Dr. Norris and the Key West Hospital the next day. For two days. I was shitting toilet bowl full of black blood those two days.

It was decided I needed better care. I was helicoptered to Mount Sinai in Miami. Spent one week at Mount Sinai. Sinai decided I required better care than they could provide. Ambulanced me over to Cleveland Clinic for upwards of three weeks. Toilet full of black liquid blood continued.

I had a stomach leak causing the blood problem. Two procedures to determine cause of the leak. One through the throat failed. A blockage. One through the rectum also failed. Scar tissue from a surgery 15 years earlier prevented it.

Then the “movie pill.” Size of a potassium tablet. Supposedly was to take 40,000 pictures over 4 hours. I would then pass it.

The tablet got lost. Dd not work. To this day is thought still be somewhere in my stomach.

The next step was big time surgery. Cut through the abdomen. Cleveland Clinic MDs were supposedly the best at it.

They were reluctant to do it because of its danger.

In the meantime, still shitting toilet full of liquid blood.

The leak had to be stopped!

Surgery was short timed. When portion of stomach was removed, it shuddered and shaked. I was closed immediately for fear of death. Never to be opened again.

Now I was really in trouble! Cure not available. Needed to find leak and close it.

The bleeding stopped. Turned to black turds. Represented drying blood. Needed brown turds.

I was not improving.

The doctor in charge of my procedure came in and talked with me. Told me to make arrangements to die. Talk to my family, get my affairs in order, etc.

Pissed me off no end! Death was the last thing on my mind! I was 89 and would move to 90 on July 6. Decided screw the docs and system. I was going to live!!!

I am still here. My attitude did not go over well.

I was transferred to Empress Recuperation. From my perspective, to die on someone else’s time.

The recup was terrific. I exercised big time. Pushed myself.

I was not making progress. The Doctor in charge paid me a visit. His people were not able to help me. Normally they sent people in my condition to hospice. However because I was working my ass off and was positive in the exercises, they were sending me home. Home to die was the message!

Hemoglobin is the key. An adult male should be 13.5. I was running up and down from low 6’s to 8’s. Needed lots of transfusions to keep blood stabilized.

My only hope was the leak might stop on its own. Not expectd, however.

In the two weeks home, my hemoglobin has steadily risen to 11. Wowie! Big time!

Hope it continues.

I have remained in bed. This my first blog. Will start walking soon. Lets hope the hemoglobin continues to rise. My life depends on it!

Pray for me!