Where do I begin…..

I have been doing this blog 15 years. At the beginning, it was difficult to come up with topics I thought people might be interested in/enjoy. Today, no problem!

Tons of topics, issues.

I blame/give credit to Trump. No question, he knows how to create news. Which means my research time has become longer as have the blogs.

Some days there is so much news that It is difficult for me to organize the blog. Those days I do what has become known as a Morning Stew. Write from my notes in the order of the notes. Helter-skelter.

Today #19 in the Morning Stew series.

The “failure” of Trump’s secret meeting at Camp David with the Taliban and the President of Afghanistan a good thing. Nothing of value would have come of it.

From what I understand, the meeting began a week before as a thought in Trump’s mind. He dealt with the Taliban. Ignored the government of Afghanistan. Got both to agree to attend the meeting. We all know what happened and as a result the meeting was cancelled by Trump.

A couple of background facts.

The Taliban were already preaching to their people the “peace meeting” was at the request to the Americans. A Taliban victory. The Americans had capitulated. The Taliban had defeated the “invaders” after 18 years of war. The Americans were leaving Afghanistan “in shame.”

Women’s rights. Always an issue in the Islamic world. The Taliban were willing to agree to deal with women consistent with “Islamic values.”

Not much of a guaranty.

Since the war began in 2001, women in the cities have become modernized. They are allowed to leave their homes, work. No no’s before.

Today’s Afghan women fear a return to the old days. Women being stoned to death, banned from school, and prohibited from being out in public places. Plus, the burqa. Would have to be worn again covering everything but the eyes.

Everyone came out ahead by the meeting being called off. Trump did not have it organized properly. A meeting to end an 18 year old war cannot be arranged and negotiated in a week or two’s time.

The Afghan President had nothing to agree to. Within months, he would have been out. Probably dead.

Trump’s short lived “victory” gone within months. A Kim Jung Un type victory.

Someone referred to Trump as a deal breaker, not a deal maker. True.

Another that Trump put things together on the spur of the moment. True. Not a winning technique.

September 9, 1964 a big day for Key West. As were the two days following.

The Beatles were flying to a concert in Jacksonville. Hurricane Dora forced their plane to land in Key West. Spent 2 days at the Key West Motel on South Roosevelt Boulevard.

Key West went crazy.

The Beatles made good use of the motel’s pool.

People started filling small bottles with the pool water the Beatles had swum in.

The fans were entitled to the indulgence. The Beatles are one of history’s great musical combinations. Brought joy to many.

Jean and Joe Thornton have returned. Concluding a one month European vacation. Not to Key West yet. Got back to Birmingham a few days ago.

Yesterday Hurricane Gabrielle was thought might be a danger to south Florida. Keys included. No more. Gabrielle made a very sharp turn north and then west. It is expected to make landfall in Ireland and the UK in a few days.

Humberto could be a problem. Meteorologists are waiting for it to form.

The possible impeachment of Trump a growing thing. A little bit more each day. Now a smoking gun. Soon to be an arsenal.

Trump is a mean man. The Bahamas are hurting big time. It will take years for certain parts of the Bahamas to return. In the meantime, its people have been crushed.

Miami is only 50 miles away. The Bahamas are closer to Miami than Key West is to Cuba. Many are leaving the Bahamas for the United States. Makes sense. An emergency situation. Take them in!

Trump was quoted as saying in the September 4 Washington Post, “…..the federal government must not forget about our neighbors, just 50 miles from Miami.”

As with everything else, Trump’s position was short lived.

Trump will not permit entry into the U.S. by any Bahamians not having proper papers. He said some are criminals, bad people, etc. He will allow no one in who is not properly vetted.

He shames out nation, he shames our people.

A thought to be shared. Most Bahamians are people of color.

Dinner with Terri last night at Antonia’s. She wanted to skip Aqua.

Good time! Nicolle bartending.

The streets of Key West are quiet. Dead a better description. Off season. However, Antonia’s had an excellent crowd. Strange.

I have been doing Antonia’s for 25 years. Everything the same today as then. With 2 exceptions.

Bread and cookies. Back then, I suspect the bread was fresh baked in house. Doubt it is today. Not as good. Also, at the end of the meal, a small plate of house baked cookies were brought to the table. Free. An assortment. Delicious. No more cookies.

I am not complaining. Though I really miss the cookies.

Trump reminds me of two children’s rhyme characters.

Little Jack Horner. Trump thinks he always does good. In those instances he brings to mind…..Little Jack Horner sat in the corner, eating his pumpkin pie. He stuck in his thumb, pulled out a plumb and said, “Oh, what a good boy am I!”

And then there is Humpty Dumpty. Both Trump and Humpty physically the same.

When Trump falls, and he is going to, the rhyme will have proven itself…..Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall. Humpty Dumpty took a great fall. All the king’s horsemen and all the king’s men could not put Humpty Dumpty back together again.

So it will be.

Two years ago today, a time of major consequence for Key West and the lower keys. Irma made landfall.

Projected as a category 5, it hit Key West as a 1. However 16 miles up the road, it landed on Cudjoe Key as a category 4. And was a 4-5 for the next 60-70 miles up the keys. Major devastation. Bahamas type.

Irma will be with us forever. Can not be forgotten.

Pouring big time at the moment. Weather forecasted to be heavy rain and wind over the weekend.

Father Trump has made and continues to make a big deal out of the Alabama thing. He screwed up and cannot admit he made a mistake. That simple. Would not have been a big deal. He has made it a big deal.

I suspect that as the House proceeds with impeachment, Wilbur Mills telling NOAA to change what had been said will be a big deal.

Daughter Ivanka getting into the picture.

Ivanka is visiting Alabama today or next tuesday. I could not figure out what tuesday from the way it was reported.

The question was asked somewhere this morning whether she would be surveying the hurricane damage there.

My blog talk radio show tonight. Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. Nine my time.

Going to be an interesting evening. So much to talk about. Just as there is so much to write about this morning.

Big Pine took a heavy hit from Irma. A category 4. Some areas still recovering. Trump has failed to provide necessary monies to assist. As he has failed with other areas hit by other hurricanes.

The minor children of Big Pine recall not what Trump did. They recall the assistance the Bahamas provided. Seven children ages 5-10 sold lemonade over the weekend. To raise money to help the people of the Bahamas who had helped them. Note that 5 of the children lost their homes.

The children raised a little over $650. The money has already been sent to the Bahamas.

Another group has not forgotten. The Key  West Sunrise Rotary. They sent a check for $25,000.

I still have pages more. Blog long enough. I will cover some of the topics tonight and write about the others tomorrow.

Enjoy your day!

In today’s modern world, gender equality has a tendency to go a step too far. Sometimes, a mile too far!

An example of political correctness gone mad is what is occurring at a school in Lewes, England.

Last week, 100 female students protested at the gate to their school. The gate was locked barring their entry. Police were in attendance.

The school sought gender equality. Voted the school uniform would require boys and girls to wear pants. No skirts for the girls.

The girls said no way. They would would not attend school unless they could wear skirts. The line was drawn in the sand. As of today, no solution as yet.

Parents support their daughters.

The school insists it is doing what is right. “Gender neutral” addresses “inequality” and “inclusiveness.”

I see the problem a simple one. The girls are being punished in effect because – shock, horror – they want to continue wearing skirts. Let them continue wearing them. Females were wearing skirts before the birth of Christ. Men wearing skirts back then also.

Suppose in support of “gender neutrality,” the boys wanted the right to wear skirts. All hell would break loose at the administration’s end!

One parent suggested that a gender neutral uniform program would allow boys and girls to wear skirts, and both to wear trousers.

Too much for me to handle.

I have more than normal diverse topics today. Difficult to place them in any sort of order. Ergo, from this point forward I am presenting as if this were a Morning Stew blog. Laying them out as they appear in my notes!

A noon brunch at Harpoon Harry’s yesterday. Amazing the business the place does. Seems to have been in its location forever. Fifties style layout. Food good. Prices reasonable.

Even though Key West is still out of season, the place was packed. People required to wait for seating.

Relished my eggs benedict and hash browns.

A Comment to yesterday’s blog read: “The not-so-sharpie, with the sharpie.” An obvious reference to Trump.

A relatively new term gaining in popularity: Media disinformation. Means we ain’t getting the truth!

An example is Venezuela. The U.S. and the U.N.’s involvement in a devious representation.

The information came to my attention in an article published by Voltaire Network on 9/6/19. The thrust of the article was to evidence how Venezuelans had been misled when told they had no future in their home land. Additionally, it was reported Maduro was inept and illegitimate as President.

Note Voltaire claims such based on the U.S. and U.N. working in cahoots.

The article also explored the theory of “migrants as weapons of war.”

The facts.

In August 2018, the international press reported a mass exodus of Venezuelans who were fleeing the famine and chauvinist dictatorship of Nicholas Maduro. The claim was that 18,000 persons a day were fleeing Venezuela.

The U.N. predicted 5.3 million Venezuelan migrants and refugees would leave Venezuela and would be required to live in Latin America. A major crisis.

Actually, no crisis. Voltaire claims the figures were pure propaganda. Nowhere near the predicted number left. Many who did, returned.

The campaign of “media disinformation” seeking to destabilize Venezuela was in error.

This one is a bit over my head. I do not know if Voltaire is correct. I share the article however because if it was, it is cause for significant worry. Migrants being used as weapons of war. Orally and in print, without military weapons.

Trump is playing the game.

Trump keeps expanding the tariff war with China. Trump hits China with an increase, China hits back. The way of the world.

My concern continues to be an all out military conflict. One with the nation considered the second strongest in the world. I wonder whether it is #1.

China’s military has grown in the past 7 years. and continues to grow. China announced last week that it had entered into the mass production of stealth fighters. Chengdu J-20. At the moment, China has 13 in service.

Came across a new word. Hard to spell, hard to pronounce. Schadenfreude. Belongs in a spelling bee contest. Means to derive pleasure from the misfortune of another person.

Trump?

What I am about to share I can only describe as Washington behaving like assholes. Sorry for language. However, it fits.

The Bahamas were hit big by Dorian. A category 5. Things so bad, it will take years for the Bahamas to be totally rebuilt.

Many Bahamians are leaving the Bahamas for the U.S. A mere 50 mile trip.

We should be welcoming them with open arms.

Those leaving were told all they needed was a Bahamian passport and a clean police record.

After getting on the boat and before it departed, it was announced over the public address system that a visa was required also. Those without should get off the boat.

Many did not have visas. Were required to leave the boat.

The U.S. law involved reads: “All persons must possess valid identity and travel documents.”

Another tidbit involved. Turns out a different set of rules apply whether a person flies into the U.S. or arrives by boat. Rules by boat more stringent.

Some of those left behind will probably die. Merely because some bureaucratic idiot in Washington failed to get the visa rule waived. There are no rules requiring adherence in an emergency situation such as confronts the people of the Bahamas.

It has been 6 weeks since my  pancreatitis attack. I spend more evenings at home than out. Drinking the reason. I am off alcohol. The major cause of pancreatitis.

Key West a drinking town. Everyone in the bars at night.

I go much less now. Actually, rarely. As most know, if everyone else is drinking and you are not, it’s tough! No fun.

I have been spending much more time at home. Not bad. Could be better. My evenings are spent writing. Perhaps I will get another book out. Maybe the Italian one.

Here I share that I remain home most evenings, and now I will tell you how I will be out tonight.

Donna is in Detroit. Terri alone. My date tonight. We are attending Aqua’s Dueling Bartenders and then having dinner at Antonia’s.

I look forward to it. Terri good company. Will see others I have not in a while. The not drinking will bother me. I kid you not. Even watching what some will eat at Antonia’s. I am off fats. Someone nearby will be enjoying a steak or lamb chops.

I am paying for my sins!

Enjoy your day!

No question. It is a woman’s world. Men are from Mars, women from Venus does not apply. The reverse is correct. Women are from Mars. Tough!

My thought process re the issue began with today’s schedule for Womenfest.

So far, the gathering has been a success. It will be today also. Women know how to get things done. Has nothing to do with lesbianism. Has to do with the fact that ladies can get things done better than men. Period.

Big day for Womenfest. A drag brunch at the Aqua Sidebar from 11-3. The place will be pouring into the streets. That many ladies will be enjoying breakfast together.

At 3, Hot Dog Church. Laurie Thibaud bartending.

I have not attended for several weeks. The humidity too hot to sit outside. No men and few women attend. Summertime’s heat bothers those in town.

Today there will be more ladies at Hot Dog Church than the breakfast earlier. The ladies will be over flowing into the parking lot.

The ladies cook and bring dishes of this and that. All good!

I am not going. Too many ladies for me. Also, I will know few of them. A male in a lesbian setting is not necessarily welcome. The regulars know and accept me because of Donna and Terri. I am one of the few males who attend. I am the only straight male.

Love the girls! I have made many new local friends by reason of Hot Dog Church.

Another reason I will avoid the event is parking. It will be a disaster! I am not in the mood to walk several blocks, especially in the heavy humidity.

Which brings me to why I think women do a better job than men.

I practiced law for 46 years. Very few female lawyers when I entered the profession in 1960. Proving the point, there were only 2 female students in my law class.

Fifteen years later, things were different. The women were into everything. Not just the law.

I did not enjoy dealing with female opposing attorneys. They did not negotiate like men. Men had a way of talking to each other in a friendly manner and resolving a problem. Everything gentile.

Different with the ladies. They were by the book. Rarely smiled. Everything was 1, 2, 3. No fun, no laughter. All business.

Not only were they tough, they were smart.

It took me a coupe of years to adapt. It took the ladies a couple of years to ease off and treat a male opposing attorney as a friend. Friends can do business fairly and effectively. Both sides had to learn.

Now I look at the world. Women leaders of nations. Women active in business at the highest levels.

I believe men have screwed things up for centuries. Let’s give the ladies a shot. They can do no worse. I suspect they will do much better.

There was no joy in Louis’ house yesterday, Syracuse got the shit knocked out of them! Lost to Maryland 63-20.

I have no further comment.

Dorian is amazing. Heading towards Canada last night. Expected to increase to a category 3. Earlier in the day, it passed the coast of Maine. Winds 100 miles per hour.

I have never seen a hurricane such as Dorian. I pray we never see one again.

Oprah Winfrey. An amazing woman!

Her day time show went national. It became the highest rated talk show in U.S. history. By 2008, Oprah had 46 million viewers weekly.

Trump screws everything up. It is the nature of the man.

We find that a “secret” meeting involving Trump, the President of Afghanistan and the Taliban was to take place today at Camp David. The Afghan and Taliban representatives were to have flown in last night.

The Taliban apparently feared they did not have enough leverage to be successful at the meeting. They conducted a suicide bombing monday in Afghanistan. One last show of power. Eleven civilians and one U.S. service member were killed.

Trump cancelled the meeting. Because of the suicide bombing, Trump was uncertain whether the Taliban leaders could negotiate a “meaningful” peace agreement.

TV star Donald as usual wanted to make the peace result a dramatic showy Trump event.

He should never have conducted a meeting involving an issue of such magnitude in secret. Had the event planned been as a public one, I doubt the Taliban would have opted for a pre meeting suicide bombing.

Who knows? I may be wrong. However, I am sick and tired of Trump spoiling everything he touches.

Perhaps more patience is required. After all, the war is only 18 years old.

I am going to have a late breakfast at Harpoon Harry’s. Eggs benedict and hash browns. Followed by a walk along the waterfront.

Tonight, I don’t know.

Enjoy your Sunday!

Trump has a bad habit. He wants to cause pain to those who do not agree with him. A my way type guy. My way or the highway. Get even. Abuse power. Seek to punish illegally. Bring federal power down unjustly on the innocent.

Obama imposed stricter air pollution and mileage regulations. Trump is significantly eating away at the Obama standards. Effectively returning the U.S. to a time when pollutants and emissions were more deadly.

Four auto makers disagreed with Trump. Ford, Honda, Volkswagen, and BMW. Their attitude…..Leave well enough alone.

In July, California came out with tougher standards. They went opposite the direction Trump was taking. California refused to roll back standards, imposed tougher ones.

The four auto companies backed the California plan.

No problem. Suddenly, the four companies are under an anti-trust investigation.

Trump’s way!

Key West celebrating Womenfest Week. An international celebration. Lesbians and their friends come from all over the world to party.

They take over the town! Properly so.

Difficult for a guy to have fun. Especially a straight one.

I recall several years ago attending an event at Aqua during Womenfest. It was a drag show for the ladies.

Aqua was packed. The ladies all beautiful. Enjoying themselves.

Men few. Actually Louis and the drag queens.

I did not have a good time. Too many ladies dancing to a different tune. I did not belong. I left.

I share the tale with you because I now try to avoid Duval during Womenfest.

Last night, I went south. Geiger Key.

Different people. Different even from those normally in Key West.

Geiger is generally frequented by Geiger Key locals. A breed different from Key West and those who gather during Womanfest. Sort of a cross between Hogfish and Duval.

I enjoyed a fish sandwich and chatting with Geiger Key locals.

Dorian isn’t giving up! Longest hurricane I can recall.

Dorian presently between Block Island and Cape Cod. As a category 1.

Block Island and Cape Cod different type places I have enjoyed and frequented over the years. When at the Cape, I stayed at a hotel. On Block Island, rented a house.

Block Island has a flavor all its own. The small town unique. The homes rented sitting at the edge of high cliffs overlooking the ocean. My Block visits were family time. Most if not all of my children and their families. The houses rented huge. Had to be.

I have experienced a few hurricanes over the years. Three have left me with recollections of an emotionally heavy nature.

Dorian # 1. Though I did not personally experience any part, it was with all of us every day on TV. Into its second week and still going strong. The Bahamas a disaster.

Andrew in 1992 another biggie! A category 5. Ripped through Homestead. Not a building left standing.  Only an occasional wall.

I drove through Homestead 3 weeks after Andrew hit. Sad!!! Hard to believe. The Bahamas look good in comparison.

Irma I will live with forever. The trip back to Key West down Route 1 a tear jerker. Mile after mile. The boats on the streets, cars in the water, houses down like the Bahamas on TV.

Two years later, people still recovering in the central keys. For 2 reasons. The federal government and the insurance companies are moving slowly with assistance. They have failed the keys.

Concerning the Bahamas, Key West is doing its job in assisting. Key West and the lower keys always do.

Three plane loads of supplies left Key West Airport yesterday. More to follow. Every day. Neighbors helping neighbors.

Trump won’t give up with the Alabama thing. Something like 10 tweets and one or two TV news shows.

The world is laughing at him. The people of the U.S. also. He is making a mockery of  himself.

What irritates me is that an Admiral and the NOAA have subjected themselves to the President’s position and supported Trump’s Alabama is going to get hit claim.

An example of a President exercising unreasonable and improper force.

Meteorologists have generally countered the NOAA and the Admiral.

One comment is to the effect that NOAA threw the NWS under the bus. Some meteorologists are baffled and upset with NOAA’s criticism of the NWS. Federal weather workers describe themselves as “shocked” and “irate.”

If we cannot trust the President, who can we trust?

We are in the middle of the hurricane season. Bad so far! It will be a long time before another is as bad as Dorian.  At least, I believe and hope so.

There are 4 more hurricanes on the way. Just beginning. Off the coast of Africa. Ferdinand, Gabrielle, and Humberto. The fourth has not been named yet.

Gabrielle already a category 1. However without even coming close to North America, it has turned sharply north into the Atlantic. The NWS has reported no hazards affecting land are anticipated.

Skipping back to Dorian for a moment, the hurricane was at North Carolina’s Outer Banks as a category 1 yesterday. It made landfall over Cape Hatteras.

An asteroid exploded over the Caribbean yesterday. We had little or no warning.

The asteroid named 2019 MO. Small. Sixteen feet in diameter. NASA spotted the asteroid yesterday “just hours” before it entered the Earth’s atmosphere. At the time first observed, the asteroid was the size of a gnat. This is when it was 310,000 miles away.

Fortunately as with most small asteroids, 2019 MO burned up in the atmosphere.

Syracuse football today! At Maryland. Noon. ESPN.

Syracuse ranked 21. Maryland unranked.

At the beginning of the week, Las Vegas had the spread favoring Syracuse by 2 1/2 points. This morning, the spread has switched. Maryland favored by 2 points.

Highly unusual. Why?

The game will tell us.

Enjoy your day!

Necessity is the mother of invention.

Danger, calamity, etc. awakens ingenuity in man. Hurricane Dorian did.

Jacksonville the place. Dorian on the way. Home owner had a new car. A Smart car. Could not park it in the garage. Garage full of junk. Car had been staying outside in the driveway.

Where to put the car? Dorian due.

No problem. Car owner drove the car into his kitchen. Through the sliding glass doors. Easy to get in. Fit perfectly.

Dorian has passed. Wife is on husband’s ass. Get the car out of my kitchen!

Donna and I apparently birds of a feather. Not sexually.

Donna fell yesterday going into the post office. I fell last week going into the post office. Donna fractured her knee. I broke nothing. Both of us now using canes.

Donna has to be out of town next week. Knee will not prevent the trip. I will be chauffeur and dinner companion to Terri as needed during Donna’s absence. We are already scheduled for Dueling Bartenders and Antonia’s monday night.

Key West has had various businesses over the years. The business came, stayed quite a while, then left.

Each business extremely successful while here. An example is the cigar industry. In 1906, Key West was home to 40 cigar factories employing a total of 2,000 persons.

Today, no cigar factories in Key West.

The old B’nai Zion Synagogue on Simonton street was sold this day in 1969 to a serviceman’s Christian Center. B’nai Zion moved to a new building on United Street.

Today and for many years preceding today, the original synagogue building on Simonton has been home to one of Key West’s finest restaurants. Sarabeth’s.

I may be old fashioned. I believe City Commissions exist to care for local needs. My former home town Utica elected politicians on a regular basis. The politicos knew/understood what the people required. Two things of importance. Plow the streets of snow timely and collect the garbage timely.

The Key West City Commission many times thinks they sit in the Congress of the United States in Washington. They take on the big issues. Forgetting the small ones along the way.

A few months ago, Key West banned certain sun screens that contained particular chemicals. The chemicals purportedly bad for the reef. Scientific proof limited.

This past week, the Commission banned plastic straws.

In the meantime, Old Town roads are a mess. A disgrace. Bumpy as hell. If the holes sink any further, a car may disappear! Said of course with tongue in cheek. The roads are bad, however.

Traffic and parking continue to be problems. The Commission has for years been addressing the problems. With little success. The Commission should spend more time on these local issues.

Then there is Mount Trashmore on Stock Island. Key West’s responsibility. The Commission has been investigating doing something with the mountain of garbage. Perhaps housing.

Whatever, an impossible and extremely expensive task. But time is being wasted examining the possibilities.

Let me place Mount Rushmore in perspective. This morning’s paper announced Key West real property taxes would rise 3.5 percent this year. New parking meters are going up at Smathers Beach. The City needs money.

The cost of removing the garbage top of Mount Rushmore and delivering it somewhere else to be disposed of would cost approximately $75 million. The number has nothing to do with erecting anything. Why waste time even thinking about the issue?

Key West is not the only community involved in matters that belong elsewhere.

San Francisco recently declared the NRA a “Domestic Terrorist Organization.”

The noose is tightening when it comes to our rights. Trump step by step has been eroding basic rights.

No question Trump has screwed up the immigration situation. Yahoo News announced tuesday it had obtained a document setting forth a new area for FBI monitoring. Per the document, the FBI is now tracking border protest groups as extremist organizations.

What happened to freedom of speech? Freedom to protest?

Relations between the U.S. and China are strained to say the least. War a concern. Could be inevitable.

Nicholas Kristof is one of the most well respected columnists in the world. I consider him knowledgeable and generally on point.

He is a New York Times Opinion Columnist.

Kristof published a war with China column tuesday. Titled: This Is How A War With China Could Begin.

The article began…..”First, the light in Taiwan goes out.”

Taiwan and China have been at each other’s throats for some time. Things getting worse, not better. The conflict could find the U.S. being drawn in. A 1979 American law commits the U.S. to Taiwan’s defense. The verbiage a bit ambiguous. Sufficient however to get us involved.

Kristof’s analysis not one you would expect. The Taiwan/China conflict would not begin with an amphibious invasion. First, a cyberattack. Then sabotage of underwater cables. Concluding with interference by China in the South China Sea with tankers carrying oil to Taiwan.

At what point would the U.S. get involved? Is the U.S. prepared to get involved?

So many years the U.S. has been involved in Afghanistan. Our first general was finally killed. Major General Harold J. Greene, age 55. The highest ranking member of the military to be killed.

Communication moves fast today. Same day. Cell phones, e-mail, the internet,  etc.

There was a time when things were slow. Very slow.

Take for example Robert Peary and the North Pole. Peary had discovered/arrived at the North Pole. Word of his success took 5 months to arrive. It was not till this day in 1906 that the world became aware of Peary’s great feat.

Syracuse plays its second game of the season saturday. Against Maryland. Noon. ESPN.

I shall be watching the game from the comfort of a chair in my living room.

Enjoy your day!

He does the ridiculous! He then lies to cover it up!

Our President. Donald Trump.

He writes with a Sharpie. The pen gives him that bold signature we always see when he holds up an Executive Order.

It was never contemplated that Dorian would hit Alabama. Not part of expert consideration.

A few days ago, Trump announced that Alabama was safe, would not be hit. Problem was no one ever said Dorian was going to affect Alabama in any way.

Trump must have picked up on his error. Yesterday, he was flashing an official U.S. weather map. One specifically intended to reflect Dorian’s movements.

The map was published 8/29. Yesterday, 9/4. Trump had the 8/29 map in hand. It showed in white the outer parameters of Dorian. The white parameters gave no indication of an Alabama hit.

However someone had extended the cone using a black Sharpie to show the storm would hit Alabama. Someone had screwed with an official document by so doing.

Trump showed the corrected version on the internet. As if to say, I was correct it would hit Alabama!

He took a beating all day that someone hard marked up the original. He further was questioned as to why a U.S. Weather Bureau office in Alabama had immediately said on 8/29 that the President was wrong. No way would Alabama be involved.

Our President is never wrong. Five days later he is on TV with the corrected version claiming he was correct.

Amazing, the man cannot even correctly bungle something up. White lines, the added black Sharpie lines.

When questioned, Trump said he do not know where the black line came from. Repeated his lack of knowledge 3 times in a row.

The only positive that comes out of this scenario is that we can say with confidence he knows where Alabama is. Nothing more.

Tampering with an official weather map is illegal under the U.S. Code. Punishable by a fine or 90 days in jail.

I doubt Trump will be pursued criminally. He is the President!

Some pray, some do not. Some talk to God, some do not.

The power of prayer can be strong. There are those instances when it can be misapplied.

Marianne Williamson is a candidate for the Democratic nomination for President. A bit weird. I have been watching her closely during the campaign. Initially, I was impressed. Her words wholesome. Her direction uplifting.

I have come to the conclusion she is a bit of a nut.

She has taken the position that Dorian did not hit the U.S. because of “prayer.” The “power of the mind” kept Dorian away.

Apparently the people of the Bahamas did not pray sufficiently. Such is why they were hit badly.

Williamson said, “Two minutes of prayer, visualization, mediation for those in the way of the storm” prevented the storm from hitting U.S. shores as it did the Bahamas.

I pray, though infrequently. I talk to God often, however. Especially in those instances when I want to know why something adverse is happening to me.

However, I cannot accept Williamson premise that it was prayer that saved the U.S. To do so means alternatively that God wanted to punish the Bahamian people. I am confident they pray also.

Key Westers are a good hearted people. They forget not. Especially the help that came from all sources 2 years ago when Irma befell the keys.

Dorian hit the Bahamas. Key West immediately recognized its obligation to help. A group “Key West Cares” has been formed. Purpose to get aid quickly to our neighbors a mere 50 miles away. First money. Then water, food, etc. Money works quickly initially.

A second meeting was held yesterday at City Hall. The Commission Chambers packed.

Peter Batty and Mark Rossi 2 of the group’s leaders.

Amazing how persons of different strokes come together in a time of calamity.

Peter Batty is a Deacon at St. Mary By the Sea Catholic Church. Mark Rossi is the owner of the Red Garter. A gentlemen’s club/strip joint on Duval.

Batty made an interesting comment: “Between the two of us, we can cover everything from the sacred to the profane.”

Dorian dropped to a category 2 yesterday. Back up to a 3 today. Dorian will skirt the Carolina’s today. Perhaps even turn inland a bit.

Surges of up to 8 feet anticipated.

Dorian certainly throwing his weight around. And for a longer period than normal.

New York Time columnist Eugene Robinson wrote yesterday in view of Dorian, “Climate change is real. Welcome to the new normal.”

I doubt I shall ever forget Irma. It left its mark on me.

Irma hit Key West 2 years ago on September 10, 2017. For several days prior, it was coming straight at Key West. No deviation. Anticipated to be a category 5 when it hit.

Too much for me! I got out!

Left 5 days before Irma arrived. It was September 5 when I began heading north on U.S. 1.

All indications were Irma was going to hit the lower keys and then ride up the west side of Florida. So I put into Pompano for the night figuring I was safe on the east coast.

The motel evicted me the next morning. Irma had changed her mind and was going to come up the east coast.

I decided I was going to get as far away as I could. Far far away.

I decided to drive up the Florida Turnpike. It runs up the center of Florida. If Irma changed its mind again or continued to change its mind, I would be safe. Plus, I was getting out of Florida. My goal Atlantas, Georgia.

A long drive from Pompano. Got there late at night. Was lucky to get a room at the downtown Marriott. Forty seventh floor. One wall window floor to ceiling. Beautiful view!

I was safe!

Turned out not. Two days later, the Marriott threw me out. Irma was coming!

Note it had yet to hit landfall in Key West or the lower keys.

What to do? Jean Thornton! She and Joe live in Birmingham, Alabama. She said if I wanted, to give her a call and stay at their home. I did.

The trip a success! Fun! Myself and 5 other “escapees,” 2 dogs, and Jean and Joe together for 12 days. A party!

When I returned to Key West, I saw the damage wrought by Irma all the way down the keys.

Thought I was leaving late enough so the water and power would be on. They were. Went off within 48 hours for a few days.

Only part of the Irma story.

I wrote a book about my experience. Irma and Me. Very very interesting. What I have set forth thus far only a small part of that experience. Some funny, some sad.

I sat glued to the TV screen last night from 5-11. Watched the remaining 10 Democratic candidates being interviewed by CNN. The topic climate change.

Got to tell you something. Mayor Pete Buttigieg impresses me more and more.

Have to hustle. A manicure at noon.

Enjoy your day!

Dorian’s decimation of the Bahamas has made it possible for Washington windbags to be heard in full voice.

It never ceases to amaze me how Washington can speak about a calamity, assure all will be done to help, and then fall far short of accomplishing its promises.

It happened with Puerto Rico, Florida’s Panhandle, Michael, and Irma.

It is the old story. Money talks and bullshit walks.

Trump has assured in the past few days that the U.S. will help the Bahamas. So far the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency has sent $250,000 to the Bahamas. A pittance!

What is needed immediately is obvious. Water, food, shelters, chainsaws, and plastic sheeting. Does not take a genius to recognize the needs.

Can’t jump right in, however. Washington says required needs must be evaluated. I do not understand why. A category 5 hurricane tells us what is required. Everything!

The U.S. does not work that way however. It first has to assess and evaluate. While daily telling the world it will help, nothing moves. A “disaster response team” is in place. Its purpose to determine need and then react to the need.

Areas for “pre-existing assets” to be set up have been determined. Miami, Houston, Barbados, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic.

When it has been decided what the Bahamian needs are, the goods will be sent to those areas first and then onto the Bahamas.

People are hurting today. They have been hurting ever since Dorian first came over the Bahamas. Now time will be spent evaluating needs. Then the necessary items sent.

In the meantime, people are without water. The most basic of needs. Food, power, etc. How long it will take to decide and provide, no one knows. If it takes one day too long, it is one day too much.

Instead of Trump and his cohorts talking a good game about helping, the U.S. should get to it like yesterday.

We are all God’s children. We should help each other in moments of calamity. We were going to do so in Puerto Rico, the Panhandle, places that Michael brought ruin to. Even Irma. Two years ago, Irma hit and people in some areas of the keys are still living in tents, without water and power.

Once again, talk is cheap. Lets see if Trump and Washington can do a faster and more efficient job helping the people of the Bahamas. Even though they are not “our people.”

I have a feeling the U.S. will be as helpful with the Bahamas as it has been with U.S. areas and territories.

Last night, Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. Great show! I apologize for my modesty. It was a good one, however.

Much to discuss. Dorian, sick immigrant children Trump wants to send back, immigrant children part of a mumps epidemic in the detention camps, the banning of the crossbow in 1147 in an effort to ban war, and a China today/Japan 1941 comparison leading to World War II in 1941 and I am not sure where the U.S./China tariff war will take us.

Big political evening ahead! Tonight, CNN for 7 consecutive hours will interview the remaining 10 Democratic candidates re climate change. Starts at 5 pm.

As much as I love politics, sounds a little long.

Walmart deserves a medal! Several of them. And a slew of new customers.

Walmart CEO Doug McMillon announced yesterday that Walmart will stop selling ammunition for handguns and military style weapons, completely end the sale of handguns, and discourage anyone from carrying weapons in a Walmart Store (even in open carry States).

McMillon’s position re guns takes courage. Something lacking in most major CEO’s.

Walmart is deeply in robot use. The latest group are referred to as “creepy robots.”

Robots will be used to scan shelves. During normal open hours. The robots going down aisles mingling with customers. The robots function to roam the aisles looking for items out of stock or out of place. The robots would then alert a human with the information who in turn would remedy the issue.

The use of the “creepy robots” began this summer in 350 Walmart stores.

The New York City measles epidemic has ended. Thanks goes directly to New York Mayor Bill de Blasio. A hard ass. However, he gets the job done.

The New York City outbreak was the largest in 30 years.

Measles was declared eliminated in 2000. It was if the rules had been followed. Get the measles vaccination!

Some did not. Generally on religious grounds. In 4 Brooklyn neighborhoods which made up an ultra Orthodox Jewish community.

The Mayor handled it well. Declared a public health emergency, spent $6 million, put together a staff of more than 500, mandated vaccinations.

The epidemic consisted of 654 cases. An epidemic is declared over when 2 incubation periods (42 days) go by without any new cases reported.

Trump and his wall!

Remember during the campaign. He was going to build the wall and Mexico was going to pay for it! The wall not yet built. Mexico will never pay for it.

Trump in a corner. Everywhere he goes for the money, he runs into a brick wall! Neither brick nor a wall. Sounds good, however.

During the last 2 budget periods, Trump has cried out for additional monies for the military budget. He claimed it had been ignored for years. More money needed.

He got the money. Huge dollars 2 consecutive years.

It was announced last week that Trump was taking $3.6 billion out of the military budget and moving it over to fund the border wall.

The Pentagon advises 127 military projects will be affected.

Most Presidents want to be war Presidents. I could never understand it.

Trump seems to want to be one. Together with John Bolton, wars are planned and threatened all over the world.

Four months ago, Trump sent 3,500 troops to the Colombian/Venezuelan border. They sat on the Columbian side. Trump claimed he was considering attacking Venezuela for humanitarian reasons. The people were starving under Maduro.

I don’t know where Trump had been. The Venezuelan people had been starving for 7 years under Maduro. They were starving several years before Trump even took office.

Russia did not approve of Trump sending the troops to the border in contemplation of invasion. Putin sent Russian planes and boot soldiers to Venezuela. China indicated they stood with Russia in regard to whatever might be done.

Trump blinked.

I am not sure what happened to the 3,500 U.S. troops. Russia’s planes and troops still in Venezuela.

The real reason the U.S., Russia and China are interested in Venezuela has nothing to do with people starving. It has to do with oil. Venezuela has the largest oil reserves in the world.

Though not certain, I suspect the U.S. troops are still in Columbia.

Venezuela complained to the United Nations recently that training camps for military plotting had been established in Columbia. Venezuela claimed the U.S. was involved. That the U.S. intended to use Columbia as a launching pad for regime change efforts and sabotage operations.

The U.N. has not made a decision as to Venezuela’s charges as yet.

Enjoy your day!

Trump misspeaks frequently. Twice this weekend. Once re Alabama, the other Poland.

Misspeaking is a faux pas. A faux pas is misspeaking.

I ran into a problem re the two attributed to Trump. How is the plural of faux pas spelled?

I continue to live and learn. At 84. Amazing.

The plural of faux pas is faux pas. Spelled the same.

Back to Trump and his 2 faux pas.

Trump was showing off his intelligence re Dorian. He said Dorian was going to hit Alabama. Never in the cards. Never considered by the experts. Never mentioned.

The National Weather Service publicly spoke out to correct Trump. The Service advised that Alabama would not see any impact from Dorian. The reason being Alabama was too far west for Dorian to reach.

The other Trump faux pas involved Poland.

Eighty years ago, Germany invaded Poland. The beginning of World War II. Poland treated poorly under Nazi domination.

Actually, Poland had 50 consecutive years of foreign domination. Soviet Russia followed Germany.

Poland scheduled a commemorative event this past weekend to acknowledge the 80th anniversary of the invasion. Not a celebration of joy. One to acknowledge Poland survived Hitler’s attack and brutality.

Trump was to attend the event. At the last minute, he decided it was better for him to remain in the U.S. and follow Dorian. He did so effectively. Trump spent the 2 days playing golf at one of his courses.

He sent Pence in his place.

Over the weekend, Trump was asked a question by a reporter about Poland and the event. His response a typical Trump faux pas: “I have a message for Poland…..I just want to congratulate Poland.”

Congratulate what? Trump was not aware the commemoration was not a celebratory one. Rather, a dark and traumatic time in Poland’s history.

Trump’s conclusion re the Polish event consistent with his position that he went to Wharton, is educated, and well versed in history.

Raining big time in Key West this morning. Can’t be Dorian.

It is anticipated Key West may have some minimal rain and winds. Too early, however. Dorian is still over the Bahamas. Following which it is turning right up the Atlantic. It may scrape the U.S. coast line. However beginning somewhere on the Florida mainland.

I have seen some 30 years of hurricanes and tropical storms in Key West. Irma the only one that left me with a somber feeling. Can’t shake it. Writing the book Irma and Me did not help alleviate the feeling of dread.

Key West and the Florida keys are fortunate that Dorian will not hit the area.

Maybe some rain and wind. Perhaps flash floods and surges. All that even too much. I doubt anything of significance.

Never made Dueling Bartenders last night. Decided to skip over to Roostica for dinner instead. Rosstica’s broiled chicken outstanding!

Tonight Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou.Lots to talk about. Especially Dorian. Little re Trump. I will be touching on events not involving Trump.

We need a break.

Join me for a quick moving half hour. Guaranteed you will enjoy. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou.

Enjoy your day!

So many things happening.

Dorian. Top of the list! Yesterday knocked the hell out of the Bahamas. A category 5. Winds 185 mph. Total devastation.

Sometime today, Dorian will either hit the U.S. or rake its coast line. Wind gusts of 220 mph. Surges 18-25 feet. As much as 25 inches of rain.

If it makes U.S. landfall, it will be anywhere from Miami north. Could be Georgia or South Carolina.

Dorian truly fickle. No one precisely sure its direction….. at any moment!

Two other category 5’s come to mind. The 1935 Labor Day Hurricane and Hurricane Andrew in 1992.

The 1935 hurricane hit mid keys. Two hundred miles per hour. Five hundred died. Bodies were washing up for months.

Key West appears secure. Rain is expected however. Heavy. Showers and thunderstorms.

Most recent Texas shootings that occurred a few days ago. Odessa involved. Seven died. Twenty plus injured.

One of the injured a 17 month old baby girl. Why????? She is to be operated on this morning.

Fifty three people were killed in the U.S. in August as a result of mass shootings.

Come September when Congress returns, gun legislation should be at the top of the agenda. Easy small stuff probably will. Significant will not. Thank Congressional people who continue to suck up to the NRA and gun manufacturers. For political support and huge campaign dollars.

The people deserve better. I know it. You know it. Washington does not.

Pope Francis announced yesterday he is appointing 13 new Cardinals. None from the U.S. Not really a problem. The U.S. already has something like 27 or 34.

Mark Anthony and Cleopatra. Lovers of old. Brought ruin to Egypt. Each died by suicide.

It was on this day in 31 B.C. that the Battle of Actium took place. A sea battle.  Off the western coast of Greece. The Roman leader Octavius defeated the forces of Mark Anthony and Cleopatra.

The defeated lovers fled to Egypt where they ultimately committed suicide one year later.

Key West acquired a new hero on this day in 2013. Diana Nyad. She was the first person to swim from Cuba to Florida without a shark cage. A 110 mile swim. Took her 53 hours.

She came ashore at Smathers Beach in Key West.

She took to Key West and Key West to her. An immediate love affair.  Diana a frequent visitor. Loved by all.

George H. W. Bush was a Navy pilot in the Pacific during World War II. Flew 54 missions. A torpedo plane pilot.

He was shot down twice. The first time in June 1943. He was rescued by a U.S. destroyer.

The second time he was shot down was on this day in 1944. Spent 4 hours in a small raft before being rescued by a U.S. submarine.

Fortunate he survived both shot downs and the War. Otherwise, he never would have been President nor would he have had a son who would become President.

I live and learn. The older I get, the more I realize how little I know.

The French Revolution 1789-1799.

It was September 1792. The month became known as the month of September Massacres.

The guillotine did a big business. That you and I knew. What I recently learned however is that the revolutionaries were not fond of Catholics. Three busops, 200 plus priests and a number of Catholics believed to be royalists sympathizers. Their lives ended via the guillotine.

A message here. Catholic clergy should stay out of politics.

The U.S. Conference of Bishops is a far right organization. It does not necessarily represent the views of U.S. Catholics. However, the organization purports to speak for them.

Some day U.S. Catholics as a whole may suffer as a result of the Conference’s positions.

Hopefully, Dueling Bartenders tonight.

I have decided to grow a beard. I am 10 days into it. Looks terrible! Sloppy! Ten more days and it wil bel fine. Like the Smith Brothers. How many remember the Smith Brothers?

Enjoy your day!

BEFORE I BEGIN…..PROBLEM CORRECTED. GO DADDY HAD UPDATED ME TO A DIFFERENT SERVER. THAT IS WHERE THINGS GOT SCREWED UP. FAILED TO ADVISE ME TO CLEAN BROWSING HISTORY AND THEN TYPE IN keywestlou.com. I HAVE DONE IT. PROBLEM ELIMINATED. YOU MUST DO THE SAME.

Several years ago, I wrote a KONK Life column concerning Napoleon and why he sold the Louisiana territory to the U.s. so cheap. Mosquitoes!

Napoleon’s original intent was to use the Louisiana Territory for French expansion purposes in North America. He arranged for a part of his army to go to Louisiana and begin the conquest.

First however he had them stop in Haiti. The French were under the command of Napoleon’s brother in law.

Haitian natives had been in rebellion. He told his brother in law to first put down the Haitian revolutionaries and then to move on to Louisiana.

One problem. The French were not familiar with the mosquito problem in Haiti and its ravishes. Napoleon’s first set of troops basically eliminated. Died from malaria and/or yellow fever. As did his brother in law.

Napoleon sent more troops. Wiped out by the mosquitoes once more. Sent another group with the same result.

That did it! Napoleon was facing European nations that were preparing to do battle against France to depose Napoleon. His forces were being diminished. He had it with the Americas!

He sent emissaries to Thomas Jefferson. Their instructions were to sell the Louisiana territory to the U.S. for whatever they could get. The amount immaterial. Just get him out!

They did. Therein lies the reason why Jefferson was able to make the great buy of the Louisiana territory.

Mosquitoes continue to be a problem. Even today. In the lower Florida keys for example, there is an elected Mosquito Control Board. Helicopters, trucks, etc. Spraying on a regular basis. Property examinations also.

Timothy C. Winegard recently published a book concerning mosquitoes titled The Deadliest Hunter of Humans on the Planet.

I have not read the book. I have read excerpts.

The book profiles the creature that has changed the course of war and empire, and survived every attempt to wipe it out.

A quote from the book’s introduction succinctly dramatizes the conclusion: “The mosquito has killed more people than any other cause of death in human history. Statistical extrapolation situates mosquito inflicted deaths approximately half of all humans that have ever lived. In plain numbers, the mosquito has dispatched an estimated 52 billion people from a total of 108 billion throughout our relatively brief 200,000 years of existence.”

Onward, ever onward. Shooting deaths in the United States. Not fewer. More. With frequency.

The latest yesterday. Texas again. Seven dead, 19 injured.

When will it stop?

If Trump wants to be a hero, he should change his position re the gun control issue. He should abandon the NRA and gun manufacturers. He should join the high percentage of Americans who want effective gun control.

I doubt Trump has the courage to do it nor the understanding as to why it must be done.

The time is now!

Dorian is taking his time. Moving very slowly. Building in force, however.

At 8 this morning, it was reported Dorian was a category 5 with speeds of 160 miles per hour. Landfall probably the West Palm Beach area. Not certain, however. Could still turn slightly north and avoid most of the Florida coast.

We will know for sure tomorrow night or sometime tuesday.

Dorian is not the end of the hurricane danger. It is only the middle of the hurricane season.

Two storms are developing. One in the far eastern Atlantic close to Africa. Meteorologists tell us they will know more in 5 days.

The other is coming from the opposite direction. From the west. The Gulf of Mexico. Again too early to tell if either will grow into an actual hurricane.

Syracuse and Liberty  Universities played their first game of the season last night. Syracuse won 24-0.

I was unimpressed with the score. Syracuse should have had at least 2 more touchdowns. The reason it might not was Liberty has a new coach and no film of games he has coached. Everything is important in achieving a victory of any size.

Syracuse’s other problem was at quarterback. Eric Dungey is gone. Sophomore Tommy DeVito the quarterbacking this year, He played sufficiently last year. Looked good! Not last night. He was 17 for 35.

I never got to see the game. Everything has changed!

It was carried on ESPN+. The + new. It strings the games over the internet. You watch on your computer screen, unless you buy a special hookup so you can see it on TV.

I have a terrific sports package with Comcast. The game was not available there. Comcast for once was very cooperative. The Comcast person spent a half hour with me to see if perhaps Comcast had hooked up with some other channel. No.

A pain in the ass!

I will be checking things out this week to see how it is done, cost, etc.

Numbers always interesting. Statistics generally provide an accurate picture.

Bloomberg reported this week that more people are presently leaving New York City than any other in the U.S. Two hundred seventy seven a day. Based on 2018 census data.

The U.S. city with the most dramatic immigration numbers is Phoenix. Sixty two thousand based on the same census data.

Today important in world history. World War II began this day in 1939. At 4:45 in the morning. Hitler hit the entire Polish border. Sent in 1.5 million troops, the Luftwaffe bombed Polish airfields, German warships and U-boats attacked Polish naval forces in the Baltic Sea.

A major invasion! Actually, overkill.

Hitler justified the invasion similarly to how Trump excuses some things he does. Hitler claimed the invasion was a decisive one. Big well equipped Germany against tiny Poland who still road horses into battle. Poland never threatened Germany. They would have been crazy to have done so.

Hitler also justified the invasion with the excuse that Germany needed “living space.” Germany was purportedly busting at the seams population wise. Especially following the Austrian plebiscite.

Racism was part of the justification. Hitler considered Germans “racially superior.” Germans would change the Polish area, native Slavs would be enslaved.

Enjoy your Sunday!