MUHAMMAD ALI

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We all woke to the news this morning that the great Mohammad Ali had passed away. Sad. May he rest in peace.

Ali is considered one of the world’s greatest boxing champions. The Greatest title was self-imposed one.

A brave man in many respects. He was not afraid to stand up for what he believed in. He had become a Muslim. The Vietnam War had begun. At the time, a popular war. Ali was drafted. His position was simple. He would not go. Based on his religious beliefs.

To be Muslim and refuse to fight for his country was a no no. Ali had the guts to do what he thought right. The U.S. Supreme Court eventually agreed with him.

Ali was quick with tongue as well as hands. He came up with many sayings that live to this day. One of the best…..Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee.

Poor Tammy. I was with her for a manicure yesterday afternoon. I could see she was stressed. Her seven year old son was having an emergency appendectomy. Her husband was at the hospital. Tammy watching the shop.

The Chart Room first last night. empty. I was alone with the new bartender John.

John first arrived in Key West last December 1. By December 23, he had a job at the Pier House. Now he is the wednesday, thursday, friday bartender at the Chart Room. A coveted position.

Jean and Joe came in. Jean still celebrating her birthday. A week long event.

Sheila arrived.

The four of us had a good time. A small time locals convention.

Soon the entire room was filled. Tourists. All having a jolly time.

Ted Kane is in Key West. Ted has been visiting Key West for years. Ted is from Madison County. Madison county lies between Syracuse and Utica in upstate New York.

Ted is an attorney. Probably now in his early 70s. He has served for years as confidential clerk to the Madison County Judge.

I never knew Ted back when I worked for a living. My practice did not take me to the Madison County Court. Ted and I met at the Chart Room bar several years ago. We seem to meet each year since then.

Hope to run into Ted before he leaves.

Duffy’s for dinner. Don and Stephanie showed up. I enjoyed a drink with them after dinner.

It amazes me. Don is a nice guy. One of the nicest I have met in my lifetime. Stephanie, equally nice. Two nice people found each other and are still together and nice to each other and everyone they come in contact with.

Don and Steph are becoming grandparents big time. already have three. Two more due. Within two weeks of each other. In January and February.

The League bocce party tonight. The big one. Five hundred plus attendees. On the roof at the relatively new Waterfront Restaurant. A good party at a fantastic location!

Enjoy your day!

NATIONAL DONUT DAY

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Today is National Donut Day. America has a national day for everything.

Donut can be spelled two ways. The original, doughnut. Contemporary, donut. Both acceptable.

National Donut Day got its start in 1938.

During World War I, Salvation Army volunteers gave donuts and coffee to troops. Relatively close to the front lines. In 1938, National Donut Day was created to honor the work of the volunteers.

The Day means free donuts in some venues. Here in Key West, Duunkin’ Donuts offers a free donut with every purchased drink. Krispykreme locations will give a free product with each cup of coffee purchased.

Glazed Donuts is at 419 Eaton in Key West. I could not ascertain its policy re free donuts this day. Stop by anyhow. Glazed Donuts’ donuts are great!

Welcome home, Donna and Terri. My lesbian wives have returned. They claim forever. Hopefully so. Two better people do not exist.

Patrick and Lester are leaving Key West. Moving to Georgia. Sad. Two of Key West’s best. I have known them 20 plus years. They are friends. Patrick and Lisa tight.

Patrick aka Patty Cakes was the Sq. 1 bartender for 20 plus years. Everyone loved Patrick. Always available to help in a crisis.

Big swimming race tomorrow. Around Key West. 12.5 miles. Ocean currents galore.

Called Swim Around Key West, an annual event. Began in 1977 when Anna Fugina swam around Key West. She did it for health reasons. Her time, 12 hours 59 minutes. Today’s record is 3 hours 31 minutes 28 seconds. In recent years, most complete the race in 5-6 hours.

Anna is now 64. She will be racing tomorrow.

Not a local thing. One hundred eighty five swimmers  from 7 countries and 29 states will participate.

The race begins at 7 tomorrow morning off Smathers Beach.

My KONK Life column this week is America Has Lost Its Promise. It hit the stands yesterday. Appears in KONK E-Blast this morning. Was also linked to my Key West Lou website this morning. .keywestlou.com.

How the world turns! Sins of yesterday acceptable without question today.

On this day in 1956, Santa Cruz, California passed a local law banning rock and roll. New music at the time. The city considered it detrimental to the health and morals of youth and the community.

Military service has always been an item of discussion/investigation as regards Presidential candidates. Recall, Clinton got beat up for not having served. Bush 2’s National Guard service was closely examined.

The issue not yet an issue as regards Trump. Vietnam was his time. He was found ineligible for a “foot thing.”

Trump’s deferment will become an issue at some point.

Enjoy your day!

 

 

AMERICA HAS LOST ITS PROMISE

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Joseph Lyles is one of Key West’s finest and caring persons.

Joseph is the manager of the Hot Tin Roof. A genuine supporter of St. Paul’s church. A man who diligently follows the goings on in the United States and elsewhere. Well read, he is a man of thought.

Also, a friend.

This past Sunday on Facebook, Joseph posted a small article from Liberals Unite.  The sources for the post EPI, Bloomberg, and the U.S. Department of Labor.

I share the post with you word for word.

The title America Has Lost Its Promise is mine. The words my reflection of the post contents.

SINCE 1978, THE COST OF:

College tuition has risen by 1,120 percent.

Medical care has increased by 601 percent.

Food has increased by 244 percent.

Shelter has gone up by 380 percent.

MEANWHILE, THE PAYOFFS:

Typical workers rose by just 10 percent.

Minimum wage workers fell by 5.5 percent.

Average CEOs increased by 937 percent.

Short and to the point. The numbers speak for themselves. The most telling from my perspective being workers’ wages rising by only 10 percent.

The post is why Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders are so popular.

It is time for the little people to eat again. The rich, banks, and major corporations have gotten/taken more than their fair share. The rich, banks and corporations must move over to make room at the table for others.

I fear America’s Arab Spring may be on its way. The police/black protests and the demonstrators outside Trump rallies an indication of what is to come.

People can be defecated on so long before they stand up and shout…..No more!

DAVID….. A GOOD PERSON

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David Wolkowsky is the best of the best. Made his fortune. Returned to his beloved Key west. Spent his years since returning doing everything to help Key West and its people.

David is 96. In fairly decent shape. The one who fights me for the anti-gravity treadmill at physiotherapy.

His generosity significant.

For many years, David has recognized school teachers. Must be some teacher back when influenced his life. The recognition is in the form of money. David presents the Teacher of the Year with $25,000. Several other teachers, $5,000 each.

I attended the award ceremony yesterday at the Key West High School. The ceremony was in the library. I sat in the back so I could take the whole thing in.

David was beaming. He looked 25 years younger than his 96 years. A smile ear to ear.

It occurred to me that David might consider the teachers his grandchildren. Not children because of the years. They were his family.

The teachers respectful and friendly to David.

David, thank you for inviting me.

I was showered, shaved and out. David’s event was concluded just before 4. Where to go? Earlier than I normally am out.

My first stop was Aqua. Thought I would have a drink with Mark at the Back Bar. Learned the outside bar does not open till 5.

Ordered a drink. Drank it slowly. It was going to be a long night.

My cell phone rang. It was Dee. She was in her way into town. She lives on Cudjoe Key. We decided to meet in an hour at Sq. 1.

My evening was fantastic. Fun filled. We drank at Sq. 1 and ate at Outback.

Dee looked terrific. The best I have seen her in years. She has undergone some heavy cancer surgeries the past three years. All took a toll on her. However, she is back again. And, looking better than ever!

Which I told her several times.

Turtle nesting season upon us. Loggerhead turtle nesting. Mama turtle comes onto the beach and buries her eggs. Called nesting. It takes 50-60 days for the eggs to hatch. They hatch at night. The baby turtles then follow the moon light into the ocean.

Dengue fever has infected one person in Key West. The mosquito bite occurred in Key West. The person a visitor. Now home and on the road to recovery.

First dengue fever case reported in Key West since 2010.

The Associated Press recently released a study. From its NORC Center for Public Affairs. One of the findings was that 9 out of 10 Americans lack confidence in the political system. Another, 70 percent are frustrated with this year’s Presidential election.

Nothing we did not know.

China has done it!Discriminated against men. Created a sexism issue affecting men. Certain areas of China have “Female Only” parking spaces. Larger than those for men. The rationale being women have a harder time parking.

China not the first to do this. German began a few years ago. In some German regions, 30 percent of the parking spaces are mandated to be larger and for women only.

Immigrants a problem? Sweden took in 163,000 persons seeking asylum last year. Only 494 found jobs.

I have written and spoken on my blog talk radio show about Israel’s Prime Minister Netanyahu. He should not have come to Congress last year to speak uninvited by Obama.

Now it is out that he received $80 million last year from the King of Saudi Arabia for his political campaign to continue as Israel’s leader. Most recently, it has been announced Saudi Arabia will build a large embassy facility in Tel Aviv.

I was under the impression Arabs hated Israel and Jews.

Recently, New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman wrote a critical article regarding Netanyahu. Titled: Destroying Israel From Within.

Enjoy your day!

TRUMP LACKS STABILITY

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The Chinese have a saying that one picture is worth a thousand words. That picture was on view for all to see yesterday. It was Trump’s press conference re the Vet’s money and the media.

Trump came across. His best yet. His worst performance. The man is crazy. Lacks stability. He is not Presidential timber.

I am in a quandary. Hillary does not turn me on either.

What to do? The third party candidate, if there is one? Does not move me.

My choice continues to be not to vote.

I paid for my weekend laziness yesterday. Normally, I research and write my tuesday night blog talk radio show on monday. I took monday off. A mistake. I had to work my ass off yesterday to get ready for last night. From 10-5.

The material was terrific. Touched many issues. The show went well. Moved smoothly. I mention the show went well, smoothly, etc. because sometimes it does not. It is not the material. It is the connection between the issues. They have to run smoothly one after the other.

Today is scheduled already. Busy. A manicure in the early afternoon. Then two David Wolkowsky interests. David asked me to join him.

David annually gives Key West’s outstanding teacher $25,000. The five or so runner ups, $5,000 each. The rewards event is this afternoon at the Key West Library.

Then at 5, the Custom House is having a special showing of 71 Mario Sanchez bag drawings. The 71 drawings are all from David’s collection.

Perversion in the Keys. In the Upper Keys. Someone placed camera’s in three women’s restrooms. Anne’s Beach, Harry Harris Park, and a Circle K. In coat hooks resembling hangers.

The Sheriff’s Department is investigating. County facilities were immediately inspected. Nothing found. From this time forwarded, all have been placed on a schedule for routine inspection.

I have been talking and writing about Venezuela for four yeas. President Nicholas Maduro is pure incompetence. Four years ago, his country ran out of toilet paper. The people still do not have enough. Nor food at the present time.

Inflation spiraling wildly upward. A dozen eggs costs $150. Experts predict inflation hitting 720 percent by October. Some predict 1,200 percent by year’s end.

Enjoy your day!