The Key West Airport has moved ahead of many U.S. airports for the moment. It has a robot which cleans the entire airport. It is an ultra-violet emitting robot.

It is already in use.

The robot is programmed to kill 99.9 percent of pathogens, including coronavirus.

The robot can only be used during the night when humans are not about. The killing rays it emits are so intense to be dangerous to humans.

The entire airport can be cleaned by the one robot in less than 3 hours.

The robot stands just under 6 feet tall and weighs 300 pounds.

It might be a good idea to  have local students engage in a naming contest for the robot.

Major area food pantrys and non-profit groups will run out of food  this month. The government has failed to renew any food shortage funding programs. Does not make sense. At a time when the demand is greatest.

The U.S. State Department of Agriculture’s Farmers to Families ends this week or next. CARES Act Funding has run out and not been renewed by McConnell and his henchmen. The program ends 12/31.

I would like the Washington people to sit down with those who are without this Christmas. Let them experience what people are suffering.

Everyone must sit at the table. Rich and poor alike. Each must partake of God’s goodness. If the rich fail to make a place for the poor, the poor will have no alternative but to revolt. It invites rebellion. So it has been throughout history.

Visited one of my doctors yesterday. Then drove down Duval to see how things were.

Few people and no mask wearing. I have hard feelings re the mask issue.

Many visitors bring the coronavirus bug with them. Mask wearing they think is a joke.

Forget citing them. Throw the bums out!

Key West’s numbers keep rising dramatically. More than half the cases in Monroe County have been in Key West.

The time between Thanksgiving and Christmas generally a slow time. Few people therefore not a problem. Christmas Day things pick up dramatically. The town fills up and remains so till New Year’s Day.

Will it be that way this year? Additional restrictions have been adopted. Who knows. If it is not as good because of the virus restrictions, so be it. We have to protect ourselves and our own.

Governor DeSantis is a horse’s ass. Inept and incompetent. He follows Trump’s lead to the letter.

DeSantis had a back yard party saturday. Guests were 50 GOP grassroot organizers. Pictures of the event show no mask wearing and no social distancing.

A side issue re the party. One of the guests said, “It’s gonna be fun working for him and crushing the Socialists in Florida.”

What Socialists?

There appears a move underway in Tallahassee to require bars and restaurants to only do business outside. Rumor in Key West has it the 5 largest Key West hotels will only have outdoor dining beginning in February.

We live in a changing world. Coronavirus has made us a part of history.

The Key West Cemetery is unique. Especially the stones. One is engraved: “I Told You I Was Sick.”

On this day in 1898, the Battleship Maine plot in the Key West Cemetery was dedicated. Buried are some of those killed when the Maine was sunk in Havana Harbor.

The procession and dedication was viewed by 10,000 people. Impressive. The population of Key West at the time was similar to today’s or 10,000 less.

I find the 10,000 viewers interesting. I question whether there would be 10,000 today for a similar event. Not because there would be less respect. People are just different today.

I have attended several dedications at Bayview Park. Veteran and war events. Each time I was disappointed by the turnout.

Especially the Vietnam Memorial dedication. Standing proudly were what I assume Vietnam veterans living in Key West. The crowd including the veterans was 200-300. No where near 10,000.

Trump is doing well. So far 55  lawsuits. His side won 1. A minor one.

The only lawsuit left standing is the Texas one. That will be lost, also.

What will follow the Texas decision? Violence? Someone being killed?

A recent editorial in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch shared the paper’s concern: Someone Is Going To Get Killed If Republicans Don’t Tone Down Their Incitement.

I remember vividly Kent State during the Vietnam protests. Described in the history books as the Kent State massacre. The students running down a slight hill trying to avoid shooting national guardsmen. Four students were killed and nine injured.

No one knows what precipitated the shooting. It was a Peace Rally. Some 300 students and 28 guardsmen. A distance between students and guardsmen. All of a sudden, the guardsmen knelt and began shooting. The closest student wounded was 71 feet away. The closest student killed 265 feet away.

An example of accidents happening. The problem is such accidents fuel additional and more violent confrontations.

Coronavirus numbers continue going up and up. Medical experts tells us the next 60-90 days will be worse. The vaccine does not help till all are immunized. Something it will take several months to accomplish.

An interesting comparison. World War II. American deaths totaled 291,557. American coronavirus deaths as of 2 days ago, 290,000.

Yesterday I mentioned Ivanka and Jared purchased a lot on Miami’s Billionaire Bunker for $31 million. House still to be built.

This morning I read Tom Brady and wife purchased a home on Billionaire’s Bunker for $17 million. They intend to tear the house down and build a new one.

To some, money is cheap.

Enjoy your day!

Trump continues exhibiting the propensity to surround himself with persons having questionable backgrounds. This time a Texas lawman under indictment for securities fraud, accused of bribery, and abuse of office.

The star this time Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. The Lone Ranger he is not.

Paxton 72 hours ago brought a lawsuit against the four battleground states (Michigan, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Georgia) to have the election results in those states thrown out. The claim is that the pandemic caused the legislatures of those four states to make last minute changes that ignored federal electoral regulations. If Texas wins and the results of the four states are not valid, then the state  legislatures would decide who the electoral college voters should support.

The result would be Trump as the legislatures of the four states are Republican controlled.

The suit brings the theme of Star Trek to mind: Going where no federal court has gone before.

A wild lawsuit. Don’t think it is going anywhere. However, you never know.

Since the suit is one state against others, it goes directly to the Supreme Court for decision.

Eighteen states have asked permission to join in or filed amicus curiae briefs.

Now to Paxton’s background.

He was indicted 5 years ago for securities fraud and accused by aides of attempted bribery. The indictment is still pending. There have been multiple appeals and astute legal maneuvering to keep the case from reaching the trial stage.

Several former state employees filed a whistle blower lawsuit against Paxton They accused him of intervening in legal matters to help a friend. The friend a real estate investor who also made a $25,000 donation to Paxton’s 2018 campaign.

Early in the 2020 Presidential race, Paxton played a key role in Trump’s fight against expanding the use of mail in ballots.

Some believe this lawsuit is to place Paxton in a favorable position for pardon consideration.

Still with the Rebekah Jones home police invasion, a former Florida state employee has spoken out. He is Ron Flipkowski. He has resigned his position as counsel to the Sarasota County Republican Party. He is a Marine veteran, as well as a former state and federal prosecutor.

Flipkowski said the only justification for what occurred at the Jones home that he can conjure for the raid is to silence “people who are trying to tell the truth.”

In a writing, he wrote, “Even if facts alleged are true, I would still call her (Jones) a hero…..I also find Mr. Piccolo’s statement that the Governor was unaware not credible.”

The photo of the police in her home was tweeted by Jones and  already has had in excess of 300,00 viewers.

Rebekah is a woman who was stomped upon. She obviously is not taking what has happened to sitting down. She is not a DeSantis fan: “He sent the gestapo.”

Remember the Payroll Protection Program (PPP) in the first stimulus package. It has been reported that $4.3 million went to what are considered “hate groups.”

Examples include The New Century Foundation. The organization formerly ran a white supremacist website. The group for decades has maintained a position that U.S. immigration policy should be to keep America white.

The group received $51,600.

Another is the American Family Association. It opposes “homosexual agendas.” Received $1,399,000.

Trump’s constant attacks on the election, both before and after, has created/exposed a part of the Republican Party that advocates the bloody overthrow of the Biden election.

Facebook has serious problems. The U.S. government and State of New York want the company broken up claiming it violates the anti-rust law and constitutes an illegal monopoly.

Key West’s New Year’s Eve will not have the Drag Queen, Conch Shell and Pirate coming down at midnight nor any other time that evening. All part of the program to cut away at the 50,000 tourists that would normally attend.

An exciting day ahead. A doctor visit.

Enjoy your day!

The day has arrived. It was inevitable. Whites now on the road to being treated as blacks have been for years. Blacks shot by police at routine traffic stops, police exercising over zealousness when entering the home where blacks reside, etc.

Recall last May and Rebekah Jones. She was employed by the State of Florida as a data scientist. Her responsibility was accumulating coronavirus data.

Governor DeSantis did not like her reports. They showed an increase in coronavirus cases. In effect, made the Governor look bad. He wanted her to fudge the numbers. He needed “better numbers.” Lower ones.

Rebekah refused. She stood her ground. In so doing, she spoke truth to power.

Rebekah was fired. She went public. A whistle blower in effect.

Since that time, she has started her own business keeping track of coronavirus cases. She works from her home.

Recently, the Florida State Police raided her home, drew their guns, and seized her computer.

Someone had been hacking the Florida Department of Health’s emergency alert system. The police were seeking evidence Rebekah was the culprit.

After coming through the front door, they asked if anyone else was in the home. She told them her husband and two children upstairs. One of the police officers drew his gun, went to the foot of the stairs and asked if anyone was on the second floor. Rebekah’s husband answered he and the children. They were told to come down which they immediately did.

By this time, the guns of all police officers were drawn. Pointing at the family, including the children.

The police took Rebekah’s computer. She claims she does all her communicating over the phone. They did not take her cell phone and router. Nor the computers of her husband and children.

The confrontation was a tense one. Ominous. Frightening. Not a family event.

The home had an ongoing video system inside. All that transpired is on film.

The similarity to black treatment over the years clear. A family in their home. Police with an order to get some computer equipment. The manner by which the police conducted themselves could have resulted in someone being shot. Perhaps killed.

Suppose one of the children coming down the stairs got frightened and tripped, or merely tripped, and fell into the father The officer near the steps with gun drawn might have thought the father had a gun or was a danger to the officer. The officer shot. Killing or maiming the father and children.

All over a home computer.

Police have been doing this for years and getting away with it where blacks are concerned. Most state laws are clear that if the officer believes he is in danger, he can shot without consequence.

Sort of a what is good for the goose is good for the gander situation has developed. If it can be done to blacks, why not whites also. Rebekah’s story could be the beginning of many similar ones.

Now for the best part. All this is on video. Rebekah’s home was wired.

Rebekah is concerned she may be arrested. Her attorney tells her the charges that could be levied carry 5 years in jail.

Rebekah does not have the kind of money required to  defend herself. She went to Go Daddy. Within 24 hours, she had raised in excess of $100,000.

Ivanka and Jared. One of America’s best known couples. They recently purchased property in Florida. It appears they will be living there.

The property is on what is known as Billionaire’s Bunker on Miami Island. The island sits on Indian Creek between Miami and Miami Beach.

They purchased only the lot. Cost, $31 million. And no house!

Shark fishing was a major Keys industry in 1930. Centered around the Big Pine area. The Hydenold Products Co. had a plant on Big Pine. On December 8, 1930 for example their 11 boats brought in 111 sharks averaging 300 pounds each. Big business.

Sharks had value. The skin was used for leather, the liver oil, and the fins soup. The Big Pine Key company mentioned did the processing. The sharks were skinned. The hides salted and sent north to the company’s home factory in New Jersey. There the skins were made into a tough leather called shagreen.

The shark industry no longer exists in the Keys. The value of Keys sharks today is in sports fishing.

Covid-19 is rampant nationally. The Keys are getting their share.

As of last friday, Monroe County has has had 3,604 new cases. Two thousand twenty were in Key West. More than half.

We have a problem. And many local businessmen don’t care. Their concern is money. Money over the health of their neighbors. The U.S. 1 blockade should be restored and all bars, restaurants and hotels closed for a certain period.

The virus must be killed! Other wise even if the vaccine is effective, the problem will remain with us.

Enjoy your day!

Your America, our America, is changing inch by inch. Several inches in a day sometime. The speed may not be as swift as coronavirus. However for a government, it is moving rapidly.

Two recent examples.

Sunday and today. A reflection of the politicization of the Supreme Court.

A lawsuit was brought to flip the Pennsylvania election results from Biden to Trump. The method simple. Petitioner’s argument involved the Constitutionality of mail in ballot voting. The State Supreme Court in effect ruled against the petitioner and in favor of Biden.

Note there were 2.6 million mail in ballots. Biden won the State by 80,000. If the mail in ballots are rejected, Trump would win the State.

Justice Alito got involved on the part of the Supreme Court. He initially gave the petitioner till December 9 to respond. September 9 is tomorrow.

Today September 8 is considered “safe harbor” day. The day a State certifies its voting results. It frees a State from further challenge.

Somebody was sitting on their ass on the petitioner’s side. No responsive papers had been filed.

Sunday Justice Alito changed the response time for petitioner to today. He amended his order re the September 9 date.

Supreme Court Justices rarely do such. They play by the rules. At least, most of the time.

If responsive papers are filed today, Biden could lose Pennsylvania. In the final analysis, it would make no difference. Biden without Pennsylvania still has enough Electoral College votes to win.

Justice Alito should have done nothing. By drawing the time back one day, he gave Trump’s people notice of the pending default. The message loud and clear. File your papers timely.

A month ago, I wrote re Justice Alito. I am not going to repeat his many negatives again. He is a far right conservative. Thinks he is more intelligent than others. Rarely votes with the liberal side of the Court.

He is in the mold of Justice Scalia. Both men great legal thinkers. Who from my perspective interpret the Constitution erroneously.

Going to be interesting to see what happens today.

The other change and without question a scary one, is what occurred at the home of Rebecca Jones.

The villain in this story is Florida Governor DeSantis.

Jones was a data scientist employed by Florida. Her responsibility was to keep track of Florida’s coronavirus cases. The numbers came up bad for Florida. DeSantis wanted them revised to reflect a lower number of cases

Jones refused and was fired for her refusal to give DeSantis “better numbers.”

Jones now runs Florida Covid Action. A dashboard for Florida Covid information.

DeSantis must have a hair up his ass. Recently, the Florida State Police conducted a raid at Jones’ home. They were there to seize all her computer equipment.

She was asked if anyone else was in the house. She said my husband and children upstairs.

The officers drew guns. In due course, the entire family was facing drawn guns.

Your America, my America. Would you believe? Both events. A reflection of the politicization of the Supreme Court and a politically motivated dope type raid on Jones’ home.

Rudy Giuliani has coronavirus. A patient at the Georgetown University Hospital. I believe in his fourth day.

No wonder he was infected. Running all over the country, neither social distancing nor wearing a mask.

He could be a “poster child” for defeating coronavirus if when he is discharged he starts wearing a mask and social distancing.

Legendary Chuck Yeager died yesterday. He was 97.

Perhaps the U.S.’s greatest pilot.

He was an Air Force test pilot.The first to break the sound barrier.  In October 1947.

Six years later, he flew at twice the speed of sound.

Yeager was disappointed he was not selected to be one of the first astronauts. Never the less, he assisted them in their training.

In World War II, he flew P-51’s. An ace, he shot down 12 German planes. He was involved in the Vietnam War. Flew 127 missions, this time as a bomber pilot.

Yeager retired from the Air Force in 1975 a Brigadier General.

The movie Sophie’s Choice opened this day 1962. A harsh movie. Heavy.

The time World War II. Sophie and her 2 children were in a railroad box car heading for a Nazi concentration camp.

When the train arrived and people were let from the box car, they first had to pass a German officer. With each person, he would point to the left or right. One way life and work as a laborer. The other death in a gas chamber.

The officer signaled both ways for Sophie’s children. One to live and one to die. He pointed specifically where each was to go.

She argued to save both. The officer finally told her it was her choice. Sophie’s choice. At that moment she had to decide which one would live and which one would die.

She made the selection.

A rotten despicable choice for any parent to be required to make.

The movie was tough to take. The book worse.

An interesting comment in this morning’s Citizens’ Voice. Read the wording closely: “I watched the City Commission discussion about how to arrange the deck chairs on the Titanic. By New Year’s all bars, restaurants and hotels will be shut. Airport closed and U.S. 1 blocked. Still will be too little, too late.”

Please watch my blog talk radio show this evening at 9. Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. I’ll be hitting them hard tonight!

Enjoy your day!

It began with the Japanese sneak attack on Pearl Harbor. December 7, 1941.

President Roosevelt appeared before a Joint Session of Congress the next day asking that a state of war be declared immediately. His opening words live forever: “December 7, 1941 a date which will live in infamy…..”

Early in 1942, Roosevelt met with his Joint Chiefs of Staff. Told them he wanted to bomb Tokyo. To a man, each said it could not be done for various technical reasons.

Roosevelt became inflamed and in a stern voice admonished them: “Don’t tell me it can’t be done.”

Roosevelt’s order reached fruition on April 18, 1942. Sixteen U.S. bombers took off from the deck of the carrier USS Hornet. Went on to bomb Tokyo.

Roosevelt was aware the raid would not do much damage. It was not intended to do so. Rather, it was a message to the “invincible” Japanese that it could be done. The Japanese people prior thereto had been told it was impossible.

It so happened that the Japanese had two events ongoing on April 18. One major and one minor.

Japan had ordered a full dress air raid drill for the same day Doolittle and his group would be bombing Tokyo. It was Japan’s first air raid drill. Why the drill is difficult to ascertain since they were “invincible” and it was impossible for them to be bombed.

The Japanese also had planes in the air practicing for an upcoming celebration on the Emperor’s birthday.

The Americans were unaware of the air raid drill and practice for the Emperor’s birthday as the Japanese were unaware of the Doolittle raid.

The practice air raid drill had been scheduled earlier in March. A three hour event which was to begin at 9:00 am.

Doolittle’s 16 planes came towards and over Tokyo from all directions. Such was not intended. It was a “bizarre” arrival.

The meanderings were caused by faulty instruments, hard weather, and human error. The meanderings however inadvertently turned into what seemed a stroke of genius.

The Japanese were confused as the American planes came over Tokyo. As a result were deceived about the source of the attack. Remember, the Japanese homeland was ‘invincible” and a “full dress” air raid drill had been ongoing.

It seems everyone thought Doolittle and his group were either Japanese planes in disguise and part of the air raid drill. Some mistaked the planes for Japanese ones.

Doolittle’s plane crossed over a Japanese cruiser that took no notice of his plane.

Doolittle reached the Japanese coast 11:55 am. Time is important from this point forward.

The Americans flew over thousands of Japanese country folk who waved them on their way.

In Tokyo, the three hour air drill was coming to an end. It was noon. The Japanese were taking down the barrage balloons. Vehicle and pedestrian traffic began to flow normally. The  Japanese people continued to gawk at the Japanese fighter plane umbrella overhead as it moved away from Tokyo.

At 12:15 pm, the first American bombs exploded on Tokyo.

No one was quite sure what was going on. The air raid drill planes had left 10-15 minutes earlier.

An ant-aircraft battery heard the bombing. They were confused. Thought it was part of the air raid drill. With uncertainty, fired one round in Doolittle’s direction. Then closed shop and left for the day fearing they might blast one of the Emperor’s warplanes out of the sky.

The few remaining Japanese fighters from the drill saw the American planes. They assumed they were part of the “realistic” air raid drill alert. They flew off to their bases without engaging.

As a side note, Doolittle’s rank and recognition are worthy of comment.

He was a Major. When assigned leadership of the Tokyo raid, he was immediately promoted to Lt. Colonel. Following the raid, he was skipped over Colonel and made a Brigadier General. At the same time, he was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor.

All this in less than six months.

Enjoy your day!

The Devil Went Down To Georgia is an indirect reference to Trump’s appearance last night in Georgia.

Actually, it is the title of a popular country/southern rock song that came out in 1979. A big hit then and popular to this day. The song written and initially performed by Charlie Daniels.

It is the story of a young man named Johnny and the Devil. A variant of the theme involving persons who make deals with the Devil.

I am dealing here with the original tune. There are several parodies on Facebook. Two of a political nature involving the Devil and Georgia. I recommend them to you.

Some portions of the original The Devil Went Down To Georgia follow. The Devil of course Trump.

“He was lookin’ for a soul to steal / He was in a bind ’cause he was way behind / And he was willin’ to make a deal / When he came across this young man / Sawin’ on a fiddle and playin’ it hot…..

I guess you didn’t know it, but I’m a fiddle player, too / And if you’ll take a dare, I’ll make a bet with you / Now you play pretty good fiddle, boy, but give the Devil his due / I’ll bet a fiddle of gold against your soul / ‘Cause I think I’m better than you…..

If you lose, the Devil gets your soul…..”

The Devil lost. As Donald will.

Trump is MIA. Missing in action. He is still President. His sole concern continues to be upsetting Biden’s election. A futile effort in a losing cause.

Trump’s responsibilities do not end till noon January 20.

Coronavirus is increasing by day. Deaths overwhelming. Unemployment rampant.

Appears of no concern to the President. Trump is chasing a political victory impossible for him to win.

The transition team is supposedly legal at this point. Trump did the necessary on November 23 by having the General Service Administration so advise.

As the process works, Biden’s team has an open door to everything.

Not working thusly as regards Defense/Pentagon matters. Biden’s people have been denied meetings with staff and access to military intelligence documents.

Biden’s team made arrangements for the meeting. The requests then put in letter form and provided appropriate Defense and Pentagon representatives.

The open door policy never got any further. Defense/Pentagon responded there would be no “engagement” until the Biden people submitted questions in advance together with a list of names of the persons to be interviewed.

Recall that about 3 weeks ago, Trump fired some high level Defense/Pentagon persons. Replaced them with political cronies who had no experience with military matters. Two such individuals were Klash Patel and Ezra Cohen-Watnick.

Obviously stonewalling. Why?

Could be a pure accident. Two persons not quite understanding the protocol involved. Only problem is the situation has not yet been resolved.

If not an accident, then I have 2 thoughts.

Defense/Pentagon’s financial records are a mess. An absolute one. Books don’t balance. For several years. Billions if not trillions involved. No record of who monies went to, no receipts for the funds, etc.

In the recent past, Ernst and Young were called in to do an audit. After a period of time, they gave up. They said records so bad they could not do the job.

I have written several times in recent years about these monies for which there are no records.

Is there a desire by some to hide where the money went? Could be. Big big dollars involved. Over payments are a form of paying off or bribing someone.

Payments possibly to contract military the U.S. hires. Or as happened in the past, over payment for a toilet seat. Years ago, Defense paid something like $50 for a simple toilet seat. How about $100 in recent times.

My other concern is Iran. Trump has been dying to attack Iran. The  idea has always appealed to him. Additionally, Israel has been pushing Trump big time to do so. Trump still has time.

Would Iran records indicate such invasion planned?

Recently, Republicans have frequently referred to certain Democrats as socialists. The term has now been extended one step too far.

Yesterday on 2 occasions on TV shows, the issue of Democrats being socialists came up and the persons speaking indicated everyone knew where these socialists were going. Communism!

Irritates the hell out of me. Definitely a step too far. Especially when half the people in the U.S. are Republicans, most of whom believe the crap they hear on certain shows..

Coronavirus actually killing the American people. In the 14 days previous to yesterday, the number of new cases was up 42 percent. Even worse, in the month of December alone in excess of 1 million new cases. Note yesterday when the information was released was only the 5th day of December.

Newsmax is a relatively new political talk show.  I decided to watch it for a couple of hours yesterday.

Its format no different than FOX or MSNBC.

Terrible! Even worse than FOX. Real bad!

Syracuse football concluded its season yesterday. Lost to #2 Notre Dame 45-21.

Syracuse only won 1 game this season. No bowl invitation expected.

Syracuse basketball did better yesterday. The team beat Ryder 87-52. A victory expected and large as anticipated. Ryder a non-entity that Syracuse plays early in the season as a warm up.

Syracuse now 3-0. Against Ryder, Syracuse’s 3 point shooting finally arrived. Syracuse made 50 percent of its 3’s. Fifteen for thirty.

Everest left. May lonely. Wrote in her diary this day 1896: “OH HOW I MISS MY BELOVED.” Capitalizations May’s.

Enjoy your Sunday!

The Key West City Commission voted  to place a curfew on the New Year’s Eve weekend. Beginning friday 12/31 through sunday 1/2. Ten pm and the evening is over. The streets will be swept of humans by police and other officials to assure there is total cooperation.

I agree with the action taken by the City Commission. Key West has been taking a beating with the pandemic.

I might add this is the first time the Commission has acted properly as far as I am concerned. Up to this time, they have danced to tunes suggested by the bar and restaurant owners.

One restaurant owner has already advised he will not obey the curfew directive.

The hotels may have a problem. Already 93 percent booked for the weekend. That translates into just under 50,000 guests. The hotels generally have a no cancellation policy for holiday weekends. Payment is made in full when the reservation is made. I would be surprised if they relented and returned booking fees to any who ask for them. It has not been hotel policy to do so in the past.

Three locations in Key West are comparable to New York City’s Times Square on New Year’s Eve. The Bourbon Street Pub, Sloppy Joe’s and Schooner Wharf. Duval, nearby intersections and parts of the waterfront packed.

Will Sushi drift down sitting in the classic shoe? The pirate wench down the ship’s mast? If so, what time? Obviously has to be earlier. Does 9 o’clock fit?

The war between Commission and bars and restaurants is an ongoing one. One where tough decisions are required to be made on both sides.

Some recent coronavirus numbers.

Yesterday, Florida topped 1 million cases.

Yesterday also, Monroe County had 3,515 new cases. One thousand seven hundred were in Key West. Key West is continuously the city getting hit with numbers far in excess of others in Monroe County. Key Largo was the next highest yesterday and days before. Four hundred fifty five yesterday.

No comparison.

Numbers are also provided for the number of coronavirus patients in the Lower Keys Medical Center. Only 5 yesterday. Sounds good. However, the number does not reflect the number of Key West sick requiring hospitalization. Most are helicoptered to Miami hospitals.

Trump is performing again this evening. A Victory Rally in Valdosta, Georgia. Newsmax is carrying it live.

I assume Trump is there to support the 2 Republicans in the Senate run off January 5. I am willing to bet most of his talk will address his personal thoughts and reactions regarding his Presidential defeat. Something we have all heard many times before.

In the last 20 years, China seems to move more swiftly than the U.S. and Russia.

China is massively expanding its Weather Modification Program. Claims it will be able to cover half of the country with artificial rain and snow by 2025. Droughts and hail storms will be eliminated in the areas covered.

Impressive!

“Cloud seeding” is a U.S. discovery. In 1946, a General Electric chemist discovered the process. It would appear the U.S. and Russia have not proceeded to the extent China has, however.

Nuclear war is making a comeback.

The movers are the U.S., China and Russia. Each has been working on developing further their nuclear positions: “New weapons and new ways of using old ones.”

This day 1933,  America danced in the streets! The 21st Amendment had been ratified. Prohibition was over.

Today in 1896 was May and Everest’s last day together for a while. He had to leave Key West tomorrow to return to wherever he worked.

On this their last day together, May and Everest got together after school. Later she wrote, “We were in the sitting room on the sofa until 11 o’clock” when he had to leave, “parting is such sweet sorrow.”

“I wonder when I’ll see him again, oh, it was so hard to let him go.”

Earlier in the day, Laura and Louisa were mad at Everest. They told May he had insulted them “because he didn’t help them across the mud puddle…..so they had to walk over it.” May found her friends’ plight humorous.

Enjoy your day!

Modern Day Benedict Arnold a strong title. I thought about several. Another was Slaps the Constitution That Saved His Ass. How about Bites the Hand That Kept Him Free.

Michel Flynn was pardoned last week by Trump. A lucky man. After all he put the federal Judge through, he was lucky to get the pardon. He was facing a few years in jail.

His most recent action provides a fresh dose of Flynn patriotism. Perhaps Trump/Flynn patriotism.

Jack Holmes wrote an Esquire column that appeared 12/2.

Portions of Holmes opening paragraph tells the story: Flynn…..”endorsed a call for the President to ‘temporarily suspend the Constitution, declare limited martial law,’ have ‘the military oversee a national re-vote,’ and ‘silence the destructive media.”’

A coup by any name.

Flynn an example of the scum Trump swims with in the swamp.

Another column worthy of mention is that of Charles M. Blow in today’s New York Times. Titled: For Trump the Past Is Prologue.

Portions of his opening and closing paragraphs aptly describe Trump: “A fair analysis of Trump’s life…..This is what he has always been: a liar, a con man and a grifter.”

“He doesn’t want to be perceived as a loser, even if he is. He doesn’t want to be perceived as a racist, even if he is. He will bend heaven and earth to create an amenable reality when the real reality is counter to his perception of self.”

In my younger days, I frequently was on Miami Beach. Stayed at the Fontainebleau. Enjoyed its many amenities.

Three or four blocks away was the Forge Restaurant. One or two nights a week, I would stop in for a drink or dinner. The bar active and exciting. The dining room elegant. Food the best.

That was back in the 1960’s and early 1970’s.

I have not returned in all these years. For no other reason that I acquired a condominium at the Jockey Club. There was no reason to leave the Jockey Club. It had everything. Following the Jockey Club, I discovered Key West.

I read today that the Forge Resistant is having a “total auction.” Every thing to be sold. A total renovation to follow.

The new Forge will have to go a long way to beat the one I knew.

Live and learn. Florida’s unemployment checks take forever to be received by those in need of them. Florida ranks 49th in the nation in how long it takes to pay unemployment benefits. Only Hawaii slower.

The size of the check also leaves something to be desired. What it pays not comparable to most states.

Law makers have done nothing to resolve the problem till recently. Governor DeSantis has agreed to look at the problem and correct its deficiencies. Time will tell.

A national study reveals a national recommendation that checks be issued 2-3 weeks. Only 7 states do. There was another study that indicated only 36 percent of the states issued checks within 3 weeks. Whatever, slowness/delay obviously a national problem.

Government today does not appear to care whether those the most needy are effectively serviced.

May Johnson. Life is good these days. Everest still has not got on a boat to take him wherever he works. May gets to spend all her free time with him.

As it should be with lovers.

Yesterday, May and Everest were out and about from after school till 10 in he evening when they returned to May’s home.

Everest left at 11:00. Mama must be happy again that the two are respecting her time limit.

May is happy. She wrote at the end of her diary entry: “Ha! Ha!”

I made a mistake yesterday for which I apologize. I reported Cheryl and Crystal Cates had both died. I was wrong. Only the mother Cheryl.

Crystal remains alive, though still fighting for her life. I wish her a speedier recovery than she has been experiencing thus far. And many years on top of it.

The same for her Dad, the Mayor. Get better and may you and your daughters move on and happily share the years ahead together.

Enjoy your day!

Coronavirus has struck a Key West family in a violent way. One of Key West’s most prominent. Craig and Crystal Cates and their daughter Crystal.

The three were struck low by the virus. Their infection most difficult with which to deal. The three were sent to a Miami hospital several weeks ago for care. Fighting for their the lives the entire time.

Little news is presently available other than two had passed away. As I understand, Crystal first. Then her mother Cheryl. All within a very short time.

Craig remains in bad shape. He is back on the ventilator. A representative of the Key West Citizen tried to talk to him by phone. Craig could not take the call. He did text the reporter however and said he was unable to talk on the phone because he was “struggling to breath.”

I never met the Craig family. Their life was politics. Socialization involved politics. When I moved to Key West, I decided to forego political involvement. Ergo never met Craig, Cheryl and their family. My loss.

Craig was Mayor of Key West for 10 years. Cheryl was Key West’s first lady. Craig was recently elected a County Commissioner.

Even though I never met the family members, I feel a great loss this morning. To the extent of teary eyes as I read about the deaths and the Mayor hanging in there in the Key West Citizen.

I felt I had lost a family member or close friend. It has to be the belief Key Westers hold. We are one human family.

May Cheryl and Crystal rest in peace. God willing, may Craig survive.

The coronavirus numbers are going crazy all over the country. Yesterday’s deaths totaled 3,157. More than died on 9/11.

Coronavirus in the U.S. is less than one year. Trump never appreciated its significance and danger. Interestingly, he has not spoken of the virus since the election.

Locally, bar and restaurant owners have proposed a plan to deal with the virus and their businesses. One facet is they will decide what restrictions, if any, are to be imposed. Beware! It’s like letting the fox in the hen house.

Think for a moment of the theme from Love Story. Where Do I Begin. Recall the words: “Where do I begin to tell the story of how great a LOVE can be…..with angels’ songs, with wild imaginings.”

The emphasis on “love” mine. Delete the word and substitute LIE for it. One word changed and it could be Trump’s theme song.

Trump continues to be a mad man on the stump. He argues he won, Biden lost, and the election was rigged. Not even the courts believe him. He has lost 38 out of 39 lawsuits brought to invalidate the election result in one fashion or another.

Saturday, he will be in Georgia. Purportedly for a “press conference.” It will actually be an opportunity once more to decry the election result.

The man needs a psychiatrist.

The run off election for the two Georgia U.S. Senate seats is January 5. Trump will attack the run off also.

He has already advised Georgia’s Republicans to sit out the vote, claiming it will be another “rigged election.” He also takes the position the two Republican candidates “have not earned your vote.” How this plays in, I am not sure.

Trump’s press secretary Kaylegh McKenany was asked a question about the many large White House parties over the holidays. She responded, “You get looting and protesting, we get the parties.”

A flippant young lady for such an important position.

Pompeo is also throwing parties over in the State Department.

I have a question: Who pays for these parties? The taxpayers? Some special fund? Rich supporters? Who!

I suspect somehow that the monies are coming from some source it should not be. Trump never pays for anything himself. Pompeo cannot afford anything on the scale of large parties.

Trump did a 46 minute video yesterday which was distributed immediately. His talk combative and emphatic. No mention of coronavirus. Merely the election result.

Will he ever give up?

Philip Rucker of the New York Times wrote Trump spewed allegations of voter fraud and outright falsehoods in which he declared the nation’s election system was “under coordinated assault and siege” and “argued it was “statistically impossible” for him to have lost to President-elect Biden.

Second day in a row I have been impressed with an editorial cartoon in the Key West Citizen: “Little Donnie T. wants his run not to die and Little Rudy G. wants his dye not to run.”

The weather. Cold during the night. Turned the heat on again. Supposedly will be better today. Heat turned off a couple of hours ago.

May Johnson a lucky young lady on this day in 1896. Everest missed his boat yesterday. I assume no boat today as he remained all day and into the late evening hours in Key West.

May and Everest got together after school finished and stayed together till evening.

They played by Mama’s rules: “Everest stayed till 11 o’clock. OH SWEET.”

Enjoy your day!

It’s one of those days! So much news. Material galore. So I am rolling out today’s topics as they appears in my notes.

First, a morning happening.

I fell. On the stairs in my home. Sore leg is all I suffered. However my wall at the top of the stairs looks like a Picasso.

I was carrying a large glass of chocolate protein drink up with me to sip on as I wrote. Stubbed my toe as I neared the top. Went flying. As did the chocolate drink.

The wall at the top of the stairs now a work of art! Looks like it will need a paint job to clear what was left after I finished cleaning the wall.

Floor at top of stairs likewise covered. However it is tile and I was easily able to clean the mess.

Why the calamity? Simple. I was not using my cane. This is day 302 on my self-quarantine. I discovered early on the cane was not needed (or so I thought) in the house. When I sensed I was going to fall, there was always a wall or piece of furniture to balance myself.

My theory was good for 302 days. I intend to use my cane in the house more often.

Families not being fed, people being evicted, no work available, etc. The third stimulus package is desperately needed. Such has been the case for several months.

The Democrats came out with their plan in late September or early October. The Senate never voted on it. McConnell has kept it on his desk. Trump says he does not like it.

Not all Republicans have a care not attitude. Four Republican Senators sat down with five Democrats the past few days to see if something could be worked out.

The bill the House approved in September was in the $3 trillion area. The “compromise” bill suggested by the nine Senators yesterday $906 billion. A far cry from what is and has been needed. McConnell thinks it’s too much. Trump does not like it.

They sound like Marie Antoinette: “Let them eat bread!”

Republicans should recall what happened to her.

Trump refuses to give up. Through yesterday morning, 39 lawsuits were brought to have the election declared a fraud, etc. Trump won only 1.

Yesterday after the first 38 defeats, Trump brought another lawsuit. This one in Wisconsin. He has a new tact. He wants the State Supreme Court to nullify and withdraw Governor Evers’ certification of the election.

Does Donald ever learn? When is enough enough with him?

The New York Times reported yesterday that Giuliani sat down with Trump last week to discuss a pardon for Giuliani. Two persons verified the meeting with the Times.

This morning news indicates the issue of Ivanka, Donald Jr., Eric. and son in law Jared arose. Apparently Trump wants them pardoned before he leaves office.

Money flows freely in Washington. A story broke yesterday of a federal court pending lawsuit where someone was tying to bribe another person to get Trump to pardon someone else.

Lawsuit several months old. Nothing further known at this time.

Pardons for sale. Wonder if there will be such a sign on the White House lawn.

Republicans have politically destroyed reality in everything they do. This has to stop.

Such action has been ongoing for at least 30 years. A planned event. Take for example the conservative Supreme Court. The Federalist Society has fought for 30 years or more for it. They now have it. The Court will reek havoc on the American people.

People feel unsafe. Have felt that way for many years. I refer to uneducated whites. Thirty years ago they were making as much as a college graduate. Today so little in comparison. They looked to Trump to return them to the comfortable days they once knew. A time when they felt safe. Not realizing he never would.

A funny cartoon on today’s Key West Citizen’s editorial page. A husband and wife sitting in their rocking chairs watching TV. The husband says: “Look at all the kissing and hugging.” The wife responds: “Will a vaccine bring it back?”

May Johnson this day 1896.

Everest missed the boat. May wrote, “Ev. got left, the boat was gone when he got down, ha!”

The hand writing is on the wall. The Trump ship is going down. The rats are jumping overboard.

Attorney General Barr announced yesterday that the Department of Justice investigation uncovered no widespread fraud that would change election results.

Barr needs to get on the side of truth and righteousness. His ass could be on the line, though I doubt it.

The Georgia special Senate election could turn into blood on the streets. Trump followers protesting big time. At the homes of some election officials. Threats of bodily harm.

Trump recently said voting was rigged in Georgia. Said many times. Suggested Republicans should not even vote on January 5. Implying their votes would mean nothing.

Republican politicians now fear Trump’s comments will keep Republican voters from the polls. Panic is not setting in. It has sunk in.

Various political leaders are coming out advising Republicans to vote.

Interesting.

Georgia has turned into a Michigan. Public employees being threatened. There is a real fear that someone will be seriously harmed.

Parking lot dining in Miami-Dade County has proven to be a hit. Restaurateurs and customers like it.

Restaurants are applying for permission to use their parking lots for dining. Applications being made. Will depend how many parking places a restaurant has. Existing law requires x number of spaces. A restaurant will need extra spaces to set up parking lot dining.

The weather outside is frightful…..Actually not that bad. The problem is that it is the first cold wave of the season. We have to adjust.

I went to sleep with a heavy quilt on me. Woke at 1 am and was cold. Especially my ears. Temperature 61 degrees. Turned the heat on. Within 15 minutes, everything was ok. In fact, it got so warm I did not need the blanket.

Going to be colder tonight. Perhaps high 50’s.

Cold front will have passed friday when the temperature by day will be in the high 70’s.

Understand how I feel. I am not a big fan of cold weather, that’s why I moved to Key West.

Hope you enjoyed today’s Morning Stew.

Enjoy your day, also!