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!

Trump to begin.

What comes out of Trump’s mouth is generally disgusting.

All four of Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s sons served in World War II. Lincoln’s son in the Civil War. None of Trump’s four sons have never served. Yesterday or today. Barron is eligible. In two weeks, he will be 20 years old.

Recall Trump’s words which struck hard and demeaned thousands of American war dead. He said soldiers who died in war were “suckers” and “losers.” I doubt Trump will ever have a sucker or loser in his immediate family.

Trump says he must be involved in picking Iran’s next leader. Is he crazy? Though things appear favorable for the U.S. at the moment, you never know who will be the winner in Iran. Iran could very well be another Ukraine.

Trump not only wants to be King of the U.S., it appears he must want to be King of the world. A bad man is he!

The War is doing well for the U.S. economically. A joke, of course. The DOW dropped more than 1,000 points yesterday. Oil prices are pushing higher. Both results of the Iranian War. Good job, Donald! 

Last year and into the beginning of this year, Trump periodically made it appear Putin was his friend. He could sit down with him and resolve any problems. Rarely was he successful.

Now his friend Putin is screwing him in the Iranian War. Russia is providing Iran with information re the U.S. Things like the location of U.S. warships and aircraft in the Middle East.

I reported yesterday China was providing information to Iran also.

Who needs friends like Xi and Putin.

Query: Did Trump and his staff consider what China and Russia would do in their pre-war discussions? Probably not. It was let’s invade….. Iran cannot withstand our overwhelming military force.

Trump fired Kristi L. Noem as Secretary of Homeland Security. Her deportation campaign one of the reasons.

I find her dismissal amusing. She probably did the job the way Trump wanted. Now is crucified for it.

She deserves to be dismissed. A liar at heart. Was she one before Trump hired her or did she become one thereafter?

Moving on.

A California status symbol was a wine cellar in a home. When California was a big drinking state it was understandable. No more, however. Drinking has diminished greatly in California.

Waste not, want not. Older homes have remodeled their wine cellars. Newer homes build a different facility. Todays it’s infrared saunas, cold plunge rooms, meditation spaces or dedicated fitness studios.

Michelangelo born this day in 1475.

Over 200 killed at the Battle of the Alamo this day in 1836.

Everyone takes aspirin on occasion. A bottle of aspirin is in everyone’s bathroom medicine cabinet. Aspirin was patented this day in 1899.

Ancient affluent Romans heated their homes by heating beneath the floors in other rooms. The warm air was blown to occupied rooms beneath the floors and kept the house occupants warm. These homes were large and on the outskirts of Rome. 

I visited them on one of my Rome trips. No question, the homes of the rich in their day. Even the road outside the homes. A large stoned roadway/highway. The road the same the ancient Romans built hundreds of years ago. Still used. The homes even had toilets. Somewhat similar to ours today, though made of concrete.

The homes are worthy of  visit the next time you may be fortunate to be in Rome.

Some Presidents were very prolific. John Tyler the most. He fathered 15 children. Thomas Jefferson 12. However not all my his wife. He had 6 by his wife and it is believed 6 by his Hemings girl friend.

The first dollar was called a “Continental.” It was issued by the Continental Congress in 1775. The U.S. stopped issuing them in 1777.

The first U.S. $1 note was printed in 1862. George Washington was not on it. Secretary of the Treasury Salmon Chase was. It was a vanity thing with Chase. He thought he looked good on the dollar bill and kept printing them.

Nurse Paige yesterday. She exercised me inside and then we walked two blocks outside. Recovery takes forever!

Enjoy your day!

We begin with Iran. An ill conceived Trump war.

Many believe China is waging war on the U.S. through Iran. China is providing Iran with American troop movements. Detailed information and pictures.

Great move Donald! Did he even consider China getting involved while he was planning the war? Did his generals like Chief of Staff Cane raise a possible China involvement…..even though indirect? Tons of American troops and equipment have been sent to the Middle East to wage this ill-conceived war. Tremendous lives and money at stake.  What are the U.S steps 2, 3, 4, etc. Iran is not Venezuela.

Trump’s Iranian War (it is his War) will affect the world globally. Oil! The Middle East is a high energy source. The oil is not moving in significant amounts. Very limitedly.

Good job again, Donald! You apparently failed to take into consideration all factors when planning the war.

The number of elementary girl school deaths fluctuating daily. Who is providing the numbers? First it was 800. Then 115. Now 180.

Trump wants a quick victory in Iran. After beginning, he said 4 weeks. Now claims it may take longer. Only 5 days into the war he conceived, planned and initiated! Trump will be like Putin in the Ukraine. He thought his war would be a quickie. He is now 4 years into it.

Where are Iran’s friends? Turkey, India, Russia and China? China helping minimally. The four nation support mostly rhetoric. Talk is cheap.

 The New York Times wrote Trump is following “his gut” in running the War. His national security advisers are trying to keep up.

Beware my friends when things start to go wrong for the U.S.!

Moving on.

Taxes, taxes, taxes. State taxes. The state with the highest tax rate is Illinois. The state with the lowest is Alaska. 

New York runs a close second with the highest tax rate. 

March is International Women’s Historical Month. The U.N. theme: “Rights, Justice, Action. For All Women and Girls.” Women’s Day internationally is March 8.

I have been of the opinion that we men have screwed up things enough and it was time for a female President. However for some reason it appears the U.S. will not elect one for many years to come.

My belief it is time for a woman to lead us was diminished by the goings on with the WNBA and Caitlin Clark. If this is how women behave, who needs them in an authoritative job! An absolute disgrace!

During the recent cold spell, it was raining iguanas. The cold too much for them. They fall from branches. Wiped out, but not necessarily dead.

In Florida, such falling iguanas generally survive. They enter a coma-like state called “torpor.” Occurs when temperatures drop into the 40s.  They lose muscle control and fall, but usually wake up and recover when the temperature rises. 

Under 40 degrees, smaller iguanas will die.

Proctor and Gamble retired Mr. Clean for two weeks. He is returning. Not as one, but five different cleaning items in separately labeled containers.

Mr. Clean has been a winner for 68 years. He is expanding/graduating at that age.

The number of American soldiers killed in Iran so far has been low. Five. A comparison to the American Revolution in order. On this day in 1770 in the Boston Massacre five colonists were killed.

Patsy Cline: “If you can’t do it with feeling – don’t.”

Nurse Sara doctored me yesterday. Removed scab from my butt. Still healing, but healing! The butt/but redundant.

Nurse Paige today. She will walk me. More aptly phrased…..She will push me to walk outside while walking with me.

I still need the cane. The Denny’s fall really screwed me up.

Enjoy your day!

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s wife was killed in the bombings that killed him. Also killed in the strikes were Khamenei’s daughter, grandchild, daughter in law and son in law.

The deaths sadden me. Nothing to be proud of. The war was not necessary. As much as I am anti-Trump, I would not want President Trump, Melania, Barron and other of the President’s family members similarly wiped out. 

We have yet to feel the pain of the Iranian War. Too soon. Few Americans killed, no attack on U.S. shores.

Trump: “I don’t care about polling showing the Iran strikes unpopular.”

Trump said he would not rule out sending ground troops into Iran. Boots on the ground were really not discussed publicly prior to the war. Were they discussed in private?

If American troops are on the ground fighting at some point, it will be another Ukraine. 

I doubt the war will then be over in 4 to 5 weeks as Trump predicts.

Trump says the Iranians want to talk. Trump says he is agreeable. Can Trump be believed? Or is he just saying this to make people believe Iran wants to end the war?

Oil prices are rising and will rise because of tanker traffic in the Persian Gulf slowing down ad even shutting down periodically as a precautionary measure.

Enough of the war for today. 

Moving on.

The median age of American home buyers has reached a record high of 40 years old. A disgrace!

Some studies place the age at 56-59. Some as low as 33-35.

All too high. Mortgages should be paid off in 20-30 years. If longer and yet unpaid, people will die not leaving an estate. They will die bearing debt. 

Everything is cause and effect. Life purchases are driven by high interest rates, elevated home prices, and limited home inventory.

People are “mermaiding” all over the world. Women yes, men also. In the Maldives, California, Taiwan and Japan. Huge fins. Mermaidens and their male counterparts feel like they are escaping from life as they play in the ocean. 

A new way to vacation and enjoy!

The Star Spangled Banner became the U.S. National Anthem this day in 1931.

Alexander Graham Bell: “There cannot be mental atrophy in any person who continues to observe, to remember what he observes, and to seek answers for his unceasing hows and whys about things.”

Another grand day ahead.

Lunch today at Salute’s with Fred and Reilley. Both interesting men.

Enjoy your day!

The Iranian War continues. Only 2 days old. Trump says it will last 4-5 weeks. Makes me think of Putin when he began the war on Ukraine. A quickie. Mighty Russia was to swiftly defeat Ukraine in a very short period of time. The Russia/Ukraine conflict is now in its fourth year.

Trump claims 1,000 targets hit. I distrust his numbers. I have learned to always so do when he throws them out in anything. He lies, exaggerates. He has done a commendable job from his perspective. He and/or Netanyahu bombed first day a girl’s elementary school. Eight hundred young girls killed. The number now reduced to 115. Whichever true, still too much. One death, especially of a child, is one too much.

Trump’s chest must be bursting with pride. He also killed Iran’s Supreme Leader. Like killing the President of the U.S. Although Iran is purported not to have the equipment to reach U.S. shores, you never know. They may have been working on a way to get here in anticipation of a war at some point or will swiftly develop a means now to get even. Donald should watch where he sleeps. The White House, Mar-a-Lago and his apartment in Trump Towers are now in serious jeopardy.

I was surprised by the Iran crowds in the streets of various Iranian cities protesting the bombings. Huge crowds. Impressive. Makes me think to not discount their retaliation. They’re pissed off!

Oil prices will rise because of the war. Much oil is imported from that area for our use. Already oil prices have climbed 13 percent in only 2 days.

I have supported Mark Kelly to be our next President. I am withdrawing that support. The withdrawal may be temporary or permanent. Time will tell. I am backing off from my Kelly support at this time because of the the position he took re the Iran War Sunday on Meet the Press. He facilitated. He should have condemned the War. He should have condemned Trump. He did neither. Instead he was a politician. I had seen more in him previously.

One of his primary comments was “we can’t allow Iran to get a nuclear weapon.” Precisely Trump’s words in his State of the Union Address and elsewhere since. Kelly’s position short and clear should have been to the effect the war was not required, Iran still several years away from having nuclear war power and Iran is incapable of reaching U.S. shores militarily. Again, no war required!

A significant Kelly comment was that Trump’s White House talk had not come up with an exit strategy. Kelly says you do not go to war without one. I agree. Kelly further suggested Trump dropped bombs/went to war without knowing what his next step would be. An excellent observation. Nevertheless, he still failed to condemn the war overall.

I may or may not return my support to Kelly. He has t speak less politically. I was very much disappointed re his Meet the Press comments.

Cursive handwriting is making a big comeback. New Jersey and Pennsylvania have recently mandated it.

As technical machinery took over, cursive was abandoned. Schools went to computers and keyboards. Even to providing computers to students.

Today, roughly half the States require cursive writing to be taught. Ten years ago, only 14 did.

There are benefits to learning cursive. Cursive helps students hone fine motor skills, forces them to take time writing and learning therefrom, helps them with reading, and to read handwritten materials.

I was taught cursive in grammar school. No computers back then. Never learned how to operate one via some type of formal education. Just sat down and began pecking away. Computers poorly learned and remain so for me to this day. Son in law Corey Malcom takes care of my mechanical problems, most of which I am too inept to handle.

But…..I write cursive well!

The Tooth Fairy gave kids a raise. Especially for the first lost tooth. Today, $5 to $6.

I find this amusing. In the early 1960s when our children were losing their first tooth, the value was generally 25 cents.

My wife and I were not being cheap. Twenty five cents was the going rate. In the late 1930s when I lost my first tooth, my recollection was I found a nickel or a dime under my pillow the next morning.

Wilt Chamberlain set an NBA single game scoring record at 100 points this day in 1962. A big deal!

Great weather. High today will be 78 degrees. Better than last week where one day never left the 50s and the next the low 60s.

Enjoy your day!

Trump has to be sitting and gloating with his immediate success in the war with Iran.

First a young girl’s school was bombed and roughly 800 young ladies killed. Nothing to be proud of. Nevertheless, a big hit. 

Soon the same day or next, Iran’s Supreme Leader’s home and capitol building are bombed. Ayatollah Ai Khamenei was killed.

Trump should beware how he gloats. What goes around, comes around. I suspect Iran will devise a plan for reaching the White House and/or Mar-a-Lago. They may very well get Trump.

This disastrous attack on Iran reminds me of Pearl Harbor. The U.S. Navy was wiped out that first day. Thousands killed. Yet some 6 months later the U.S. “came back” and basically destroyed the Japanese Navy in the Battle of the Coral Sea and then the Battle of Midway.

Iran has vowed “no leniency.” Revenge/retribution will be theirs.

Iran claims the U.S. and Israel violated U.N. Security Council Rules. Unusual. The U.S. generally follows U.N. Security Council Rules. Not surprising however that Trump may have violated the Rules. He has a track record for violating everything. 

Note also that peace negotiations were ongoing at the time the U.S. and Israel dropped the first bombs. The ones that killed the young girls. While Iran was talking peace with the U.S., no warning was given Iran that the U.S. considered the talks were a failure and was bombing Iran. Dirty pool of a sort. Not the U.S. way of doing things. Trump’s way apparently.

Trump’s attack on Iran unprovoked. The nuclear weapons Trump has been pontificating about are still roughly seven years away. The U.S. was facing no immediate danger. There was no legal basis for the strike. The attacks Hitleresque. 

Prior to Trump, the U.S. led the free world. Ninety nine percent of the time. Trump as eroded that recognition. The U.S. a mess. The world a mess. With one thing certain. Most countries, if not all, not following an American President’s dictates any longer. Thank you, Donald.

Iran faced with an even worse situation this year. Food inflation. Not because of the war. The food inflation for Iran in 2026 was predicted in a study late in 2025.

What follows is shocking. Iran was suggested to be the hardest hit re inflationary food prices in 2026 at 56 percent Would you believe? The war and food inflation at the same time. The war not a cause of the food inflation. However will surely cause it to rise.

Enough of the war. Necessary to comment on various phases, however. The war could be the bedrock for future adverse results globally.

Melania Trump led a U.N. Security Council meeting. Why? Is it because she is a Trump and can do anything she desires?

Kennedy Center “Honors” are getting a new name. The name finalized. The new name: “Trump Kennedy Center Honors.”

A disgrace to the Center and President Kennedy.

Immigration detention centers are basically void when it comes to spiritual care. Religious groups are suing for access. Others denied entry are waiting to see what happens with the lawsuits.

What did ancient Romans eat? Not bad. Appears healthy. Olives and olive oil big. A daily key essential. Grains like barley millet and spelt flour. Cherries, peaches and dates. Where meat was available, ox, pork, deer, lamb and pigeons. 

The Articles of Confederation were ratified and went into effect this day in 1781.

The Peace Corps was established this day in 1961. Highly popular. Did much good.

An excellent person for our next President is Mark Kelly. Presently a U.S. Senator, formerly an astronaut and 25 year Navy veteran, Captained a carrier. Please consider him as time moves on.

Enjoy your Sunday! A warm one!