IT’S ALL ISSAC !!!

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It has started. During the night. Issac’s precursor. Forty mile winds and rain.

Issac is not scheduled to hit till sometime tomorrow evening or early Monday morning. By that time it will be a 1. Possibly a 2. Winds around 75-85 miles per hour, if a 1. Around a 100,  if a 2.

A pain in the ass! A bit of fear and trepidation is starting to set in. It is the unknown.

Complacency is evident. Reflected by all of us who live in the lower keys. It has been six years since the last hurricane hit. There have been numerous since, but none that affected us. Most hurricanes start out heading directly for Key West. People are told to evacuate. Hotels and businesses close down. Then the path of the storm deviates and it does not hit.

We thought Issac was going to be another one of those misses. Does not look that way at this point. Headed directly for Key West! Passing right over us!

No problem if Issac is merely a tropical storm or 1. A bit of a problem if a 2. But we will survive. If a 3, we are in trouble. A 4 or 5 and we could be dead.

Issac is projected to become a 1 before it hits Key West. Hurricanes are fickle. They change swiftly. Direction and speed. Could be a 2.

I started preparing yesterday.

Water is important. The water system breaks down or gets contaminated. Publix had little water left. I should be ok. I have about 60 regular size bottles and 2 gallon jugs. I will fill the bathtub with water tomorrow morning. If the water system breaks down, the toilets do not flush. That is the reason for the bathtub water.

I bought all kinds of goodies to eat that do not need to be refrigerated. The electricity is sure to go. If down a substantial time, everything in refrigerators and freezers spoil. There are few stoves, etc. run by gas. Electric is generally used. Cannot cook.

So it is peanut butter, crackers, cookies, tinned fruits that need not be refrigerated, bananas, apples, cakes, canned sodas, etc. Neither a normal not healthy diet. But hurricane time is sort of party time, so what the hell!

Today the windows must be boarded. The wind at the moment will not make it easy. I never purchased hurricane shutters. I have sheets of plywood I have used for years. They are marked as to which window or door. Adam will screw them in. By some point this afternoon, every window and door in my home will be covered, except for a small door leading to the deck. There has to be  a way in and out. It will be dark dark inside.

I purchased two additional flashlights yesterday at Home Depot. I have a ton of candles. Again, the electricity will probably go. Which means no TV also.

All deck furniture will be thrown in the pool. That is how it is done. Garbage pails and other incidental items will be stacked in the garage.

Then I will be ready!

Oh, I forgot. No air conditioning if the electric power goes. Very uncomfortable!

I have a party tonight. Though the one I am attending was planned, there will be many pre hurricane parties. That is how locals react.

Tonight is Lobsterfest at the Yacht Club. I am throwing a small party. Ten guests. It was supposed to be outside. Has been moved inside. Should be fun. I will bitch big time as I drive in and from the Yacht Club. Because of the rain and wind. It will be…..Louis. you are stupid…..you should have stayed home!

One other comment of note. Yesterday’s show was terrific. People are very much into the Todd Akin rape controversy. I spent about 20 minutes on the issue. Revealed the “doctor” authority Akin was relying upon. There are two. One is a medical school professor who takes the position rape sperm and the woman’s egg do not unite. He says generally ovulation does not occur in a rape situation. His authority are Nazi studies done during World War II at extermination camps.

Women were grouped together who were due to ovulate. They were placed in gas chambers. Everything was as if they were to be executed. But they were not. They screamed and reacted as if it was the real thing. They did not know. They were then retested and most had not ovulated.

Sick.

Ok…..this is it! Bring on your worst Issac. We are ready for you!

Enjoy your day!

 

 

 

BOCCE RETURNS !

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Bocce is back!

Last night was the start of a new season.

We won 2 out of 3 games. Normally, we would be proud. We should have won all 3.

Most of the players on the other team were young and had never played before. One was a 12 year old girl. We won big the first two games. By 10 points plus. The third game we lost. 16-14. Because of the 12 year old girl! She was deadly! Made four impossible shots. Brought us to our knees.

It was hard to believe. I kept thinking…..Here I am 77 years old and a 12 year old novice is taking me and my team to task!

Such is life.

My bocce team has a new name. Don’s Place. Previously, we had played as D & D. Larry Smith’s team was known as Don’s Place. We are having a minor internal bocce war. Don wanted his name back. Larry renamed his team Not Don’s Place.

An example of why Key West is such a fun place to live.

This morning is show time! The Key West Lou Legal Hour. Ten this morning my time. World wide. www.konkbroadcasting.com.

It has been a wild week! Man’s foolishness evident all over the place. Such become today’s topics.

I will start with hurricanes and Issac. At this point, I doubt it will be bad. However, the winds are already blowing this morning. The palm trees are starting to bend. And Issac is not expected till Monday morning.

Other topics include types of rape, the basis of Todd Akin’s beliefs regarding rape, some Todd Akin background, Republican inconsistency, a Texas judge warning of a possible civil war if Obama wins, the word hell denying a high school senior her diploma, corporations not only not paying taxes but receiving significant refunds, and an example of why we sometimes live in a sick society. Plus more.

All topics timely and interesting. Certain challenging.

My day yesterday started with a morning haircut with Lori. She spent considerable time trimming my beard. It was getting out of control.

Then ran several quick errands.

The afternoon was spent fine tuning this morning’s show.

Last night was bocce which I have already reported.

A full day.

Enjoy your day!

 

HEART OK / ISSAC COMING

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Saw my heart doctor yesterday. Test results ok. Nothing different from last year’s tests. No new heart problems.

Why the pain? It has been more frequent this week. Doctor thinks it may be gastric. Two new pills added to my daily regimen.

It has been six years. Six calm years. No hurricanes. Issac is around the corner. Probably a Monday arrival.

Will it hit Key West? Present projections have Issac coming right over us. I think we are in for a bit of trouble.

Hurricanes are fickle. They move suddenly in a different direction. Hope it happens this time. The projected lines make me uncomfortable.

Presently, Issac is either a tropical storm or about to become one. That we could handle. It is thought Issac will be a 1 when it hits. One not bad. Maybe a 2.  Not bad again. With either, I and every one else in Key West will be staying.

The problem is that a 1 or 2 can suddenly become a 3. Then we would be in trouble. The die will have been cast, however. We will be stuck here.

The Yacht Club for dinner last night. With Sean and Katherine Kinney.

Sean and Katherine married two months ago. I could not attend. I was away in Europe. Last night’s dinner was my acknowledgement of their marriage.

Some of us had stuffed florida lobster. Others, steak. Both good.

Howard Livingston was at the bar when we arrived. Good friend, Howard. The problem is we rarely see each other. We hugged and chatted  briefly. Howard was with Paul Toppino and others. Howard’s group was concerned about Issac. As we all are.

I did not have dessert at the Yacht Club. On the way home, a desire for ice cream hit me. I stopped at Publix. Bought cappuccino fudge. Ate two dishes  when I got home.

This morning a haircut. Lori. Going to trim the beard a bit. It is starting to get unruly.

I found another company that made big dollars in profit and paid no tax. Travelers Companies. The President is Jay S. Fishman. He was paid $15,837,099 last year. Good for him! He is not my concern. It is the tax Travelers did not pay. Travelers paid no tax. Got a refund!  $176 million.

Something wrong here. It appears the United States survives on the taxes paid by the middle and low income classes. These two groups support the government. Big companies such as Travelers do not.

Something wrong with that scenario.

Enjoy your day!

TRUTH BEHIND CREDIT CARD MISUSE

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I advised yesterday that one of my credit cards had been used in London. Not by me. I have not been to London in six years.

The bank told me they were cancelling the card and to come in to sign for a new one. I did yesterday. Chatted about the credit card misuse with my bank representative. I was under the impression my computer had been hacked and the credit card number obtained in that fashion.

I was wrong.

While talking with the bank representative, I was told the bank had had a lot of London problems over the past few days. All similar to mine. Which meant…..The bank’s computer system was hacked. Not mine.

The card replacement fee was waived. However, I have to wait 7-10 days for a new card.

My big out of the house experience yesterday was lunch at the Yacht Club with a friend. Good food and good company.

Saturday night the Yacht Club is having its annual Lobsterfest.  It will be outside on the dock. I am putting together a party of friends. Should be a good time.

I felt out of sorts last night so stayed in.

Football is around the corner! College and professional. I love college ball. Find pro ball exciting since  it means Sundays at Don’s Place.

I am a liberal at heart. Generally watch the political talk shows on MSNBC. Occasionally I switch to FOX. Want to see what the other side is saying.

Last night was shocking! Each station said its party was ahead and how terrible the opposing party was. Both sides could not be ahead. Each side was finding evil in everything the other did.

Fair and balanced did not apply to either MSNBC or FOX.

Occasionally, I trip across a piece of interesting information. Taxes and how much a person or company pays is much in the news these days.  Vikram S. Pauht is President/CEO of Citigroup. He earned $14,857,103 last year. God bless him! We should all do so good! It is not his salary that is the point here. It is the taxes Citigroup paid. Zero. None. To make matters even worse, Citigroup received a tax refund of $144 million.

Only in the United States!

Todd Akin has to be the most recognized Congressman today. Whether for good or bad, his name is out there. Rape, forcible rape, and legitimate rape have made him quite identifiable.

Something is wrong when women’s rights are in the forefront of Presidential debate. Rights that were defined and settled in most instances more than fifty years ago.

When are the respective campaigns going to talk about Afghanistan and jobs?

American troops are being killed by Afghan military and police. Our friends. We should get out of Afghanistan and fast. These people bite the hand that feeds them.

Unemployment and the economy in general is killing the very essence of our country. The candidates are bogged down in rape. Even Medicare. We have heard both sides of the Medicare issue in exhausting depth. Enough is enough. Move on. People understand Medicare issues better today than ever before.

Enjoy your day!

 

LONDON CREDIT CARD PURCHASE…..NOT ME

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Received a call from my bank yesterday. Did you make a credit card purchase last night in London? Such and such a place for x number of dollars?

Not me. I have not been to London in six years.

Someone uses my credit card and now I am inconvenienced. My card is cancelled. I have to wait seven days for a new card. The bank will permit me to withdraw cash. But cannot give me a new card with a new number for a week. Does not make sense to me. Lisa’s credit card number was hacked a month ago. Her bank gave her an immediate temporary card good till the new one came in. I must be doing business with the wrong bank.

Talk of hurricanes has begun.

There is a tropical storm out there. If it reaches hurricane speed as anticipated, it will be named Issac. TV started reporting yesterday that Issac could hit Tampa just before the Republican Convention next week.

I checked Issac out on the National Hurricane Center site. No one yet knows where the storm/ hurricane will hit land in florida, if at all. The present projected lines take it over the keys and south Florida. However, all projections mean little at this point. It will take five days more before somewhat valid projections can be made.

I suspect the news media embellishes a bit. Issac hitting Tampa and the Republican Convention is newsworthy. Reality is not.

Key West natives will start talking a bit. Will it hit? The same conversation for each hurricane. No one panics in spite of the projections. We are getting porky the last couple of years. No Key West hurricanes the past six years. Ergo, all foul weather news is received with a cavalier attitude.

I was involved with a fender bender last week. The construction on the Boulevard being the actual cause. Had to take my car to to a body shop. Every one told me to go to Cooper’s on Stock Island. I did yesterday morning. An impressive operation. Large and efficient. Staff whether office or garage smiling and gracious.

I have a rental. A Chrysler convertible. Nice!

The grandkids came over to swim after “school.” School was to have commenced yesterday . They attend Montessori. Two weeks ago it was discovered some walls and windows were defective and could fall. The building could no longer be used. A new facility was found directly across the street. It needed outfitting for class rooms. School has been delayed a week. Actual school. Instead, the kids are being taken to Botanical Gardens to spend their days. I asked Robert if he really went to school or played. He smiled…..played.

Went to the movies last night. Had a light dinner at home so I could enjoy a bag of popcorn.

The movie was Hope Springs with Meryl Streep and Tommy Lee Jones. A must to be seen by all couples married more than 25 years. Tommy Lee Jones played a different part for him. An Academy Award nomination performance.

Phyllis Diller died yesterday. Ninety five. A comedian from the 1950s through 1970s. Eccentric hair and an unusual laugh. Referred to her make believe husband as Fang.

Diller became a hit while doing 23 shows with Bob Hope. Shows that were performed in war zones. This activity was followed with numerous appearances on The Jack Paar show. She became big time! Every one in America knew her.

May she rest in peace.

Missouri’s Todd Akin…..What can I say? What can any one say? What is important is that every one understand there are many people who believe as he does. The religious right has twisted and demonized some truths regarding abortion. The result is the lie becomes the fact. And a prominent citizen and Congressman  believes it and mouths it.

That’s it for today.

Have a good day!

AUTUMN IN NEW YORK

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There is a song that begins…..Autumn in New York.

I am originally from upstate New york. Way up. A 4.5 hour drive from New York City.

Autumn comes early. I always considered August 15 the start of Fall. Every year it was the same. All of a sudden in mid August, a morning chill in the air. A few leaves started falling. The pool was used less frequently.

I closed my pool the day after Labor Day Weekend. Every year. The weather had started turning. No one ever used the pool after Labor Day.  The leaves were more plentiful.  The leaves clogged the pool.

The proof of the pudding is the morning temperature. It is 51 in upstate New York this morning. The temperature will rise during the day. Into the 70s. The evenings will be cool and comfortable.

Merely for comparative purposes, the temperature in Key West this morning is 81. The high is projected to reach 89.

I walked yesterday morning. In Home Depot because of the heat. Afterwards, I headed over to Harpoon Harry’s for breakfast. Always a crowd. Enjoyed ham and eggs. Followed breakfast with a fast walk along the waterfront. The walk took me past Schooner Wharf. If not already done, some one should paint a picture of early morning there. A few breakfast eaters, a few early morning drinkers. The view from the dock into the heart of Schooner Wharf is always interesting.

Spent the afternoon reading, watching TV and snoozing a bit.

Last night was dinner with Lisa and the family. They were gone so long, we all missed each other big time. Ergo, dinner together two nights in a row.We did Sunday night at the Yacht Club. A buffet. Prime rib and turkey. Every one enjoyed.

Cameron is a senior in high school. Next year is college for him. Corey and Cameron visited three colleges this past week. All in Florida. Cameron has already been to New York University. An exciting time for Cameron. Everything is in front of him.

Before walking in the morning, Sloan and I worked. Primarily on the You Tube show being developed. We are getting there. We are at the stage of deciding where to present the show from. My Key West home of course. Wanted to do it outside with the ocean or MTV house as a backdrop. It did not work. The sun was too bright. The plan now is to do it either from the dining room or living room. If the dining room, there will be a Jack Baron painting behind me. If the living room, two paintings to be seen in the background.

I may very well do the show from both locations. Move it around.

Enjoy your day!

 

FAMILY COOK OUT

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Good morning and happy Sunday!

The streets of Key West are an abomination. Road work every where. Big time construction.

There are three separate roads jobs going on at one time. Each different. Each being done by different contractors. Great planning was obvioiusly involved. I think.

Detours all over. Changes made to timing of street lights. Every where one turns, there is traffic. Long lines of traffic.

The major job involves North Roosevelt Boulevard. A two year effort by the State. The Boulevard is a main road for ingress and egress to and from Key West.

Key West is a small island. 1.5 x 4.0 miles. Perhaps there is no better way to reroute and do the construction. I do not know. What I do know is there  is nothing any of us can do about it. Grin and bear. In due course, we will become accustomed to it and the aggravation will be no more.

Visited with Lisa and family yesterday. First time I had seen them in about ten days. They returned from vacation Friday evening.

Always good to see them. Lisa was her lovely self. A bit more tanned than usual. Corey in good spirits.

Robert and Ally were excited to see me as I was to see them. They seem to have grown big time in a short time. Poor ally. Her baby front teeth seem to have all fallen out at the same time. She has a wide gap while waiting for the premanrnt ones to come in. The space detracts not from her beauty and smile.

The cupboard was really bare. Had to do some grocery shopping. Plus buy some food for a planned cook out later in the day. I still use the old Publix. I know where everything is. It takes less time to shop now that there are two Publix stores in town.

Lisa, Corey, Robert and Ally came over to swim. Robert and Ally have improved so much. Even their diving. Lisa is planning an advanced swim class for them.

We grilled outside. I have this huge grill which is atached to and a part of the house. I rarely use it. Last night we did. It was fun cooking on it.

What happened to Louis and You Tube? It is coming. Everything seems to take longer than planned. Soon I will be up and running on a daily basis.

Sloan is due later in the morning. You Tube is one of the things we will be working on.

Donna and Terri, where are you? Like a Matt Lauer trip.

The two made it to New York. Exhausted. A hard trip for two seniors to make. One driving the truck/van and the other the car. They finally gave in. Conceded the battle. They have hired a moving company to move them from New York City to Los Angeles.

Enjoy your Sunday!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AYN RAND A NUT CASE

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What a lovely Saturday!

The MTV house across the way has been repainted a bright yellow. The sun is reflecting off it. Magnificent!

I like Saturdays. It is the start of a two day vacation. Happens every five days.

Loved yesterday’s internet show. The Key West Lou Legal Hour. From the reaction, I have to believe many others enjoyed it also.

The topic garnering the most interest this week was the one having to do with Social Security. I reported the recent purchasing procedure by Social Security to obtain 174,000 rounds of hollow point bullets. To be delivered within 60 days to 41 locations. The locations being Social Security offices in various parts of the United States.

Several reasons have been mentioned as to why Social Security is arming itself. With heavy duty ammunition at that. The consensus seems to be in preparation for civil unrest. Following an anticipated economic collapse.

Forty per cent of those receiving Social Security live off  of it. They are totally dependent on their Social Security checks to survive. If the government cannot issue any checks because it is broke or going broke, it is feared there will be a run on Social Security offices through out the country. Demonstrations and protests will occur.

Social Security workers are being armed to protect against such activity.

Americans shooting Americans. I cannot believe it! If such is true, it is a sorry place we are at.

The news became public this past Wednesday. Some print media have picked up and are commenting on it. Television news is saying nothing.

After the show, I hustled over to Lee Nails. Manicure time. A whole half hour to chat with Tammy. I had to wait a few minutes. Her son Kevin is five years old. Mom was babysitting him while she worked. Kevin and I had a conversation. We ended it by high fiving each other.

Then a quick run  to the airport. I had to get some information face to face. Sometimes it is impossible to get a straight answer via computer or telephone.

Lisa and family have been away a week. Vacation time. They were returning last night. Lisa called me. Buy some groceries. She gave me a list over the phone. I filled her order at Publix and left the goodies in her refrigerator.

By this time it was mid afternoon and I was tired. I went to the Plantation Coffee House for a cup of coffee. Sat quietly and read the newspapers.

Owner Diane was working. A lovely person. Met her sister who also lives in Key West.

A quiet dinner last night. Me and the bar stool at Hogfish. Actually, I did chat a bit with some of the local fishermen. Always interesting conversation. These are for real fisherman. Have been doing it for years. Look like men of the sea.

Paul Ryan tells us the influence Ayn Rand had upon him. I wish to comment on Ayn Rand and her influence on Louis .

In the early 1960s, I was a young attorney. I had just opened my own office. Somehow I came across a book called The Fountainhead. Ayn Rand had written it. Her work blew me out! I needed to read more by her. The more was Atlas Shrugged. From my perspective, The Fountainhead raised the questions and Atlas Shrugged answered them.

Just as Ryan, I told my employees and everyone to read her books.

The bottom line of Ayn Rand’s works was a type of laissez-faire capitalism.The rights of the individual were supreme. She called loud and clear for the protection of those rights.

I loved her! I loved her thoughts! Stand up against the world and let no person detract you from what you consider correct.

I was browsing through a New York paper one day. I noticed an ad by Ayn Rand. She was giving weekly lectures in New York City and also publishing a monthly newsletter. It was impossible for me to attend the lectures because of distance. I could read the newspaper, however. I subscribed immediately.

The first newspaper arrived. A small 4 or 8 page publication. I buzzed my secretary and told her to hold my calls. I could not wait to get into Ayn Rand’s newspaper.

I read it. The whole thing.

It was immediately obvious to me. The woman was a nut. Ayn Rand was crazy. I did not get this when reading her novels. But the newspaper provided a different and more personal vehicle for her thoughts. She was undoubtedly certifiable!

I immediately cancelled my subscription. Never more did I recommend her books to others to read.

Now comes Paul Ryan. Republican Vice-Presidential candidate. He claims Ayn Rand is the one person who has had the most influence on his life. He lives by her teachings.

I guess Ryan never read the newsletters.

If Ayn Rand is his guru, his god outside of chuch, we are all in for trouble if he is elected.

Enjoy your Saturday!

A LAZY YESTERDAY

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Before getting into lazy, lets talk about this morning.

The Key West Lou Legal Hour airs at 10 this morning. My time. On the internet. One of the key topics involves Social Security purchasing 174,000 rounds of bullets. Hollow point bullets. Specifically……357 Sig 125 grain bonded jacketed hollow point pistol ammunition.

Join me. The show is interesting and challenging. www.konkbroadcasting.com.

Yesterday was one lazy day!

Did the blog early morning. Sometime before 8. Then worked all day non stop till 4 in the afternoon  on today’s internet show. I got lost in the material. So much. So interesting. So revealing.

I finally got out last night. Outback. Dinner at the bar. Prime rib and baked potato.

I had planned on stopping at Don’s Place afterwards to chat with Kurt who was scheduled to bartend. My stomach was full and I was uncomfortable. I went straight home.

I am heading for trouble. Eating bad and no exercise. Must get on a healthy kick again. Getting started is the hard part.

Watch my internet show this morning. Social Security purchasing all that deadly ammunition should tickle your curiosity as to the reason behind the purchase.

Enjoy your day!

 

MOSQUITOS

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The major item of importance in my life yesterday was a stress test. Part of ongoing tests because I had a chest pain last week. Tests completed. Next wednesday my cardiologists gives me the results.

The testing took over 2.5 hours.

I did not do the tread mill stress test. Mine was strictly nuclear. I sat in a huge easy chair. Some nuclear chemical was shot into my arm. The result was immediate. I started breathing heavy. Gasping a bit. These results were expected and I had been forewarned to expect them.

It was all over in 30 seconds. The picture taking before and after is what took up most of the time.

The gulping for breath was similar to that experienced on my ill fated attempt to climb to the top of the Santourini volcano.

My cardiologist gave me the option of the tread mill or shot. He said both were equally good from his perspective for what he needed. I have become lazy in my old age. Always hated the tread mill. It was hard! Especially at the end. So I opted for the shot of nuclear whatever.

I published another article on Amazon Kindle yesterday. The Forefather of Three Presidents and Two Actors. The John Holland of Mayflower fame tale. He gave us Franklin Delano Roosevelt and the two Bushes. Plus Humphrey Bogart and Alec Baldwin. Were in not for Holland, we never would have had Social Security or the Iraqi War. Who knows how Casablanca would have turned out. 30 Rock might never have won any Emmys.

As I was getting ready for my night in Key West, the telephone rang. It was Jean Thornton. She has been back 2-3 weeks and we had yet to get together. Jean suggested we meet at the Chart Room for a drink.

It was Jean. And Sean, Sheila and Emily at the Chart Room. Good people all! A pleasant time.

I invited Jean to dinner. She had to pass. Had a dinner engagement already scheduled for later in the evening.

Emily bartends three nights  a week at the Chart Room. The more I see of her, the more I like her. She is intelligent and engaging. Beautiful as well.

I was not that hungry. Wanted to go to some place close and easy to the Chart Room. I decided on Sloppy Joe’s and an order of sloppy fries. It was fun.

I walked a couple of blocks down Duval after “dining” at Sloppy Joe’s. A good crowd of people. Not great. Enough for the merchants to make a buck, however.

Tomorrow is the day! My internet show. The Key West Lou Legal Hour. Ten in the morning my time. World wide. www.konkbroadcasting.com.

Join me. Share some interesting time with me.

Some topics to be discussed include the Dallas mosquito problem/West Nile Virus which is killing people, why U.S. companies prefer manufacturing in China (it is not the cheap labor), Social Security’s recent ordering of 174,000 rounds of hollow point bullets, Germany beginning to hurt economically because many of their container vessels sit idle, a high ranking Catholic priest sentenced to 3-6 years for being part of the cover up, Presidential campaign setting a poor example for our children, nude maid service in Lubbock, Texas not tolerated, and more.

Again, please join me if you can. I love doing the show and I assure you that although you may not love it per se, you will enjoy watching it.

Enjoy your day!