There is but one certain winner tonight at Trump’s Tulsa Rally.

Coronavirus!

An arena holding 19,000. A building next door holding thousands more. The streets packed with Trump followers and protesters.

Such indicative of only tonight. For several days, out of towners wanting to watch the President have been arriving in Tulsa and living/sleeping in sidewalk tents. Social distancing not even a thought. Very few wearing face masks.

The coronavirus bug has to be saying WOWIE! All those people to infect! Especially those without masks and no social distancing.

A coronavirus delight! The cherry on top of an ice cream sundae.

Even better, the virus will travel with those out of town attendees when they return home. New bodies to infect!

A second problem tonight will be confrontations. Between anti-Trump protesters and those providing security.

Word is Trump has arranged for the national guard to be present. From which State I have not been able to ascertain. Additionally there will be local police, State Police, and Secret Service. In the largest numbers possible.

The confrontations could be bloody. Extremely.

I would expect those protecting the President and rally to be on the ready to react to the slightest disturbance. I would assume they will have the benefit of humvees and helicopters.

The days of Martin Luther King, Jr. and Mahatma Gandhi are long gone. Though the protesters speak of “peaceful marches,” I sense  the protesters will fight back. Many will arrive prepared with guns and other items of war. People of color feel this is their time and will not relent.

I believe, though I could be wrong, that tonight will not be televised. It will only be available via streaming. I am still trying to figure out how to find an available stream to Key West and one which is free.

If anyone knows, please let me know.

One last point. I was a history major. I read voraciously. Especially historical books. I never read about the black tragedy which occurred in 1921 in Tulsa. I never knew it occurred.

Apparently buried so it would be forgotten and no one would know.

Enjoy your day!

Juneteenth. Never hear the word till 2 weeks ago. Already a bill being prepared for Congress to vote on to make the day a federal holiday.

Juneteenth is the special way June 19th has come to be pronounced over the years. Often described as the Black Fourth of July. It is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the U.S.

How the day came to be.

Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation became effective January 1, 1863. What most people fail to realize is it did not free all the slaves. It only freed those living in rebellious states. Lincoln wanted to weaken the South by freeing the slaves. Hopefully they would run away from their plantations.

June 19, 1865 is recognized as the birthday of the Black Fourth. Note the Thirteenth Amendment which freed slaves was not ratified till December 1865, some 6 months later.

Texas was the most remote of the slave states. Received Civil War news later than other states.

Union soldiers landed in Galveston, Texas on June 19th. They brought news that the war had ended and slavery had ended.

The blacks were jubilant. Most left immediately for the north. Traveled looking for relatives in other states.

June 19th was coined as a day of celebration. It grew in Texas in succeeding years. Then in other southern states. It became a time for the blacks to reassess each other, pray, and gather family members together.

Then except for Texas, the day began fading. Its resurgence came with the Civil Rights movements of the 1950’s and 1960’s. Received another significant move forward with the Poor People’s March on Washington.

In June 1980, Texas made Juneteenth an official holiday. Since then Juneteenth has experienced exceptional growth. Celebrates all African American freedom and achievement.

Most likely George Floyd’s death and that which ensued is responsible for the attention the day is now receiving. Black people want it formally recognized as their Fourth of July.

Key West is celebrating the day. Today. A Freedom March.

The March begins at 5 with speeches at the Key West Cemetery. At 6, the group will begin a march to Mallory Square.

There are some things I don’t like. They bother me.

Like tearing down Thomas Jefferson’s statue. Tearing down or vandalizing statues of other American heroes with little connection to slavery in years long prior to the Civil War.

Changing Aunt Jemima’s picture and name I find troublesome.

It has been announced that Uncle Ben’s, Mrs. Butterworth, and Cream of Wheat are rebranding in fashion similar to Aunt Jemima because of their racist origins.

Learned yesterday that many Blacks object to the use of the terms “Uncle” and “Aunt.” The words were a Southern form of address first used with older enslaved peoples, since they were denied the use of courtesy titles.

Respectfully, it seems society is going a step too far. Too much is being asked by Blacks.

An exciting week for Supreme Court decisions. Two significant ones. The first the recognition of the rights of gay, lesbian and transgender rights in the work force. The other, the DACA victory. Which blocked Trump from deporting the children brought by their parents illegally to the United States.

A significant federal court hearing at one today. Trump is seeking an emergency order to block the release of John Bolton’s book.

Justice in this case would be permitting the publication to go forward. The book was already reviewed by Trump’s people and whatever they wanted removed was removed. Now Trump at the last minute claims there are more objections.

Additionally, the book has been sent to media personnel already. By whom, I am not sure. The book’s contents have been freely discussed on news talk shows for several days. The cat is out of the bag!

Typical of Trump and his insatiable quest for personal gain, the Court is being asked that in the event it fails in its request for injunctive relief, that Trump receive a share of the book’s profits.

People are hurting. Unemployed number 46 million. And the number continues growing weekly.

Compounding the problem, many are not receiving their unemployment checks. Months late in some instances.

The reason obvious. The states have run out of money. How is this problem to be remedied?

Another example of how government cannot be relied upon in case of emergency.

Recently, I began a 3 part series. The first 3 worst hurricanes in recorded history. One left to go. The Hurricane of 10/17/10. Not today, however.

I have been researching the hurricane. Came across an item I suspect will be of interest to those of you who read the Key West Citizen.

May Johnson is the belle of 1896. A 20 year old school teacher. A major item of fun is dancing at La Brisa as many times as possible. Like several evenings a week.

Researching for the Hurricane of 10/17/1910, I came across a La Brisa item.

Someone wrote comparing it to roulette. In doing so, the 10/17/1910 hurricane was compared to the 10/1909 one of the previous year. Described as a storm of the greatest intensity.

A gambler I am not. However the term “repeater” is prevalent among roulette players. It means that a certain number will come up twice in succession 1,296 – 1 times.

The Hurricane of 10/17/1910 was considered a “repeater.”

La Brisa was a pleasure pavilion. Primarily used by the affluent. Dancing, dining, etc. It was located at the Atlantic end of Simonton Street.

Owned by the Key West Electric Company.

La Brisa was washed from its pillars and dashed to pieces. Most washed out to sea.

Rain, rain, rain. Are we having rain! Almost every day for 3 weeks. Heavy pouring rain. Strange. Not the rainy season yet.

The local feeling is coronavirus is going to strike Key West and the Keys in general soon. We came through the virus pretty much ok till recently. The numbers have started to creep upward.

The Monroe County Commission voted wednesday that all businesses must require employees and customers to wear masks. Mandated!

Any violation a civil rather than criminal one. Subjects the person to a $500 fine. Had it been criminal, the fine would have been $500 and 60 days in jail.

Not going to work!

Greece has come through the virus well. The government was tough. The people listened.

Punishment was heavy. The owner of the business was fined, not the customer, if someone was not wearing a mask. The fine $20,000.

Louis says fine the owner and make the sum astronomical as the Greeks did. Guaranteed everyone will be wearing masks!

Hurricane Irma. Almost 3 years ago. Hit 9/10/17.

People and places still hurting.

Every now and then we hear about money coming from some government source. This time $4.9 million from the Florida Historical Department to repair 3 local historical sites.  The Key West Lighthouse and Keeper’s Quarters, Pigeon Key’s Honeymoon Cottage, and the Citadel at the Fort West Martello.

The coronavirus of today the yellow fever of yesterday.

On this day in 1865, the bark Adventure put into Key West. Four of the crew had yellow fever. They were taken to Marine Hospital.

The fever spread to the Army troops stationed in Key West. An epidemic began. Three hundred thirty one cases. Seventy one died.

The fever spread to the locals. The number who contracted the disease  unknown.

Today, one of significance. My 100th day in self-quarantine.

Wow!

How has it been?

Not bad at all. The 100 days has swiftly gone by. I do not feel I have been inside that long. I had 2-3 days out of the 100 where I thought I was getting a bit goofy. Passed, however.

I have learned to cook a bit. My food is delivered. Needed something more than ham sandwiches. I have reached the point where I can cook some fish dishes. Two filet mignons a week. Must be careful. Overcook and the rare flavor is gone.

I do a little ironing. Not much. Where am I going?

My time has been spent primarily researching and writing. The blog takes a minimum of 5 hours a day. My tuesday talk show several hours during the week and then 5 more tuesday afternoon.

I have worked on 2 books. Never will finish them.

Read several books. Used the internet for tons of additional reading.

All kept me busy day and night. Worked for me only because I enjoyed what I was doing.

I need to talk to people. Compulsive. Thank God for the internet. I have made several new internet friends. I Skype or Facebook message with them.

You are already aware of Cathy. Cathy from Seattle. Cathy who in the 1980’s lived 3 years in Key West.

We have cocktails once a week on Skpe. Labeled Cocktails at 7. Chat about 2 hours. She imbibes. I only occasionally. Try to limit myself to Diet Pepsis.

How long more will I remain self-quarantined? For a while yet I suspect.

Key West did good coronvirus wise till recently. The numbers are creeping up, however. In 2 or 3 weeks, we are going to have some significant numbers. Key West reopened too early and tourists from the mainland began coming down. Partying without benefit of masks and social distancing.

Enjoy your day!

Blacks speak for blacks. Militia people for militia people. Police for the police.

Who speaks for the rest of society? The majority and primarily white.

Congress, I assume. Useless, however.

So there we are. Our country slowly being taken over. The race to second class citizenship for most whites accelerating.

Seattle an example.

A several block neighborhood taken over by what initially were protesters. Mostly black. Many Black Lives Matter people.

Now a black conclave.

The police precinct in black hands. Plantings of fruits, vegetables and flowers. Police absent. Plans being made how to change/reconstruct the area. Now known as CHOP.

Andy Ngo is a journalist. He visited CHOP by day and night. He reported them to be as different as Jekyll and Hyde. Peaceful by day. However, the “mobsters” come out in the evening.

Ngo observed in the night time a black man with a bull horn announce he needed 100 persons for a task. There was an auto body shop several blocks down. Its white owner not cooperating. Whatever that means.

The 100 marched to the body shop. Carrying handguns, rifles, batons, and knives. Their intent to burn the body shop down.

The owner anticipated something would happen. A few friends with him.

They captured one of the arsonists.

The owner called the police. Nineteen times. The police never came.

There are photos this morning on the internet. Photos of concrete barriers put up by the city/police to keep the transgressors inside the area they were dominating.

The concrete barriers of no assistance to business owners and residents inside CHOP.

The area has been described as a “cop free zone.” No one to help the business owners and residents. They describe themselves as “sitting ducks all day.” Abandoned by their city and the police.

I wrote yesterday that blacks believe they have won. Situations like CHOP can give them the feeling. All over the country there exists this feeling of victory. Statues and monuments coming down or vandalized. Even those of persons who were anti-slave.

Some major corporations are scumming. HBO’s initial stance that it would not rerun Gone With The Wind.

Another  Quaker Oats who announced that Aunt Jemima was being rebranded. Aunt Jemima a popular syrup and pancake mix. It has been around for 130 years.

Quaker Oats is rebranding because Aunt Jemima is “based on a racial stereotype.” The logo’s inspiration inspired by the minstrel song “Old Aunt Jemima.”

A stampede is moving across the country. Growing by day. Leaving behind trampled members of the majority.

Trump was mocked yesterday big time on the media. Came out looking like a fool. Portions of John Bolton’s book appeared in the New York Times. “The Room Where It Happened.”

I can’t wait to get my hands on a copy.

Enjoy your day!

Boogaloo Bois an odd name. The name may be silly, their actions are not. A group to be feared.

The group has been quietly making the news the past few weeks. Silently. A little bit of news here and there.

My May 30, 2020 blog is titled It Can Only Get Worse. In it, I described what could be found re Boogaloo Bois. My intent was to introduce the group to my readers.

I wrote as follows.

“An online militia movement has grown. Unquestionably gearing up for the heated summer ahead.”

“There is a far right militia group out there whose identity has only recently come to attention. Boogaloo Bois. Worked in the shadows before. Now, in the light. Very anti-police. Thought to be instrumental in last night’s riots.”

“Boogaloo Bois hopes are for an armed confrontation with law enforcement. A confrontation that will build momentum. The organization’s goal a new civil war in the U.S.”

“Pay attention to Boogaloo Bois. Do not let the name fool you. They are intelligent and committed. Also capable of raising large funds of money. In the past year, allegedly $50 million.”

Their uniform not the usual military garb. Instead, Hawaiian sport shirts.

I write today about them again.

Yesterday, two members of the group were arrested and charged in the drive-in killing of a federal court house guard in Oakland, California during a night of nearby protests against police brutality.

An interesting development re Boogaloo Bois must not be missed. I fear not enough people may be aware of the organization.

The blacks want statues, monuments, and names of military bases of those who supported the Confederate cause or slavery to come down. Boogaloo Bois supports the black position.

Another group has been added to those to be torn down. Union heroes and other American luminaries previously respected. People however who may have supported slavery even in the smallest way.

Sounds strange. For real, however. The blacks have expanded those they seek to demean. Again, leading anti-slavery figures. These blacks, and it appears to include most, make no distinction between Confederate and Union, abolitionist and pro-slavery, 15th century figures and 20th.

Their target not the Confederacy. It is the United States.

Why has this happened?

The various black groups believe based on the protests re George Floyd world wide that they are winning the battle. Most believe they have already won. They want their proper place in society. A place where they sit in control of government and business. It is their time!

These black groups believe all of American history is racial and genocidal. Ergo, all symbols of American history must come down. A new history in its place. A black history.

They seek to cleanse their consciences of ever having lived in such an evil and irredeemably racist country in the first place.

Black Lives Matter an integral part of the group.

Examples of non-Confederate statues, etc. that have been taken down or vandalized include Matthias Baldwin. His statue in Philadelphia. He was an early abolitionist.

Civil War Union heroes include Admiral David Farragut and General George Thomas.

In Philadelphia stands the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in the American Revolution. Vandalized with “Committed Genocide” written in large letters across it.

The Shaw Memorial commemorates the all Black Battalion that fought for abolition. It has been vandalized.

A peaceful protest was taking place Sunday in Whittier, California. The statue of John Greenlief was vandalized. Greenlief was a prominent Quaker abolitionist. Considered the most prominent literary voice leading the fight to end slavery. A fight that took place decades before the Civil War.

BLM was sprayed on his statue.

The worst of the worse thus far is Thomas Jefferson. The third President of the United States, the primary author of the Declaration of Independence, and one of our Founding Fathers.

A school in Portland, Oregon is named after Thomas Jefferson. In front of the school a statue of Thomas Jefferson seated in a fashion similar to the Lincoln Memorial.

Two ropes were thrown around Jefferson’s neck by a young black woman and the statue torn down. Then a black man came forward with an ax. He took the ax to Jefferson’s body several times.

Monday night two statues of Juan de Onate were taken down in two different cities. De Onate a name little known in the east. However, well known in New Mexico.

He was a Spanish conquistador. A despotic one. Consider by some to have been a demon.

Long has a simmering tension existed between Native Americans and Hispanics over Spain’s conquest of New Mexico.

The statues were located in Santa Fe and Albuquerque.

The protests were moving calmly along. One group was reciting the Hail Mary. Four shots were fired. One of those hit a person praying.

The police retaliated with tear gas, flash items and several non-lethal projectiles.

An example of a today group trying to right a racial injustice that occurred several hundred years ago.

One of the groups involved was multi-racial. They wanted the statues removed. The other group were right wing militants. Armed and white. They wanted the statues to remain.

For whatever reason, female protesters in the multi-racial group were violently shoved to the ground.

I wrote this blog to portray a new evil spreading throughout the U.S. Bad feelings may have always existed. Definitely among blacks.

From black rights to get rid of Confederate statues, etc. to get rid of all statues, etc. that in any fashion, even indirectly, had a slavery connection.

In less than a month, this change in vision by the protesters has even moved to small communities and relatively unknown historical figures such as de Onate.

Positions are turning into an all or nothing situation. The blacks want it all. Will not happen. Less to them not enough. Where will it all end?

Intimately part of this charade are the police. Many did wrong. Some believe all must pay for the sins of a few. Yet the police are fearful of functioning these days. Understandably.

Whites are in jeopardy. With no one protecting the rights of one side, the turmoil can go on forever.

Enjoy your day!

A change of pace blog today. A break from Trump, coronavirus, police killings, etc.

The Hurricane of 10/11/1909.

Described as Key West’s first hurricane of intensity.

Several weeks ago, I wrote about the Hurricane of 10/9/1840. The first recorded hurricane ever. A big one. Much damage. However, nowhere near the intensity and damage of the 1909 one.

Reported hurricanes go back as far as 1493. Note reported as opposed to recorded. Based on old wives tales and Indian recollections.

These memory stories passed down through the ages told the story of religion protecting Key West and the Keys. Everyone prayed. To an Indian or Christian God.

From 1493 forward, no hurricane of any consequence hit Key West till the one of 10/9/1840. For some reason no storm got beyond Cuba or Puerto Rico. The 2 islands served as a protective buffer. The 2 islands and prayers.

Then the hurricanes began hitting the Keys. Nothing types leading upon to the one of 1840.  Then more hurricanes over a period of 100 years leading up to the intense one 10/11/1909.

Halley’s Comet played into the 1909 hurricane as it had the 1840 one. In both years, the Comet passed over and Key Westers believed the Comet had something to do with the intensity of the storms.

Although the 1909 hurricane hit on 10/11, one must go back 3 days in describing it.

For several days, the weather had been threatening. Nothing unusual, however. It was not until the night of 10/10 that the barometer fell indicating the proximity of a hurricane.

The people never secured or took any precautionary measures because the signs of the oncoming storm became apparent late in the evening. People had already gone to bed. They had no warning as they fell asleep. Boats were left lying at their usual moorings, not secured for a hurricane.

The storm hit hurricane proportion at 9 the morning of 10/11. Winds were steady at 75 mph. Gusts exceeded 100 mph.

Unprecedented rain. In a 5 hour period, 8 1/2 inches.

Fortunately, only 2 lives were lost.

Damage was major. Most buildings down, vessels here, there and everywhere except where they should have been, the few buildings left standing were roof free.

The damage of a 100 mph hurricane in 1909 did as much damage then as a Category 5 would do today. A difference about 50 mph between the 2. The reason why the damage was comparable to today’s Category 5 is that there were no building codes and structures built consistent with code requirements.

Thus was the Hurricane of 10/11/1909.

Tonight my blog talk radio show. Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou.

Guaranteed, I will not be talking about hurricanes. Too much other material re Trump, coronavirus and the police. Guaranteed to be an exciting show.

Join me at 9 for a fast moving hard hitting half hour. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou.

Enjoy your day!

I feel defeated at the moment. I was finishing the blog when I lost it.

God is punishing me for something.

I am going to run through it again. However, in short form. I lack the energy to do the whole thing with bells and all again.

I believe the tide is turning. Blacks are on the verge of taking our government over. In ten to twenty years definitely.

Do not expect them to be nice about it. They have waited too long and taken too much abuse not to become white in attitude.

Three recent events support my position.

Thomas Jefferson School in Portland, Oregon. Statue of Thomas Jefferson in front. Demonstrators threw 2 ropes around Jefferson’s head and pulled the statue down. Then a man walked up with an ax and went to work on the statue with seven well placed blows.

Reason for abusing Jefferson’s memory: He was a slave owner.

Calls for a line from Julius Caesar…..The good is oft interred with their bones.

Gone With The Wind. One of the finest films of all time.

HBO Max had it scheduled to be shown as part of its new series. Announced several days ago it was being withdrawn because it seemed to favor the South and its thinking ante-bellum.

Two days later, HBO announced a change of mind. The movie would be shown. However, there would be an introduction explaining the evils of the South before the film was shown.

You can sense black influence in the matter.

The protesters who took over the 4-6 block  Seattle area are beginning to have problems. Actually, disagreements. Learning it is difficult to govern.

Blacks disagreeing with blacks. What to do with the police precinct, what to do with developing certain areas, etc.

Reminds me of Lawrence of Arabia. Lawrence and the various Arab tribes had taken over the city by the sea. Victory was theirs.

The scene where many tribal leaders were seated around a huge table. They could not agree on anything as to who was to govern what. Who the water works, who the electricity, etc.

The Arabs went home. As for the victory, it benefited only the English.

Trump went to West Point to speak at graduation ceremonies over the weekend. He presented indications of physical problems on 2 occasions.

He went to drink water from a glass. The glass in his left hand. Could not get the glass to his mouth. Had to use his right hand to lift his left hand so the glass would reach his lips.

The other a problem walking down a ramp or steps. No railing. He wobbled. Swayed. Appeared he might fall.

I am an expert on stairs and falling. Donald has a problem.

Why do the police continue to be mean? So irresponsible?

Seattle recently. A family consisting of 3 generations knelt in prayer at the protest. One a 7 year old boy.

The group was dong nothing but praying. The police came through. One sprayed mace directly on the face of the 7 year old boy. Besides scarring the hell out of him, left him with one burned cheek.

Other police nearby and saw the incident. Did nothing. A medical group on the corner and saw what had occurred.. Did nothing.

A woman nearby videoed the whole thing. It went viral. She was arrested and left in jail for 2 days before being released. The police did not tell her why she was jailed. She assumes it was because the video had gone viral.

Spoke with Donna again last night. She and Terri were out.

Their first haunt sundays is 801 at 5. A comical drag show. Been run for years. A charity money maker.

Donna said 801 adhered to the rules. Distancing when at the bar. Mask when not drinking. Bartenders all wearing masks. Customers locals.

The ladies then walked down Duval again. A big crowd outside Irish Kevin’s. All young. To Donna, all appeared to be tourists. No masks, hugging and kissing, no distancing.

Pythons back in the news.

Since the 1990’s, Florida did not pay attention to the growing python population. Now it is agreed there are in excess of one million. Impossible to eradicate. The State hopes to control.

There are pythons hunters. Men who do this for a living. The State pays for python bodies returned to them.

One of the python hunters caught a big one over the weekend. Not easy, he said.

The python was 17 feet long, weighed 130-150 pounds.

The hunter even got bit. He describes the fight as “furious.”

Florida has been derelict also with iguanas. Failed to do anything about them. They have grown in size and numbers.

Florida wants them gone. The State has advised that there are too many. The State hopes it can control their growth. Impossible to eradicate.

Enjoy your day!

Police protests have been growing over the years. Commensurate with an increase in police power. Such must stop and be corrected for the good of those suffering suppression.

Two more black deaths of concern in the past 24 hours. The nation is out of control. Beginning with the police.

A black man shot in a Wendy’s parking lot in Atlanta. I viewed the shooting on the internet. The scene one of police out of control in the manner they handled a simple situation.

The other in California. A black man was found hanging from a tree dead. Police claim a suicide. The matter is under investigation, including an autopsy.

One need go no further than the second paragraph of the Declaration of Independence to understand there is no difference between black and white when it comes to the law.

The second paragraph.

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that ALL MEN ARE CREATED EQUAL, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable Rights, that among these are LIFE, LIBERTY AND THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS. — That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the CONSENT OF THE GOVERNED. — That WHENEVER ANY FORM OF GOVERNMENT BECOMES DESTRUCTIVE OF THESE ENDS, it is the RIGHT OF THE PEOPLE TO ALTER OR ABOLISH IT, AND TO INSTITUTE NEW GOVERNMENT, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, AS TO THEM SHALL SEEM MOST LIKELY TO EFFECT THEIR SAFETY AND HAPPINESS.” (emphasis added)

I have 2 major concerns.

The first is a government cannot operate without some sort of police power. “Defund” actually means “reorganize.” It should if it does not.

Society requires some sort of policing.  Whether you  like to believe it or not, people are not all the same. There are bad people out there. Some intrinsically evil.

My other concern involves property rights. Yes, there is such a thing as property rights. A person buys a piece of real estate, he owns it. His money paid for it, performed improvements, etc.

In comes a group of protesters. Most black. As in Seattle. They have taken over a 4 or 6 block area, including a police precinct.

I saw a black man at the protest site on TV yesterday explaining what they had p planned for that area (pointing) and then another. Not his to do with. He had not paid for the properties nor earned them.

Property owners have rights also. Not as valuable as human life. However to be considered.

If the police/black problem is not resolved, eventually you will have the blacks and property owners at each others’ throats.

I wrote yesterday re the removal of Confederate statues, changing names of military bases, etc. The point I sought to make was one cannot be selective in so doing. Do them all or none at all.

The question then becomes what is “all.”

Take Arlington Cemetery for example.

In 1900, Congress approved the burial of Confederate veterans in Arlington Cemetery. They numbered 482.

Arlington is divided into sections. The Confederate soldiers lie in section 16. Section 16 is not far from the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

There is the Confederate Memorial authorized in 1906. Unveiled by President Wilson in 1914. Intentionally unveiled on the 196th anniversary of the birth of Jefferson Davis.

Since erected, most President send a wreath to be placed at the Memorial on Memorial Day.

There is a Tomb of the Civil War Unknowns in section 26. Dedicated in 1866. The remains of war dead arising from the fields of Bull Run and the Route to the Rappahanak River.

Two thousand one hundred eleven dead from the battles buried in Arlington. Some Union, some Confederate. Scattered remains across the battlefield within a 25 mike radius of Washington. The result of  mass carnage. Remains could not be identified.

All buried together. One grave/vault for all.

The history of the land known as Arlington interesting. Reveals connections with both sides of the Civil War.

George Washington’s step grandson was George Washington Parke Custis. His grandmother was Martha Washington.

Custis inherited what he named the Arlington Estate in 1802. From whom, I could not determine. George Washington himself? I do not know. All I could discover was he inherited the property.

Custis wanted the property to be a living memorial to the former President.

So far, everyone concerned with the Arlington property on the side of the angels.

Custis had a daughter Mary. She married Robert E. Lee in 1831. The same Robert E. Lee who led Confederate forces in the Civil War.

When Custis died, he left the estate to his daughter Mary for the duration of her life, and upon her death, to her eldest son.

Robert E. Lee never owned the property himself, though he was executor of his father in law’s will.

The Lees abandoned the property at the start of the Civil War. Union soldiers were coming. The Union seized the property on May 25, 1861. The land had value from a military perspective. It was located on high ground and was perfect for defense purposes in protecting Washington.

The taking by the Union had nothing to do with punishing the Lees. It was taken strictly for its strategic value.

The first Civil War Union dead was buried May 13, 1864. There were 2 national cemeteries at the time. Both overloaded with bodies due to the War. Arlington not a national cemetery yet. Nevertheless, the 2 national cemeteries closed to any further burials the day the first Union soldier was buried at Arlington.

Arlington became a national cemetery June 15, 1864.

Arlington was segregated. As all national cemeteries were at the time. Arlington remained segregated till 1948 when President Truman desegregated it.

White soldiers buried in section 13. African Americans and freed people in section 27. Today there are 3,800 freed African Americans buried in section 27.

Arlington is huge. It has expanded several times. Today 400,000 veterans and eligible dependents are buried in Arlington.

The Lee home long gone, of course.

A law was passed soon after the War began. Property on Union soil could be sold for back taxes. One condition. The owner had to pay the taxes in person.

Mary, wife of General Lee, had failed to pay the taxes. All of $92.07. She claimed illness the day she was to appear to pay the taxes. She sent her cousin Philip Fendall in her place. The authorities refused to accept payment from Fendall as the law required the person who defaulted to appear in person.

The Union purchased the property.

Custis sued. After many years, the case was settled with the Government paying something like $3 million.

Now for the question. Should all the Confederate monuments be removed and as well as all the Confederate graves?

Many, if not all, will say no way. I say why not. What is good for one, is good for all. Otherwise leave everything alone. Do nothing.

The situation not as simple as it initially appears. I may be wrong. The question a tough one.

I apologize for not writing about Key West as frequently as I did. This is day 95 of my self-quarantine. If I do not go out, I do not know what is going on. When I am back in circulation news of Key West will be more prevalent.

Enjoy your Sunday!

Tearing down Confederate statues, renaming military bases, etc. first met me with mixed emotions. My initial thought was all are a part of U.S. history. History that should be acknowledged and remembered.

The more thought I gave to the issue, the more I leaned towards tearing them down, etc.

A primary motivation was Hitler. No matter what he did, he was a part of Germany’s history. No German today would even think about the association. Hitler was a bad guy!

So too were the Confederate officials, etc.

Another item that swung my thinking was the “Cornerstone Speech.”

The Confederate Vice-President was Alexander Stephens. He was addressing a crowd in Savannah, Georgia. He stated in his speech: “Our new government’s foundations are laid, its cornerstone rests, upon the great truth that the negro is not equal to the white man.”

Everything comes down, everything renamed, etc, or nothing at all. What’s good for the goose is good for the gander thing.

Which brings me to Key West’s own Stephen R. Mallory (1812-1873).

Mallory was the Democratic Senator representing Florida in the U.S. Senate from 1850 to the beginning of the Civil War. He followed Florida out of the Union when the Confederate States of America was formed.

Mallory was made Secretary of the Navy under Confederate President Jefferson Davis. He resigned near the War’s end.

Mallory was caught by Union forces and imprisoned. After one year, he was pardoned by President Andrew Johnson.

Mallory returned to Key West.

Mallory Square is named after him. His bust and a tribute can be found in the Memorial Sculpture Garden at the Square.

Under present thinking, Mallory Square should be renamed. Mallory’s bust and tribute removed from the Memorial Sculpture Garden.

Key West should be consistent with what is happening through out America.

I have a feeling many will say it should not be done…..Mallory Square is famous world wide, part and parcel of Key West.

We cannot have it both ways. Everything goes, everything gets renamed.

Life has taught me a bigot generally does not know he is a bigot. He believes he is the fountain of goodness. Not aware his every action destroys another.

Yes, a bigot is not aware.

I am suggesting Trump does not know he is a bigot. He sincerely believes what he says. Especially when he tells the American people  he has done more for the blacks than any previous President.

A few days ago, Trump was in Dallas for a Justice Round Table.

The discussion was part of a Dallas County program. Dallas County is the second most populous County in Texas. The eighth most populous in the U.S.

Dallas County’s three top police officials are black. They were not invited to the meeting.

A Rodney Dangerfield quote comes into play here: “I remember the time I was kidnapped and they sent a piece of my finger to my father. He said he wanted more proof.”

Remember when Obama was running for President the first time. Whether he was born in the United States became an issue. Trump not even a candidate at the time.

Trump pushed the issue. When the State of Hawaii sent a photocopy of Obama’s birth certificate, Trump was not satisfied. He said, “It isn’t the original.” He kept the fire going.

At the time, I thought Trump was an ass. I was wrong. He was a bigot.

Appears Sears may be leaving Key West. No official announcement as yet. It is expected this weekend.

Key West is one of the locations that will close. Sears similarly closed a large number several years ago. Key West escaped the ax then. Looks like it will not this time.

I’ve been on the phone this morning with friends who are out and about. Some had coronavirus and survived. Believe they are immune. Others sick of being in said screw it, enough is enough, and are going out.

All carefully, however.

All walked Duval last night. All said the bars were where the problems existed. Mostly young people. Inside and out. No masks, no social distancing. Hugging and kissing.

Two interesting coronavirus updates.

The first involves semen. A fluid. China has concluded a small study.

“Small particles” were found in the semen studied. Study not sufficient to say unequivocally the virus can or cannot be transferred via sex. Further study required.

WHO issued a report re a mother’s breast milk. The study was sufficient for WHO to advise it was safe to feed a baby the mother’s breast milk.

Only “fragments” were found in some cases. However none were “live viruses.”

WHO further added that any danger to the infant was far outweighed by the benefit a baby receives from a mother’s breast milk.

Enjoy your day!

He who seeks respect must show respect.

So I have always believed.

Recent days have evidenced multiple occasions where Trump has received “no respect.” Washington State an example.

Protesters remain alive and well in Washington. In fact, they have taken over an area of Seattle. Provided Law and Order Donald to exhibit his bravado once again. Trump tweeted this is not a game, threatened to “take back” Seattle as protesters set up an autonomous zone.

First friendly confrontation between protesters and police. Then the police withdrew. First however boarding the Police Department’s East Precinct. Protesters renamed the area Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone. Short CHAZ.

Trump tweeted: “Domestic terrorists taken over Seattle, run by Radical Left Democrats.”

Trump further tweeted: “Take back your city NOW. If you don’t do it, I will. This is not a game. These ugly anarchists must be stopped IMMEDIATELY. MOVE FAST!”

Washington governmental leaders are not quivering in fear.

Governor Inslee responded: “A man who is totally incapable of governing should stay out of Washington’s business.”

Mayor Durkan: “Make us all safe. Go back to your bunker.”

When is the last time a Governor and Mayor spoke so disparagingly in responding to a President’s comments?

Donald, it is the way of the world. You get what you give.

Which brings me to Rodney Dangerfield. A well received comedian who saw his best days professionally in the 1970s and 1980s.

Dangerfield’s famous line was “I don’t get no respect.” Followed sometimes by “It’s not easy being me.”

A bit of resemblance exists between Dangerfield and Trump. Dangerfield would have had to do 2 things to look like Trump.

Close his eyes a bit. He walked around with them intentionally opened wide.

The other is hair. Dangerfield had receding temples.  He would first have had to color his hair yellow, blow dry after washing, then comb it as Donald does, and then spray the hell out of it.

They could have been brothers.

Trump says he never drank nor did drugs. I believe him. He did have sex however. Common knowledge.

Dangerfield wrote his autobiography in 2004″ It’s Not Easy Bein’ Me: A Lifetime of No Respect But Plenty of Sex And Drugs.” Delete the last 2 words of the title so it reads: “It’s Not Easy Bein’ Me: A Lifetime of No Respect But Plenty of Sex.”

I knew Dangerfield briefly.

Back in the ’70s and ’80s I used to go to La Costa to lose weight. A “fat farm” outside San Diego. That is where I became friendly with William Holden.

Dangerfield spent a week while Holden and I were there. The three of us bonded. We spent our evenings sitting in La Costa’s dim and empty bar smoking cigars and drinking Perrier.

Both men gentlemen. Respectful. Persons of character.

Another person who gives as good as she gets, if not better, is Washington D.C.’s Mayor Bowser.

Her having 2 blocks in front of the White House painted in 50 foot yellow letters BLACK LIVES MATTER was an up yours move. Disrespect at its zenith.

What you give is what you get!

Enjoy your day!