I have written about the best of the best. Today, the worst of the worst. Noting however that there are many occurrences which command the designation.

A baby boy was taken from his mother at the border when he was 4 months old. He recently was returned to his mother. At the time of return, he was 18 months old.

He cannot walk or speak.

Many of those involved with border decisions have children or grandchildren. From Trump down to ICE, the Border Patrol, and independent contractors, how would they feel if such happened to one of theirs.

Kept my commitment to myself last night. Went out!

Like being reborn.

Started at the Chart Room. Tammy bartending. A personality.

Met Mary at the bar. She drank wine and I diet Pepsi. She smoked and I watched. The conversation was good, however.

Mary and I went to La Trattoria for dinner. Carrie bartending. Another woman with a great personality.

Dink was holding court at his usual corner of the bar.

Mary wanted to go to Bourbon Street to hear Bria Ansara sing. I opted out. As much as I enjoy Bria, I felt good at this point of the evening and did not want to spoil it by staying up later. So Mary headed for Bourbon Street and I to my car.

Mary emailed me this morning that Bria did not sing. She is now scheduled for tuesday night’s at the outside bar. Jeff Stone was singing inside last night.

I felt terrific when I got home. A nice feeling! A good night’s sleep followed.

I may try going out tonight. Actually will. This is a take care of Louis day. A haircut early afternoon and a manicure at 5. Then to the Chart Room. From there, I know not where.

Only in Key West. The third annual Key Lime Pie Drop takes place July 6 at the Lighthouse across from the Hemingway House on Whitehead.

July 6 my birthday, also. Perhaps I will attend to watch the drop.

Participants require a degree of engineering skill.  A 5 inch in diameter key lime pie is dropped from the top of the lighthouse. The purpose to make it hit the ground and not explode on impact.

Participants are encouraged to make some sort of container or device which will keep the pie intact when it hits the ground. The reason some degree of engineering skill helps.

Participants are encouraged to wear costumes.

The U. S. purportedly does not pay ransom to regain an American citizen being detained by a foreign nation or group. Such does not extend to municipalities at the moment. Doubt that it ever will. One life is one life. A city’s records another story.

Riviera Beach is a city 80 miles north of Miami. A hacker got access to Riviera Beach’s computer. An employee accidentally hit on a malicious email key providing the hacker with access. Riviera Beach was denied entry.

Riviera Beach has agreed to pay the hacker 65 Bitcoins to “hopefully” gain access to the data encrypted by the hacker. Sixty five Bitcoins is equivalent to $600,000 American money.

An insurance company is paying the 65 Bitcoins/$600,000 on behalf of Riviera City.

Will the payment encourage others to hack municipal systems? Probably so.

I mentioned 2 days ago that Facebook was getting into the money business. Via cryptocurrency. It expects to be ready with the system in 2020.

Instead of U.S. dollars, crypto dollars would be used. Facebook has in excess of 200 million daily users. A customer list! Additionally, several major companies have agreed to join Facebook in the venture.

Congress overnight grabbed onto what Zuckerberg intends to do. Both Houses went crazy. The House and Senate immediately scheduled hearings.

I find the speed with which each reacted amusing. The U.S. has all kinds of problems that Washington fails to work on. Comes a new financial system and they go nuts. I am particularly impressed by the Senate’s speed. They fail to do anything since the House went Democratic.

I view the Congressional hearings and the speed at which they were scheduled nothing more than political grandstanding. My admonition to Congress: Beware how you handle the matter. At a time when Trump is encouraging corporations to return to the U.S., Zuckerberg may say “up yours” and move his operation to Europe.

Venezuela is in the news again. It is reported Trump has lost patience and interest in invading Venezuela. He is frustrated. He believes John Bolton and his Director of Latin American Policy “got played.” Maduro’s purported successor Juan Guaido did not stand a snowball’s chance in hell of ousting Maduro.

Trump now will have to call for the return of the 3,500 soldiers, the military equipment, and the stealth planes he sent to Columbia in preparation for an invasion that will not occur.

Enjoy your day!

Kermit Key Lime Pie sits on the corner across from Conch Republic. Carpenter the owner has stood out side on the sidewalk in front of the store for 27 years. Clothe in lime colored chef attire including a chef’s cap. Always holding a key lime pie in his hand, encouraging people to enter his store.

He is a mainstay in Key West. An icon. Everyone knows him and his store.

Someone complained he was blocking the sidewalk. After 27 years! Codes served a citation or order prohibiting him from standing outside any more.

Carpenter told his story on Facebook. Many of his friends wrote in support of his being permitted to continue doing what he had done for 27 years. Some who were aware contacted their City Commissioners expressing their feelings.

His “eviction” did not last long. Assistant City Manager Greg Veliz reversed the citation/order.

Justice was done!

If you have never visited  Key West Lime Pie, do so. The store has a feeling of intimacy. Many tasteful goodies are sold besides key lime pie. Most items for sale are available for a free taste treat. Can’t beat that.

The highlight of my day yesterday was a call from Jean Thornton. She is home in Birmingham at the moment. Hearing from Jean makes for a happy day!

Jean will return to Key West for 2 weeks in the middle of July. She and Joe will be spending the month of August touring Europe. Good for them!

The United States, Europe and Asia are experiencing a measles epidemic. The U.S. has in excess of 1,000 cases reported. The Philippines over 33,000 with 400 of that number dead.

Measles today, yellow fever yesterday.

On this day in 1865, the vessel Adventure put into Key West. Yellow fever was aboard. Four of the crew sick.

They were taken to the Marine Hospital. The disease spread to U.S. Army soldiers stationed in Key West. Three hundred thirty one additional cases of yellow fever. Seventy one died.

I could not find the numbers for the Key West population itself.

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is the 27 year old newly elected Democratic Congress person from New York City. She has garnered public attention from day one. She calls them as she sees them. No timid individual is she.

I view her as a breath of fresh air.

She complained the other day that the detention centers along the southwest border where children are held are “exactly” like concentration camps.

ICE and other officials involved with the centers denied the charge.

It is time for the public to know the truth. The press and public officials are denied entry to the detention centers. Open the doors! Let the press and government people in to see. Then the public will know who speaks truth.

Trump tells us his administration is transparent. Prove it in this instance.

I spoke yesterday of Trump’s ordering ICE to begin locating and taking into custody aliens illegally in the U.S. I thought Trump mentioned 1 million of them. I was incorrect. The number he keeps mentioning is “in the millions.”

I wrote yesterday that ICE was not equipped nor had the resources to accomplish the “1 million” million task. No preparation for such a major undertaking.

I was correct.

This morning’s news reports ICE was caught by surprise. The President never made them aware. ICE indicated they do not have the resources for such an undertaking.

Trump shooting from the hip again. Not consulting with his hands on people to determine if his plan was feasible.

Staying with Trump for a moment. His plan tossing of the U.S. agreement with Iran is showing it was not the wisest course to take. Trump now finds himself cornered. He has been blowing hot air at Iran. As have Pompeo and Bolton.

Trump is at the put up or shut up stage. He has let go the winds of war. Iran says in effect come on, we’ll take you on.

The solution from Trump’s perspective is for Iran to agree to not making nuclear weapons. The nuclear portion was the primary reason Trump dumped the Iranian agreement.

Trump is cornered. No war if Iran agrees not to test for or make nuclear weapons.

The next couple of weeks will tell if war is to occur.

Trump did something again without thinking and set the U.S. on a course to war.

He looks like an ass. He is probably the only one who does not know it.

Recall a month ago, Trump was going to invade Venezuela for humanitarian reasons. He sent 3,500 troops, equipment and stealth planes to the Columbia border with Venezuela. Ready to go!

The humanitarian comment was not the real reason. Trump wanted Venezuela’s oil.

Nothing happened.

In the meantime, Russia sent troops to Venezuela. Boots on the ground in Venezuela. Also, planes. China reported it was supporting whatever Russia did.

Putin wants the oil, also.

After releasing the winds of war for a few days, Trump never proceeded with his plan for the invasion.

I wrote the reason why there was no invasion was that Trump had learned that the U.S.’s super dooper stealth planes were of no value. Venezuela had a new radar and missile system that in effect made the stealth planes visible. It was claimed the missile system would destroy 85 percent of the stealth planes the first time they flew over.

I suggested at the time that China probably developed the new anti-stealth radar system. China is way ahead of the U.S. in military readiness contrary to what Trump tells us.

We heard nothing about the fallibility of the stealth planes.

Yesterday, China announced it had developed a new radar system that made stealth planes ineffective.

I promised myself to go out tonight. I have not been out since last wednesday or thursday. Have not shaved in that interval also. Look like a bum!

Enjoy your day!

I am tired of being sick.

Re my head, everything done yesterday in one day. Saw Dr. Norris. Needed cat scans. Got them. He called later in the afternoon. Negative.

Back of head still sore. Neck more than sore. Hurts.

Dr. Norris says all related to the fall. Will pass with time.

Thank all of you who e-mailed or called. Your concern appreciated.

One telephone call was from an old friend, Marty Leshaw. I have not seen Marty in years. He was a court stenographer in Key West for a number of years. We met at the Chart Room, became friends, and had dinner together most nights for several years.

Argued. Full time. Marty ultra-conservative. You are aware I am liberal. Must be true that opposites attract.

We talked about Che, Jean Thornton, British Peter, Vino’s new place in Hollywood. A restaurant and attached full bar. Marty said the bar the most beautiful he has ever seen. And he has seen a few!

Marty’s permanent home is Fort Lauderdale. A magnificent one on the inter-coastol. Now 81. His health good.

Yesterday was a bit nerve wrecking for me. The last thing I wanted was a brain bleed and the surgery necessary to relieve the pressure. By late afternoon after I had been made aware of the results, read some e-mails, talked to several on the phone, there  was only one thing I wanted. A drink! No, I did not do it.

Stayed in again last night. The day had exhausted me.

A couple of days ago, I wrote about two new massage parlors. Dancing Finger Massages. Preparatory to writing the blog, I googled Massage Parlors Key west.

One site came up said there were 30 Asian massage parlors in Key West. I only knew of 2. Hard to believe 30.

Skipped down the list and noted none with Asian massages in the title.

This morning’s Citizens’ Voice has an interesting comment by a local: “What’s up with all the new massage parlors?…..Are we trying to attract more NFL team owners?”

Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou tonight. Nine o’clock. Join me. I love ranting and raving about my likes and dislikes. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou.

Some years back, I wrote a weekly column for KONK Life. One had to do with Napoleon, his defeat at Waterloo, and the reasons therefore.

Napoleon and Waterloo came to mind this morning. I noted it was on this day in 1815 that Napoleon was defeated at Waterloo.

Two reasons are given for Napoleon’s defeat. The simplest it had rained and Napoleon did not want to move his troops into battle until the ground dried.

The other is the one I support. My research Far more interesting and plausible.

The other. Napoleon had hemorrhoids. Painful. The night before the battle, his doctors overdosed him with a painkiller. The painkiller caused him to wake later than normal. His army did not go into battle without him.

Napoleon did not get to the battlefield til around 1. When he woke and before leaving for the battlefield, his doctors gave him more of the painkiller.

The painkiller was laudanum. The wonder drug of the day for pain. Laudanum was a tincture of opium containing morphine and codeine.

Napoleon had difficulty sitting on his horse. The hemorrhoids.

Napoleon would have begun the battle much earlier as such was his custom. He watched the battle from a hilltop. If he saw the enemy moving in another direction or more troops joining the opposition, he would ride over and advise his men.

Had Napoleon begun the battle in the early morning as was his custom, he would have won the battle. The opposition did not have sufficient men to successfully oppose him.

Additional troops were on their way to join the opposition. They did not arrive till late afternoon.

Because of the hemorrhoids, Napoleon was not riding around on his horse to observe troops that might be coming from another direction.

The battle turned because of the fresh troops. Within 2-3 hours, Napoleon was defeated.

In my research, I came across a Sears Catalog ad for laudanum. Apparently pharmaceutical houses in the early 1800’s were not pigs in their pricing. One ounce of Laudanum was 8 cents, 2 ounces 15 cents, 4 ounces 25 cents.

Trump sends troops everywhere and anywhere. I doubt he considers the cost involved each time he wants to scare a nation or group.

It was announced yesterday that he had ordered 1,000 additional troops to the Mideast to what he and his henchmen considered a possible war with Iran. A war that if it comes will have been fault of Trump, Pompeo and Bolton.

Several weeks ago, the U.S. was going to invade Venezuela. A Trump brilliant idea. He ordered 3,500 troops to the Columbia/Venezuela. No war. U.S. troops never crossed the border. Expensive though to transport 3,500 troops and equipment to the Venezuelan border.

Money, money, money. Money that could be spent building new roads and everything else which is needed internally by the U.S.

Another Trump announcement yesterday. Next week ICE is going after 1 million people living in the U.S. illegally. ICE’s focus will be on those who have been issued final deportation orders by federal judges, but remain at large.

Many have had children while living illegally in the U.S. All born on our shores are automatically citizens. Trump says they are going back also.

An example of his respect for law.

One million an impressive number, but a hopeless task from my point of view. Records will be skimpy, ICE will have to trace them. Such will take time. ICE will not have enough manpower to do the job. More ICE personnel will be added.

Cost again. Foolish cost.

Additionally, I fear ICE. Especially  when for whatever reason their numbers are expanded. If things go bad for Trump in the election or elsewhere, I fear ICE as a body will stand with Trump against citizens of the United States.

Facebook is getting bigger. They plan on issuing their own currency/money in 2020.

Cryptocurrency. The money will be called Libra. It will be a global digital currency.

A smart idea. Whether it will fly I do not know. What I am aware of is that Facebook has 2 billion users world wide. A good base to start from.

A group has been formed that has agreed to participate. Impressive. Uber, Lyst, Visa, MasterCard, and PayPal amongst others.

Enjoy your day!

Short blog today.

Docotor visit and a test. related to my fall saturday night where I came down on the back of my head. My head bounced twice before coming to rest.

I take a blood thinner. Could be a problem. Headache remains. My carotids are swollen and sensitive to touch. Like a swollen gland.

Oh, me!

I am beginning to feel like Joe Btfsplk. You have to be on the old side to remember him. A comic strip character from another day. The comic strip Li’l Abner. Li’s Abner, Daisy Mae and Dogpatch.

A black cloud over Joe’s head. Indicated Joe was a jinx. Bad luck to himself and anyone around him.

I am beginning to think a book may be in order. Titled, Being 83.

Hope my medical concerns are without foundation.

Two people close to me and known to many of you are finally in good health. My lesbian wives Terri and Donna.

Terri had a heart attack 10 days ago. Blockage in one vessel 99 percent. She sang yesterday morning at Hard Rock Cafe. Donna 2 weeks ago was in the hospital with pneumonia. Back to work last week.

They called yesterday to wish me a Happy Father’s Day. Heard from Lisa and family. They warm my heart.

Glued again yesterday to the TV set. Till 10 in the evening. The U.S. Open. Great golf!

Gary Woodland won by 2 strokes. He is 35. Won only 3 times previously. Winning the Open changes his life immediately. Endorsements alone in the multi-million range.

Pompeo, Bolton and Trump remind me of the old Christian song Onward Christian Soldiers. They will not give up on Iran. Especially Pompeo.

Pompeo was on TV yesterday continuing to complain Iran was responsible re the tanker attacks in the Gulf of Oman. In spite of sound proof the day before that it was not Iran.

Germany and Japan are so distrusting of U.S. foreign policy that they asked Pompeo for “stronger evidence” than that provided.

Two sayings come to mind re Pompeo and the tankers. One, put your money where your mouth is. Even better, put up or shut up!

Enjoy your day!

It happened again last night.

I was watching the U.S. Open in the living room seated in a wing back. It was 10 o’clock and the tournament had ended for the day. I got up to go upstairs to bed. Took one step to my right and went down.

I got dizzy. Fell strangely. My feet went out from me and up. My head went down. I fell backwards!

The back of my head hit the tile floor first. Bounced twice. Somehow my knees must have been involved and my right hip.

Everything still hurts this morning. Especially the back of my head.

The falling problem occurred last week also. I was shaving and turned around to get a hand towel. Fortunately, the bathroom is narrow and I was able to bounce between the walls and stay up.

Dizziness occurs before I fall.

Dr. Norris says it is my blood pressure medication and perhaps some others. I take 11 pills a day. The key to not falling is to stand for a moment before taking a step. Problem is I don’t always remember to do so.

The alternative is to stop taking my blood pressure meds. A no no.

A major problem with falling is getting up. When your younger, your body is agile and you are able to immediately raise yourself up. At my age, it is next to impossible. Takes every bit of energy I have.

Last night, it took about 15 minutes before I was able to stand.

I started falling about 8 years ago. Did physiotherapy for 6 months to learn how to walk again. Good! The key is to watch where you are walking and hold on when going up and down stairs. The rehab people trained me to do so. Sounds easier than it really was. I was also taught how to get up. A big deal! It worked for a few years. Not so good now.

Physicians attribute old age falling to the side effects of drugs and medicines, a weaker sense of balance, declining eyesight, and a loss of flexibility in hips and ankles.

This blog generally deals with Key West and national politics. Perhaps I should add a third consideration. Senior citizen health. If you are there already, you will understand and appreciate. If not yet old enough, better to learn early and be prepared.

Sticking with health for a moment, a Mini Health Fair is going to be held in Key West on Saturday June 22. At the Gato Building on Simonton.

It is sponsored by the Florida State Department of Health and Monroe County.

The significance: All service and items provided are free. Those who are without insurance should definitely attend. Services to be provided include vaccines for hepatitis A and B, HPV, tetanus, pertussis, flu, and more.

There will also be blood glucose screenings, blood pressure screenings, HIV testing, WIC, family planing, and tobacco cessation information.

The U.S. Open. Every year I become more and more impressed with the play of the young professionals. Their abilities exceed those of the golf giants of yesteryear.

The younger pros putt better. Long puts. They chip better. They hit longer.

Yesterday, chips off the green were falling into the holes. Never saw anything like it. Putts of 20-40 feet dropping. Wow! Drives over 300 yards. Some as much as 350 yards.

Excellent golf. Thrilling.

Goodness prevails on occasion. Orange County, Florida, was recently a site demonstrating old fashioned good hearted charity. Involving thousands of people.

Sam Rodriguez is a young lady. Sam is her name. Twenty years old. She is one of 6 children.  The oldest.

In the past 5 years, both of the family’s parents died of cancer. Sam’s 5 brothers and sisters 5-17 years old.

Sam has taken charge of her brothers and sisters. She is caring for and supporting them.

Not an easy task. Parents left a large family, but no money.

Last week, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department reached out to certain persons and asked them to help buy Sam a new car. They did. A Nissan Versa. A big help!

Sam’s situation was put on GoFundMe. Money is coming in through that venue also. Contributors in the thousands.

On this day in 1858, Abraham Lincoln was Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate to represent Illinois. He lost a close election. Mattered not. Two years later, he was elected President.

During the Senatorial campaign, Lincoln was debating his opponent in Springfield. The country was being torn by slavery and states’ rights. Lincoln in the debate paraphrased the New Testament’s Matthew 12:22-28: A house divided against itself cannot stand.

Prophetic words.

We are once again a house divided. The foundation is rotting. Maybe already gone. What lies ahead? Can we save our Nation?

Trump recently tweeted: “The failing New York Times did a story that the United States is substantially increasing cyber attacks on Russia…..a virtual attack.” Followed by: “Anything goes with our Corrupt News Media today. They will do, or say, whatever it takes, with not even the slightest thought of consequence!  These are true cowards and without doubt, The Enemy of the People!”

He also referred to the New York Times’ article as treasonous.

Trump must be defeated in 2020. For the good of the Nation, for the good of its people. He is a man who wants to be President/leader forever. A true despot. If he succeeds, the following probable consequences: (1) Jails overcrowded with political prisoners, (2) many of whom are charged with treason, and (3) executions will be up, in numbers neither experienced nor thought possible in the United States.

Enjoy your Sunday!

Today’s blog is a follow up to yesterday’s BOLTON AND POMPEO GULF OF OMAN TANKER ATTACKS CHENEY’S WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION. Took only 24 hours for Pompeo’s press conference to be debunked. He blamed Iran with zero evidence. His words were manufactured.

The owner and crew of one of the tankers said no mine attached or hit. Their vessel was “hit by a flying object.”

Pompeo and Bolton are known to be liars. Especially Bolton. What they intended was to manipulate the Iran narrative. Make Iran the bad guy. It was reported yesterday that “…..anyone you see hastening to blame Iran for the Gulf of Oman incident is either a war whore or a slobbering moron or both.”

Pompeo and Bolton top persons advising Trump on international affairs. Both similar to Trump in that they speak with forked tongues.

My education has been neglected. Here I am 83 and have never been to a massage parlor.

Mary is a walker. All over Key West. She mentioned the other day that there was a new massage parlor behind Starbucks and the ice ream stand on Front Street. Called Dancing Finger Massage Parlor. She had never heard of it before either.

Two days ago, we were driving into Old Town on Northern Boulevard. At the end of New Town at the intersection of the Boulevard and Eisenhower is a travel building. Next door, a Dancing Finger Massage Parlor.

Two! Worthy of investigation.

A Dancing Finger Massage Parlor has been in Key West for a few years. Initially in the 600 block of Duval. Must have had a back door entrance as I never saw it. I am assuming it moved to Front Street recently.

All I know! No, I am not going to make a personal visit. Too late and has never been my cup of tea.

Rarely do we hear of polio/tuberculosis. For many years. The disease in the U.S. was basically eradicated many years ago.

It was a different story in 1946. Especially in Key West. Twenty cases reported. Two died. Eleven were transported to Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami. Two to the Naval Hospital in Key West.

As is being observed with the present measles epidemic, certain prohibitions were enforced. In 1946 Key West, children under 16 were barred from theaters, beaches, and other public places. The restrictions rigidly enforced.

Dante came up in a conversation the other day.

A poet. His most notable work the Divine Comedy which he began in the very late 1200’s or early 1300’s. It consisted of 3 books: Hell, Purgatory and Paradise (Heaven).

I am concerned with the Hell portion.

Dante’s poem had Virgil as his guide. Virgil would also be his guide in Book 2 involving Purgatory

The Divine Comedy is considered the most important poem of the Middle Ages. Also the greatest literary work ever written in the Italian language.

I am ashamed to say I have never read the Divine Comedy. However, I learned about it almost daily in college and later as an attorney visited several times over the course of a year the statue of the Gates of Hell. It was on loan to the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

My Spanish professor in college was Professor Cantatore. The man lived for Dante! I studied under him for 2 years. Every day he would shout out at some point in his lecture: Read a page of Dante every day!

I became accustomed after becoming an attorney to stop into the Metropolitan Museum of Art for an hour when ever in New York on business. The visits were good for my soul. I was particularly interested in the Impressionistic gallery.

One visit, I noticed a sign indicating the Gates of Hell was on exhibit. I had to see it. Glad I did. Such magnificence. Such feeling. Such anguish.

The statue was actually 2 large doors representing the entrance to Hell. The inscription on top: “Abandon all hope, ye who enter here.” In Italian, of course.

The doors were huge. Two hundred figures made up heads, half bodies, of people trying to escape Hell. The figures were relatively small. Chaos prevailed. Their pain and suffering obvious. The depths of agony reflected on their faces.

It took Dante 37 years to do the statue. He was always adding, removing, changing something. Dante created the statue in plaster.

It was not cast in bronze till 1925. Rodin the artist. The bronze statue sits in the Rodin Museum near Paris.

I got to see it when the Met was allowed to exhibit it for one year.

Trump’s border wall. Actually a fence.

For well over a year, many U.S. Army soldiers have been stationed at the wall. Waiting for the hordes of thousands to attempt crossing the border into the U.S. I am not sure of the number of military. It keeps changing. Confusing as a result. It could be 3,500, 6,000 or 7,500. Or another number.

What are our soldiers doing? Even Trump realizes his thousand persons horde is not reality.

Trump promised a “big, beautiful wall.” What has been erected thus far is really a “fence.” The soldiers are presently painting the fence. One said it was a better tour of duty than Afghanistan.

Enjoy your day!

I fear history may be repeating itself.

Cheney and Rumsfeld told us Iraq had weapons of mass destruction. So did others in Bush 2’s administration. We bought it. Sounded ominous.

No weapons of mass destruction were ever found. Many Americans died and wounded in a war based on improper data. A war that never should have been.

Now come along Bolton and Pompeo. Two warmongers. Men who have the ear of Trump.

Pompeo yesterday describing Iran’s recent evil deeds in the Gulf of Oman reminded me of Cheney and the weapons of mass destruction.

Pompeo sounded convincing. However, I assume most listened with skepticism after Iraq. At least, I hope.

The U.S. has been squeezing Iran under Trump. Wrongly so. Because of sanctions imposed, Iran is hurting, becoming desperate. If the tanker situation is true, Iran has been forced into the position for which it is now being condemned.

Israel and Saudi Arabia hunger for the U.S. to engage Iran in war. Israel wants to guarantee its own protection. Saudi Arabia wants Iran’s oil. Both want to be king pins in the Middle East. U.S. involvement is required. Each has sucked up to Trump since he became President.

Fortunately, Trump dislikes war. So far. The man is not stable. Becoming increasingly so. You don’t know what he will do next.

Beware, beware, beware. Such is my message.

I have another concern. You will probably think I’m crazy. But it has been in my mind for quite a while..

I worry at some point for some crazy reason Trump will want to take over the U.S.  Impose martial law on all the U.S. The man wants to be King, not President. Forever.

I have been concerned the past 2 years with Trump’s buildup of ICE. I have referred to the stronger ICE as Hitler’s Gestapo.

The Border Control people concern me also. They have increased in strength in the past 2 years.

Heavy stuff. Think about it. Be concerned. Our government itself lacks stability. Anything is possible.

To pleasant local news.

I enjoyed a long and tasteful lunch at Geiger Key yesterday. The mood just right.

Other than Geiger Key, other portions of my day were spent watching the U.S. Open. It will be the same today.

Today is Flag Day.

The first Flag Day was held in 1877. One hundred years after the adoption of the Stars and stripes. At the same time as the U.S.’s Centennial Celebration.

Congress was primarily responsible. Instructed that the U.S. flag henceforth be flown from all public buildings in the U.S.

In 1949, Congress officially designated June 14 as Flag Day, a day of national observance.

Which brings us to the story of Betsy Ross. The women alleged to have made the first American flag.

Not historical fact. Many believe Ross’ story to be myth or fantasy.

No one heard of Betsy Ross and the first flag at the time it was purportedly sewn during the Revolutionary War. It became “knowledge” 100 years later as the U.S. was preparing for its Centennial Celebration

Ross had a grandson named William Canaby. He did an historical research paper indicating his grandmother Betsy Ross had made the first flag. Canaby was of questionable reputation. Many historians believe he was a con artist trying to make a buck.

Historians so believing, view the Betsy Ross story as similar to George Washington and the cherry tree. A myth repeated often enough that some believe it to be fact.

Canaby’s story took hold, however. America at the time was extremely patriotic and Ross’ story was a perfect one for the patriotism sweeping the country. Americans at the time were anxious for any and all stories of patriotism connected to the Revolutionary War.

The Ross story has yet to receive the accolade of being fact. It is a legend. Correct, however?

There is another version. One also considered credible.

Betsy Ross operated an upholstering store in Philadelphia. She also made flags. Not uncommon at the time. People went to an upholstering business to have a flag made.

Her store was actually a front for a house of ill repute. Ross the Madam. The ladies selling their wares in back rooms.

Ross was a loyal American in the making. She wanted to help the cause. She had her “girls” elicit as much information as they could while entertaining British soldiers.

Which is truth and which is fiction?

It is important to note that Betsy Ross’ name never came up till the early 1870’s when her grandson William Canaby was trying to sell “her story” to the Centennial people.

Enjoy your day!

It has been a month since my last drink and cigarette. Did not really bother me till last night.

I only drank and smoked when out. Never at home.

I had been out a couple of times before last night with no problem. Last night, a double edged sword!

I was with Mary at the Chart Room and Pier 1. I wanted a drink. Not badly, but the desire was there. What I really wanted was a cigarette! Wow! The desire fantastic. It continued through dinner.

I handled it. I will continue to handle it.

David was at the Chart Room. Chatted with him briefly. Always good to see David.

Little Money and Coco returned to their ocean home this weekend. Both had been injured and had been treated at the Turtle Hospital.

Different turtle types. Little Monkey a 365 pound mature female green sea turtle. Coco a 250 pound loggerhead.

More than a thousand persons were on the Marathon Beach cheering their return to the sea.

Keys people love turtles!

The Hemingway Look-A-Like contest next month July 18-21. At Sloppy Joe’s, of course.

Over the years, the contest has grown. Last year more than 150 men participated.

Celebrity chef Paula Deen’s husband Michael Groover won last year. Took him 9 years.

No one wins the first time out. Takes about 10 years. Many have been participating 20 years and longer. Know they will never win. However return each year for the comradeship and fun involved.

I particularly enjoy the Running of the Bulls event. All 150 plus dressed in Spanish attire as Hemingway would have been. Running down Duval trying to escape the bulls.

Baltimore Oriole’s star Boog Powell played professional baseball in the 1960’s and 1970′.

His family moved to Key West when he was 15. He played baseball at Key West High School. On this date in 1959, Boog signed his first contract with the Baltimore Orioles.

He had a distinguished career. Played on the World Series Championship teams of 1966 and 1970. He was American League Most Valuable player in 1970.

Boog’s real name was John Wesley Powell. His dad nicknamed him Boog and it stuck. Seems in the South they called little children who were constantly getting into mischief buggers. His dad shortened it to Boog.

The Key West Citizen continues to carry excerpts from William Hackley’s diary. Hackley lived in Key West in the 1830’s.

Mosquitoes were very bad. No Mosquito Control Board. Hackley wrote in his diary for June 13: “Sauntering about and looking for a vessel to leave this place. The mosquitoes are very bad. Wind calm.”

The U.S. Open begins today. It is being played at historic Pebble Beach in California.

I was probably the worst golfer ever. Nevertheless, I enjoyed playing. The comradeship, the sights, the 19th hole.

I used to take golf trips with friends. I was fortunate to play Pebble Beach twice. A tough course! You would not believe how hard! I normally shot around a 100. When I played Pebble Beach, it was around 145.

Besides tough, the course absolutely beautiful! Adding to its beauty and difficulty, it is located on the ocean.

I will be watching the Open the next few days.

No question I am not a Trump supporter. For good reasons.

He was recently interviewed by ABC’s George Stephanopoulos. Excerpts of the interview have become available. The full interview will be aired Sunday evening.

Some Trump responses have already been reported or commented on. Including: He treats his oath to serve the U.S. faithfully with the same contempt he’s given to his wedding vows and business contracts.

Another involved his receiving dirt on his political opponents for the 2020 election from a foreign country: He might not alert the FBI if such information was offered.

This one blows me out: “I like the truth…..I’m naturally a very honest guy.”

His responses bespeak the soul of the man.

The difference between reactive and proactive. Some nations deal with a problem as it occurs. Others anticipate years earlier the possibility, and prepare how to act/counter the problem.

The U.S. is reactive. Pearl Harbor the best example. We had been warned of possible Japanese retaliation re cutting off Japan’s oil supplies. Did nothing. Took a crushing defeat at Pearl Harbor. Fortunately, the American spirit took hold and eventually made it possible for the U.S. to defeat Japan.

The U.S./China tariff war an example of proactive. China prepares for everything. Must be the working of the Asian mind. Ten years ago, China began preparing for a tariff war such as the U.S. has initiated.

Huawei’s Chairman said protective measures must be in place just in case. A decade of planning has gone into how to replace U.S. supplies. A Chinese economist said, “You don’t know what will happen, so you prepare for the worst.”

Interestingly, the Chinese people are reacting now re the U.S. tariffs as the American people did following Pearl Harbor. A determined new nationalism is evident in China. A Don’t Tread On Me attitude. Described also as don’t urinate on me!

New York Times internationally known columnist Nicholas Kristof had some comments in his article today. Concerned child malnutrition. A neglected topic from his perspective.

He wrote, “On the Upper East Side of Manhattan, you can spend $1,000 on an ice cream sundae. A Dubai shop sold a cupcake sheathed in gold leaf for just over $1,000. In America, 56 percent of dogs are overweight. Meanwhile, almost one quarter of children worldwide are stunted from malnutrition in ways that will hold them back and the world back for half a century to come…..Malnutrition is a factor in 45 percent of deaths of children under 5 worldwide, yet gets less than 1 percent of foreign aid (and much less than 1 percent of international headlines).

Enjoy your day!

I realize I am writing more about politics and world event in recent weeks and less about Key West. A reason therefore. The illness took a lot out of me. Pushing 6 weeks now. Still have extreme tired spells. Ergo, I am watching myself and moving slowly.

I plan on going out tonight. With a date. Will see if Mary is available. I’m in the mood for the Chart Room followed by dinner outside at Pier 1.

Enjoyed doing Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou last night. The show provides the opportunity for me to vent. A multitude of items were covered.

If you have not heard the show, join me next tuesday at 9.  Actually, you do not have to wait till tuesday. Each show is archived immediately. Go to my home page .keywestlou.com. On the page you will find a listing for Tuesday Talk shows. I think it is on the top bar second item in from the left. Click once. Then again on what pops up. Voila! You should be there.

As I look at today’s title, I sense it could be subject to a double meaning. Only one is intended. It involves Ronald Reagan. It can only be good!

Two years ago, I wrote about Reagan and the speech he delivered at the Berlin Wall. Today is the anniversary of that speech which Reagan delivered in front of the Berlin Wall in 1987.

His words etched in stone for history: “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!

The world knows Reagan’s words. Few however are aware how difficult it was for Reagan to get them into the speech.

Presidents have speech writers. They write and the President goes over the speech making changes. The speech goes back and forth several times before there is a final draft.

His writers were pussy footing around with the strength Reagan wanted the speech to reflect. On his first reading, he added “Tear down this wall!”

The speech went back and forth several times. Reagan would put the words in and his writers would take it out. They thought it was too strong.

Reagan wanted the message to be strong.

The fifth or sixth time around, a young staffer was with Reagan as he went over the speech. The words had been omitted again.

Reagan said to the staffer, “I’m the President, aren’t I?” The staffer responded, “Yes, sir.” Reagan said, “Then it stays in!”

Strange things happen. Especially deaths when a person is in police custody. What follows is one of the strangest!

On April 9, 2018, Everett Palmer was arrested on some insignificant charge. Jailed.

Palmer a veteran and father of 2 children.

A few days later, Palmer died when in his cell. The police report indicated he kept banging his head against the bars and such was the cause.

The family did not buy it. He was not the type to bang his head against bars.

Not satisfied with the police report, the family hired an attorney and an independent pathologist. The pathologist reported Palmer’s body was badly bruised and his heart, throat and brain were missing.

The family was correct in their suspicion. Something stunk in Denmark.

The Police Chief thereafter concluded Palmer’s death was a homicide and would be under investigation as such. The family awaits the determination of the homicide investigation.

Jurors are instructed to follow the law of the case they heard as set forth by the triall judge. In rare instances, a jury will not agree with the law nor the facts as presented. They sense something amiss.

Such is called jury nullification. Defined as when members of a criminal trial believe the defendant may be guilty, but choose to acquit him anyway because the jurors also believe that the law itself is unjust.

An immigration case. Tried by a federal court. After a one month trial, the jury could not agree. It was “hung.”

A criminal defense attorney will tell you a hung jury is as good as an acquittal. Your client walks out of the courtroom, not into a jail cell.

The case can be retried by the prosecution. Some are, some aren’t.

Scott Daniel Warren is a 36 year old geographer. He is also an activist re the rights of immigrants. He is involved with the group Mas Muertes. Translated, No More Deaths.

Warren is highly respected by the people of the Arizona area where he resides. He is referred to as “an apostle of humanitarians.”

He had been charged with 3 counts of human smuggling.

What did he actually do? Two immigrants had come across the desert. He discovered them in the bathroom of the Barn. A building that cared for immigrants. He did not bring them there. He came upon them.

His “crime” was providing them with food, water, beds and clean clothes.

People of Arizona sat on the federal jury. A number did not agree with the prosecution. Nor did they agree with the law. That is why, in the vernacular of defense attorneys, Warren walked.

Justice was served.

Trump’s new toy are tariffs. He uses them as a weapon to gain concessions from other countries.

There is an old adage something to the effect that one should beware of those he steps on while climbing a ladder. He will meet them again on way down.

Trump brought to mind Chamberlain over the weekend.

Chamberlain was Great Britain’s Prime Minister. He went to Munich to confer with Hitler. A last minute desperate attempt to avoid war. He got a signed document from Hitler assuring him there would be no war if certain concessions were made. Chamberlain made them.

There is a famous picture of Chamberlain when he returned to England. He is stepping off a plane waving the agreement. Shouting to the people…..Peace in our lifetime!

It became obvious over the weekend that Trump, pursuant to his usual course of conduct, had not been completely transparent with the American public re the tariff negotiations a few days earlier with Mexico. Trump claimed a U.S. victory. Per his usual custom.

A problem. The Mexican authorities said that basically nothing new was in the agreement. Matters therein had been agreed to several months before.

The media killed Trump for 48 hours following the disclosure.

Yesterday in a hurried news conference on the way to his helicopter to fly off to Iowa, Trump was asked about the agreement, when agreed to, etc.

He replied no problem. He put his hand in his inside jacket pocket and pulled out a one or two page document and waved it at the reporters.. Like Jack Horner pulling out a plum and saying what a good boy am I!

Trump said here is a secret provision in the agreement that clearly makes the U.S. the winner in the negotiations. He would not show the printed words nor tell the reporters what was in the paper he was holding. He said it was for Mexico to disclose and if they did not, he would down the road.

Chamberlain and Trump birds of a feather.

Now comes the best of the best.

The Guardian reported yesterday that Jared Kushner is part of a firm that has taken in $90 million since 2017. The monies coming from unnamed foreign entities.

Goldman Sachs and the Cayman Islands involved.

Kushner prior to Trump becoming President owned more than a 25 percent share in the operation. When his father in law became President, he disposed of a part leaving less than 25 percent in his name. He did this when he went to work in the White House.

It was reported Kushner failed to report his involvement in an early disclosure form.

The Guardian further reported the investments made were legal. However the source of the cash involved “murky.”

Enjoy your day!

A Morning Stew day it is! A lot to cover this morning.

Terri White has God on her side. At this very moment Donna is taking her home from the hospital. Yesterday, it was discovered she had a 99 percent blockage in one of her blood vessels. A stent was placed. Shortly, she will enjoy her home once again.

The Key West Citizen in its Today in History section is doing a daily William Hackley. Notes from his 1831 diary.

Today mentions that the night before he was visiting a friend, Major Glassel’s home. They took tea and played whist under a large mosquito bar in the house’s chamber.

I was not sure what a “mosquito bar” was. Looked it up. I should have known. It is a wooden frame covered with netting to keep out mosquitoes. As described elsewhere, it was/is the human defense against blood thirsty mosquitoes.

Note that 1831 was well before the introduction of screens for windows and doors.

The Truman Amphitheater is reflecting success. Shows scheduled. People attending.

Sunday, Slightly Stoopid James appeared with his group. A blues, funk and reggae styled band.

Four thousand watched and whooped it up. Mostly younger/millennials. Their music.

I have yet to see a show. I must attend one. One consistent with my music from another day.

One of my favorite Key West people is Christine Cordone. She and her husband Larry Smith friends for 25 years.

Christine is triple talented. She sings. Alone and with Larry. A star on the Key West scene.

She paints. An artist. Watercolors. Began around 10 years ago. A gallery was impressed and began featuring her work. Her first showing a sell out the first night. Her work continues to be in demand.

A school teacher. Thirty years. The last 22 as a kindergarten teacher. One time Teacher of the Year. She is now retired.

On saturday June 15 at 8 in the evening, the Little Room Jazz Club will sponsor a show recognizing Christine’s 30 year career in the 3 areas. Christine will sing and talk her way through the 30 years. Larry and a number of Key West musicians will back her up.

Christine is the perfect Renaissance Woman. A lifetime of work. Three different careers.

Go to her show! It will be over the top! Christine is the best!

Trump is out of his mind. He lacks respect for everyone. Even those equal in stature to him. I refer to China’s President Xi.

The China/U.S. tariff war is ongoing. Appears it will get worse before better. Could continue multiple years.

There is a G-20 meeting later this month in Osaka, Japan. Trump announced that if Xi fails to attend, he (Trump) will add additional tariffs on China. The tariffs will go into effect immediately. There is $300 billion not yet tariffed by the U.S.

Trump has once again thrown the gauntlet down to China. I do not understand how the leader of one great nation can threaten/insult the leader of another great nation.

China is considered the #2 power in the world. Economically and militarily. I suspect it could have moved into #1 spot. The U.S. now #2.

Trump is pissing on Xi and China. You do not do that to another power. In fact, it should not be done to anyone.

China has moved ahead of the U.S. the past 7 years. While we were fighting wars we should not have been and expending military monies on those wars, China was building its military forces. Its naval war vessels mostly new. Its missile and radar works perhaps developmentally ahead of our own. China has built islands with airports thereon in the China Sea where not even islands existed before.

China has gotten ready over the years for whatever might occur.

Trump is spending military budgets of $700 billion and $760 billion the past 2 years in an attempt to catch up.

Russia stands with China.

If there were a war, I don’t know how many countries would stand with the U.S. Trump has alienated our “real” friends in less than 2 years.

The amusing part of this mess is that Trump says he has a “great relationship” with Xi. If so, why the tariff war?

Last week, Mexico City announced it was decriminalizing sex work. A nice way of saying prostitution.

New York State may be doing the same thing.

A bill was introduced yesterday in the New York State Legislature to make it legal to engage in the consensual sale of sex. The bill also vacates prior convictions for sex work.

A coalition has formed to push the decriminalization bill. The group is called Decrim NY. The women involved take the position that sex work is work. It pays more than a normal job for most and helps them and their families subsist.

Prostitution is no big deal in New York at the present time. It is only a misdemeanor punishable by up to 3 months in jail and a fine up to $500.

The Johns are also susceptible presently in New York. Men soliciting sex can be arrested and face prison and fines also. The bill would eliminate the charge.

America is experiencing an oil boom. It will continue to do so for many yeas to come. At the same time, OPEC is in retreat. Going downhill. OPEC hit a 5 year low in May.

I continue to be happy when OPEC suffers. Saudi Arabia the moving force in OPEC. The Saudis are our friends. They gave us $4 a gallon gasoline and many believe were behind 9/11.

One of the blogs I read frequently is the Justice Building Blog. Yesterday’s was titled Appeasement. I share with you certain portions. They are self=explanatory.

Pre-World War II, countries capitulated to Hitler’s demands The result, World War II.

“The lesson from pre-World War II Germany is that bullies will go as far as the nations around them allow them to go.  Dictators will manufacture a crisis, and then seek to resolve it, earning the praise of their citizens.”

“President Trump declares an “emergency” at the U.S./Mexican border. Claiming there is a crisis, Trump threatens ruin upon the Mexican economy, threatening to raise tariffs 5 percent a month on Mexican products unless Mexico capitulates to Trump’s demands. Friday, the Mexican President appeased Trump, acquiescing to his demands.”

“The thing about history is that you never know where a dictator who manufactures a crisis will pop up. Even tragically, as President of the United States.”

“What we do now will be judged as harshly by history, as history now judges Chamberlain and other European leaders in 1938-1939.”

Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou tonight at 9. Join me. Listen to my sincere expressions about everything I believe is being screwed up in the world. You may not agree. However, I guarantee you will enjoy. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou.

Enjoy your day!