The hurricane season is upon us. Ten days away.

The hurricane calendar is of man’s making. Unfortunately, hurricanes pay no attention to it. Which means the first hurricane(s) can come earlier.

There are already 2 storms lurking. One basically a non-entity. In the Gulf. Only a 20 percent chance it will tun into a storm. The other could be of concern.

Still a storm. Moving west over the Atlantic 600 miles east of Bermuda. Considered to have an 80 percent chance of turning into a hurricane. Since it is still far out, it is difficult to determine where if at all it will hit on the American seaboard.

Hurricanes are fickle. Like many people. They cannot make up their minds. The Gulf 20 percenter could turn into an 80 percent hurricane and the 80 percenter work itself down to nothing.

The experts predict a heavier than normal hurricane season. The projection is 13-20 named storms.

My suggestion to the hurricanes: Stay away from Key West! We still remember Irma.

A well known epidemiologist Shanna H. Swan brought to light two interesting problems as she sees them. Her recent book Count Down co-authored with Stacey Colino.

Swan writes it is possible that man’s sperm count can be down to zero by 2045. Obviously, a procreation problem.

Swans advises sperm counts have been dropping significantly with no indication the rate is slowing down.

Shocking: The sperm count has dropped by one half in the last 40 years. In 1973, the average ejaculate was 99 million sperm per milliliter. By 2011, it was down to 47 million sperm per milliliter.

Swan suggests there may be another problem. The shape of the sperm. The shape may be changing. It could have an effect on pregnancies occurring.

Recognize that sperm have to be well shaped to swim upstream for conception to occur.

All interesting. Definitely must be studied further by the experts.

Many Americans are a bit crazy. Probably even me. I make this statement as an introduction to Biden’s having signed the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act yesterday. Popularly referred to as the Anti-Asian Hate Crime Bill.

I was unaware Asians were not liked in the U.S. I thought Trump created the problem when he blamed China for coronavirus. Not so. The problem goes back more than a century.

Those of Asian extraction are now talking like the Blacks. They walk and drive in fear they will be shot, for example.

I came across a statement by Rutherford B. Hayes proving the point. Hayes was the 19th President of the U.S., 1877-1881. He said, “I am satisfied the present Chinese labor invasion (it is not in any proper sense immigration – women and children do not come) is pernicious and should be discouraged. Our experience in dealing with the weaker races – the Negroes and Indians, for example – is not encouraging. We shall oppress the  Chinamen, and their presence will make hoodlums and vagabonds of their oppressors. I therefore would consider with favor suitable measures to discourage the Chinese from coming to our shores.”

Another Israeli/Palestinian cease fire.

How long will this one last?

The war between the two has been going on for decades. Always the same violence. Governments world wide urge de-escalation. A cease fire agreement is reached.

The scenario never changes.

Experts warn the war cannot go on periodically. There must be a final resolution. Netanyahu at the moment is a match that could ignite a Middle East war.

The Marciopa County audit has developed a life of its own. What was supposedly a 2-3 audit is now expected to be completed by the end of June.

The audit group apparently is not securing and holding safe the voting machines. Some 400 are involved. The machines are being pulled apart to examine the inner workings to see if any physical part of them could automatically alter a ballot.

The machines cost missions of dollars.

Arizona Secretary of State Katie Hobbs (Democrat) sent a letter to the Marciopa County Board of Supervisors that the machines turned over may not be safe for use in future elections. Hobbs wrote, I have “grave concerns regarding the security and the integrity of the machines.”

Enjoy your day!

I discovered a winner last night. A new restaurant. Marylin’s at the far end of Grinnel across from the parking garage. Once Finnegan’s Wake.

Terri White was singing. I went to see Terri. Walked in the door and was shocked! The place was packed! People liking both Terri and the restaurant.

Short and sweet.

The food excellent. Not expensive. From $5 to $18. Meals more. I had fish and chips. Two large pieces of fish. Great fries. Cole slaw. $15. Could not finish. Too much food.

Happy Hour 1-7. 2 for 1. Top brands.

Staff cordial.

Atmosphere bright and cheery.

I will be returning.

Not done yet. It was like old home week. Everyone out for the first time. The room imbued with the Key West spirit.

Saw Terri obviously. Sat at the bar with Donna. Sally de Haven, Dr. Fred Covan, and Laurie Thibaud. Lynda and Bob Frechette back for a while. Bob recently up and about after some serious post surgery problems. Looked great. Lost 25 pounds. Sometimes there is an upside to an illness.

Ran into Aaron and Karen as I was walking to Marylin’s from the parking garage. Been a while. It was good to see them. They were on their way to somewhere else.

The House vote on the January 6 commission was impressive. All the Democrats voted for it. Thirty five Republicans crossed the aisle to join them.

The Senate votes today. Anticipated the Republicans will not support the commission. A disgrace!

Most Republicans in Washington are behaving like ignoramus thugs. Democracy/government not important. Winning is. Even if to the detriment of the nation.

The Senate Republican vote will oppose to protect Trump and Mc Carthy. It will keep Trump out of trouble for the moment re January 6. It will help Mc Carthy in his quest for the Speaker position.

Israel is over flexing its muscle. It is destroying an area and its people. Enough is enough.

Netanyahu over 10 years has become an almost despot. Definitely an authoritarian figure. He and Trump birds of a feather.

Netanyahu could also trigger a Middle East war. The Arab nations are not united in now wanting Israel destroyed. During the Trump era, Israel began doing business with many Arab nations.  The image portrayed is Israel is still hated. Not true. Money has a way of changing opinions, making enemies friends.

I get confused on occasion. What I am about to share is not reverse discrimination, but something akin to it. You get the feeling something is not right.

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot is now giving interviews “only to black or brown journalists.”

Only as to local journalists? National ones included? No one knows yet.

Enjoy your day!

There’s a relatively new lets get together “social” site. A “messaging” one. Called WhatsApp. Simple to use.

Generally directed at strangers who have similar interests as the one initiating the message. Like lets get together and kill some Jews tonight! Or, Palestinians!

Within hours, groups agree to meet at a designated place and time to wreak havoc. Most of the groups in the first instance unknown to each other.

An example occurred last week. An Israeli group placed a message on WhatsApp that 6 pm was the starting time for a clash. Time and where to meet, etc. spelled out.

This particular event involved a planned clash in Bat Yam. Bat Yam a community on the coast of Israel. The town has many long time Palestinian residents who have lived peacefully for years in the nation of Israel.

There was a theme to the message: “Together we organize and together react…..here we know how to defend Jewish honor.”

Extremists on both sides in the Israeli/Hamas problem have discovered and are using WhatsApp.

WhatsApp is owned by Facebook.

Things move fast. Especially something like WhatsApp. Could be popular on U.S. soil within a week. A quick way for insurrectionists to get together for example. Even BLM groups. Any group. Run the message, plan and execute within a matter of hours.

Last year, Trump worked hard for an Israeli/Palestine solution. One problem, however. He only had Netanyahu to the White House to discuss the matter. Communication with the Palestinian representatives was limited.

An “agreement” was reached. Jared Kushner took the point for Trump. The agreement: “Peace to Prosperity: Vision to Improve the Lives of the Palestinian and Israeli People.” Trumped called it the “deal of the century.”

As recently as two months ago, Kushner crowed: “We are witnessing the last vestiges of what has been known as the Arab-Israeli conflict.”

A typical Trump success story. It blew up. Today’s news says it all.

Poor Donald. The chickens are coming home to roost. The New York Attorney General advised her civil inquiry into the Trump organization was now also a criminal one.

A step at a time. The walls are coming down.

Cracks are appearing in the Republican dike. The most recent the Maricopa audit.

An Arizona State Senate move. Their baby alone.

The GOP Maricopa County Board of Supervisors is sick of the whole thing. The line was drawn in the sand.

Both the Senate and Board of Supervisors are Republican controlled.

The Supervisors sent a 13 page letter to the Senate advising the audit was a “sham.” They generally condemned it advising the Board would cease all cooperation with the Senate’s audit efforts. The Board further stated the Senate audit had made Arizona a “laughingstock.”

Virginia Senator Tim Kane, a Catholic, has jumped into the Bishops/Biden Communion fray. He said, “Just as I don’t believe Catholic clergy should dictate how I do my job representing a pluralistic society, I don’t presume to suggest what Church doctrine should be.”

The Bishops have forgotten government is none of their business as the Church is none of government’s business.

What happened to separation of Church and State?

Chicago had another bad shooting weekend. Forty eight shootings, 5 killed. Two police officers among the 48 shot.

Insurance companies and banks are birds of a feather. Both whores.

The hurricane season begins in less that 2 weeks on June 1. Hurricanes an annual problem in the lower Keys. Insurance companies were aware of this fact when they sold the policies.

It was announced that 3 insurers are cancelling or not renewing Florida coverage provided to 50,000 customers. The 3 companies also said why: The hurricane season is approaching.

Whores? You better believe it. The companies had no problem selling the policies during the “safe” season and pocketing the premiums for such time.

There should be a law!

The 3 companies are Universal Insurance of North America, Gulfstream Property and Casualty, and Southern Fidelity.

It is anticipated that some of the policies will be rewritten at a higher cost and with less options available.

A tragedy of sorts last night.

Preparation for Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou takes up most of the afternoon and part of the early evening. I am generally done and ready to go by 8.

Last night was no different.

I laid down at 8 to watch TV till 8:50 when I need to start punching the buttons to get the show ready for the 9 o’clock opening.

I fell asleep!

Woke at 9:07. Foggy. Knew there was something I had to do. The show!

I rushed to get going. Was on about 9:10. I moved!

One minor problem. I was still half asleep. Mumbled through the first 5 minutes. Advised my audience I had fallen asleep.

Shame on me! My show was limited to 20 minutes and I do not know at the moment how many listeners I lost.

I have been doing the show about 8 years. The sleep thing happened once before. Same fact pattern.

The game plan is for me to go out tonight. Terri White is singing from 5-8 at Marylin’s. Hope I make it.

Enjoy your day!

Republican walls are slowly but surely breaking down.

The most recent is the Arizona “audit.” The Maricopa Board of Supervisors has had it with the Arizona Senate’s audit of the 2020 election results. The gauntlet has been thrown.

The Board spoke out yesterday. In a long letter to the Senate, referred to the audit as a “sham.” Generally condemned the audit. Claims the audit is causing Arizona to become a “laughingstock.”

In recent weeks it has been Liz Cheney. She is on a mission. As well as others.

The Republican Party is self-destructing.

I have more to discuss and analyze. No time, however. My morning was eaten up at the hospital. Tonight is Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. I have to get ready for the show.

Michelle Goldberg’s Opinion piece re Kushner’s failure with his Middle East Peace Plan, the Lt. Colonel who wrote a book critical of the military’s agenda rooted in Marxism which he self published. It is #1 on the Amazon Best Seller List.

Forty eight shootings in Chicago over the weekend, Bishops should keep their noses out of politics, and 3 Florida insurance companies dumping Florida policy holders because hurricane season is around the corner.

Only the beginning. These topics and more will be part of tonight’s show. Join me. A fun filled interesting time. Show begins at 9 sharp. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou.

Enjoy your day!

Insanity prevails.

One example is the Israeli/Hamas problem.

Jesus said in effect violence begets violence. Matthew 26:52.

Martin Luther King uttered the words in one of his speeches: “Hate begets hate; violence begets violence.”

This past week violence escalated in the Holy Land. Trump made it possible. He did everything to support Israel in the four years he was President. Emboldened Netanyahu. Basically ignored the Palestinians.

Jerusalem took a beating from the Israelis this past week. A person living in the Christian quarter of the Old City of Jerusalem asked, “When will all this madness stop?”

Another example of current insanity is Adeel Raja. A long time CNN contributor. He tweeted: “The world today needs a Hitler.” He withdrew the tweet following the furor it created.

Anti-Semitism has been spreading on a world wide basis the past several years. An example is a recent situation in London where anti-Semitic chants of “Fuck Jews, rape their daughters” were heard in a demonstration.

Insanity has a place in the Catholic Church, also.

The U.S. Conference of Bishops is an extreme right conservative group. Bishops playing politics. Should be a no no. Never the less, prevails.

The Bishops are encouraged by the likes of Steve Bannon and Newt Gingrich. The Bishops Conference has not learned: When you go to bed with dogs, you wake up with fleas.

The Bishops Conference seeks the overthrow of Pope Francis and the existing Vatican. Too liberal in their opinion.

The Bishops’ primary thrust is to formally ban politicians who are Catholics from receiving Communion if they are pro-choice. The abortion issue never dies.

The move is too embarrass Biden. A religious Catholic who attends Church regularly and receives Communion each time.

Francis has had his hand full in fighting the Bishops’ Conference. Fortunately only half the Bishops belong to the Conference and hold the belief. Francis has on his side the other half. Similar to politics in the U.S. today.

A meeting of the Bishops Conference is scheduled for June 16-18. It was intended to be a get Biden time. Francis became aware and has thwarted the move. Francis had a Vatican representative write the Bishops Conference Francis’ position: Such an effort could “become a source of larger discord rather than unity within the episcopate and the larger Church in the U.S.”

A noteworthy decision by the U.S. Supreme Court came down this day in 1954. Brown v. Board of Education. Unquestionably historical.

The decision was unanimous. The Court decided racial segregation in pubic educational facilities was unconstitutional.

Here we are 67 years later, and the black/white problem continues to permeate the nation. A very much today problem as it was in 1954.

My time in Key West is pushing 30 years. I have been fortunate to meet many people and became friends with most.

As time progresses and I get older, I find many of my friends dying. My group of long time friends constantly becoming smaller. Rather swiftly, I might add.

The most recent is Dottie Clements. She died yesterday. Cancer.

I first met Dottie some 25 years ago. A personality. Always helpful. A best description would be she was “good people.”

May she rest in peace.

Colonial Pipeline got hacked. Key West was dry for 24 hours. The pumps should not have been without for any length of time.

Key Westers panicked and filled up! Understandable. However not required.

The eastern Florida Panhandle is the only geographical area of Florida primarily serviced by Colonial Pipeline. Monroe County was not affected. Fuel deliveries continued as scheduled through out Monroe County.

It was the panic at the pumps that caused the brief shortage in Key West and not the Colonial Pipeline hacking problem.

Enjoy your day!

A big day! Terri White sings this afternoon. At Marylins from 3-5. Marylins is where Finnegan’s Wake was previously located.

Anytime Terri sings is special. Today’s appearance even more special. Terri is being paid to perform.

COVID-19 affected persons in all occupatons. Performers included.

The bars and restaurants had no money to pay performers.

Terri has had a couple of gigs this year. Two as I recall. Sang strictly for tips.

You can appreciate the significance of today’s appearance for her.

May it be the first of many for Terri. May other performers also begin getting paying gigs.

Coronavirus in India out of sight! Especially strange since India and the virus were not heavily engaged last year. Today India has more new cases per day than anywhere else in the world.

Body disposition a problem. Undertakers backed up. Crematoriums full with waiting bodies.

A crisis situation.

So bad that bodies are now being found which had been buried  along river banks. Rains have washed away the sand covering the bodies. Photos appear on the internet clearing exhibiting the bodies now revealed.

Certain religious sects among the Hindus bury as part of their religion on river banks. The government over the years has set aside certain areas for the burials.  The river bank burials now exceed normal numbers because of the virus.

Masks and social distancing have been lifted federally. Florida’s Governor DeSantis ordered the restrictions lifted even before.

DeSantis moved too fast. Florida’s numbers are surging. Yesterday, 3,300 new cases. The death toll continues to rise.

My friends, don’t throw your masks away yet. Exercise discretion, but use them where they should be worn.

There is disruption in the ranks in Arizona. Some Republican Maricopa election officials have begun to recognize the audit for what it is. A fraud.

One official is County Recorder Stephen Richer. The person in charge of elections. A Republican elected in November. Has had the job since January 1. He’s had it!

Richer tweeted, “We can’t indulge in these insane lies any longer…..as a party, as a state, as a country.” These “unfounded accusations must stop…..Enough with the defamation.”

Richer is especially disturbed that he is being accused of shredding ballots and deleting files for an election he did not run.

The audit is out of control. Maricopa County’s 2.1 million ballots were to have been audited in 3 weeks. The 3 weeks have come and gone. Only 250,000 reviewed so far.

In addition, auditing had to stop and all ballots, computers, desks, etc. removed as the building the audit was being done in was rented out for a graduation.

The ballots reportedly were carefully boxed and sit in large trucks awaiting return to the auditing site.

Per his usual custom, Trump issued an erroneous statement re the situation: “The entire data base of Maricopa County…..DELETED.”

Netanyahu has developed into a very dangerous man. His 10 years in power have developed into 10 years too many.

This “war” between  Israel and Gaza must stop. Israel the superior power. Frequent bombings by both sides. Children being killed. More by the Israeli’s.

I suspect Netanyahu is flexing his muscles because he is in a non ending election battle. Several reruns and Netanyahu still cannot make up a coalition party.

In addition, Netanyahu is facing several criminal charges.

Trump emboldened Netanyahu. He did everything he could for Israeli in the 4 years he was President. Nothing of significance for the Palestinians.

His son-in-law Jared Kushner failed to help also. He was the intermediary between the 2 countries. He succeeded at nothing.

Trump is as convinced he brought the Israelis and Palestinians together as he is he lost the election because of fraud. Trump’s “deal of the century” a sham.

Modern science is amazing!

Scientists have developed a way for pigs and rodents to breath through their butts. Has something to do with their intestines.

The scientists claim once the process is finalized, it will help support critically ill patients with respiratory failure.

Key West is 2 weeks from the beginning of hurricane season. It has been announced that hurricane re-entry stickers are available. They can be obtained at City Hall. Proof of residency required.

Enjoy your Sunday!

A gift was delivered to the American people this week. We were told to throw off the “chains.” If, and the if is important, you had received 2 shots and 2 weeks had passed since the last one. Immunity was yours!

I am having trouble getting used to going out. This once man about town leaves his house only once or twice a week

Now, I can also remove my mask! Did not fly with me. Wore it all the time I was out.

Yesterday while driving and walking the streets, I saw no one wearing a mask. It did not concern me. I still have that ingrained feeling I might get the virus. Not one person was wearing a mask.

Lori has been cutting my hair for 25 years. Takes very good care of me.

I walked into her beauty salon wearing my mask. Kept the mask on the whole time I was there. Lori and her staff were wearing masks. Other customers were masked up also.

Those of you who have visited Key West are aware of Simonton Street. One block below Duval running parallel to Duval.

The street named after John Simonton.

Simonton was the first person to own all of the Island of Key West.

He died this day in 1854.

Friends of Don Manaher! The dearest of people. Loved and respected by all.

Don is in a Chicago Hospital. Cancer of the lungs. He begins treatment next week.

As I get more information, I shall provide it. At the moment, you know all I know.

This day in 1252 an interesting one. Diabolical in nature.

Pope Innocent IV issued the papal bull Ad extinpauda.  The papal bull authorized, but limited, the torture of hostages during the Medieval Inquisition.

Brought to mind the U.S. prison at Guantanamo. Once held just under 800 prisoners. Today, 40. Nine died while confined there.

In the early part of this century, Bush 2 was President. Cheney his Vice-President. They decided to use Guantanamo as a prison for “special” terrorist criminals. What followed was pure and simple torture and disregard for the rule of law.

Word got out re the sickening treatment of the prisoners. Bush/Cheney decided a “writing” was necessary justifying U.S. actions at Guantanamo.

Two attorneys in the Justice Department wrote a report specifying activities at the U.S. prison were proper and consistent with law.  John Yoo and Jay Bybee.

The roof fell in on them. A Justice Department investigation. A review of the situation indicated the two were guilty of poor judgement. They were fortunate there was not a finding of professional misconduct.

Mam supposedly learns from history. Bush 2, Cheney and the 2 attorneys did not. Sad also because only one person’s opinion would have sufficed to provide honest answers. John McCain.

Matt Gaetz is doing terrific. Every time he opens his mouth, he put his foot in it. I suspect his time to be charged is close at hand.

What allegedly began with sex with a 17 year old girl for money has lead to other possible charges, if true. Snorting cocaine at a party, going out with a paid escort who had a “no show” job with Joel Greenberg.

Beast reported today that Greenberg will identify 15 young women Gaetz paid for sex.

In an article in Salon yesterday, bipartnership was described as Joe Manchin’s folly. He fails to understand Republicans do not want bipartnership, they want power.

Enjoy your day!

The shame of it all!

U.S. Marine Major Christopher Warnagires has been arrested for participating in January 6 insurrection. He is the first military duty member so arrested.

The charge: He “violently entered the Capitol on January 6, after pushing through a line of police officers guarding the East Rotunda doors” and then used his body to keep a door open so others could enter. Videos show him pushing away a Metropolitan Capitol police officer who tried to close the door.

Get them all! Even Congresspersons who participated in some fashion. Clean house!

Ransom dollars have returned as an illicit way to make money.

My recollection is a number of years ago, cruise ships and other vessels were stopped by “prates” on the high seas who demanded ransom dollars.

The game is back. This time via cyber warfare.

A few days ago, the Colonial Pipeline was hacked. A Russian group/company has been determined to be the villains. Five million dollars demanded to resolve Colonial Pipeline’s problem.

Yesterday confidential documents from  the Washington D.C. Police Department. A Russian speaking “ransomware syndicate” known as the Bakeek Group responsible. The Group has demanded $4 million to avoid the hacking.

This problem involving cyber activity is not new. It first reared its ugly head a few years ago. The major companies now placed in cyber danger would rater pay the ransoms. Cheaper for them in the long run. Insurance companies now provide coverage to pay the ransoms.

Authorities on the other hand want the companies not to pay as it will encourage further such activity.

A new ball game! The opposition/good guys have to hurry to get their act together so this new vermin can be eliminated. No easy task.

Historian Jon Meachem has a new podcast show: “Fate of Fact.” Some recent comments by him.

“The GOP has dissolved into a contrary, conspiracy and falsehoods.”

“We have not seen the last to a changing demographic and country.”

“There was a lot of gasoline on the garage floor of the Republican Party, and Trump was a match.”

“We came as close to losing the country as we know it on January 6 as we have since the Civil War.”

Keen observations.

Moving to Liz Cheney. The Republican Party will lament throwing Liz Cheney overboard. She will be a guaranteed thorn in eh Republican Party’s side. She will not go quietly into the night.

She will so be till the Republicans Party corrects itself or a new party is formed.

Oxitec back! In full fighting form. Even Bill and Melinda Gates have invested money in the company. To the tune of $4.1 million.

They are testing in the Keys again. New sites. Boxes with genetically modified mosquitoes have been set in 6 places. Three on Cudjo, 1 on Ramrod and 3 in Marathon.

The program is to release 12,000 so modified mosquitoes each week for 12 weeks. Twelve thousand each week.

Once again the Keys are sought to be a guinea pig. Someone should publicize Oxitec ‘s failures in Africa and Brazil.

A local group has commenced a lawsuit. This first one merely to collect Oxitec papers.

I have an appointment for a haircut later this morning. Going to feel strange. I assume I will be among people not wearing masks. I am going to continue wearing mine for a while. After more than a year wearing one, I would feel naked without. Also fearful that the no mask edict may have come too soon.

Enjoy your day!

The Colonial Pipeline gas line gets hacked. The Atlantic seaboard in danger of running out.

In the lower Keys, stations already have the plastic bags on the pump handles. Many stations still with gasoline have long lines of cars waiting to fill up.

Most Key West stations closed down last night or failed to open this morning.

One thing bothers me. Key West, the Keys as a whole, and all of Florida should not have a gasoline shortage problem. Florida only receives 10 percent of its gasoline through the Colonial Pipeline. The remaining 90 percent (no small number) flows from cargo ships in state ports and then trucked to gas stations.

Meaning Florida has access to plenty of gasoline. Why then the shortage? To an extent topping. I have to believe however that those trucks supposed to be shipping the 90 percent are intentionally being held up so prices can be raised at the stations.

Called greed!

Staying with the Colonial Pipeline hacking, why has the U.S. not yet retaliated? We supposedly know the company in Russia responsible. Something significant must be done to discourage similar activity in other areas.

No reason to have to cross border lines into Russia to punish/get even. The company responsible must have offices elsewhere in the world. Knock off a few at one time. The whole world will understand the lesson: Don’t screw with the U.S.!

The Executive Order Biden signed yesterday has nothing to do with getting even, teaching a lesson.

Normalcy returning to Key West! The Hemingway Look-Alike Contest will be held 7/22-7/24. Last year the contest was cancelled. Coronavirus the problem.

Per custom, the event will be headquartered at Sloppy Joe’s. The best part of the weekend for me is the Running of the Bulls. Always exciting!

Biden and 4 Congressional leaders met in the White House yesterday. To discuss further the proposed infrastructure bill.

Following the meeting, McConnell and McCarthy made statements.

McConnell said the 2017 tax cut is not on the table. The red line drawn in the sand if Biden insists on it.

McCarthy’s statements equally negative. Even worse the fundraising letter he sent out after the meeting seeking money to fight Biden and the rest of the Democrats. The funding for his personal political coffers.

The letter bothered me. McCarthy labeled Biden with some disparaging term. I have only heard it on TV. I was unable to find it mentioned on the internet this morning. How can 2 opponents make a deal if one calls the other names?

Biden has cancelled one of Trump’s worst moves. Recall when Trump transferred billions out of the military budget and sent it to the border wall? Trump did not use anywhere near all of it. Fortunately. The monies remaining have now been returned to the military budget.

The pictures available of the portions of the wall new or renovated by the Trump transferred funds show many portions already in ruin.

Good job, Donald!

Yesterday’s news indicates Matt Gaetz’s alleged underage girl friend may soon be cooperating with the Feds.

It has already been reported that Gaetz’s friend Joel Greenberg is. Greenberg is facing 33 charges. The court has given him till saturday to make a deal or go to trial soon thereafter.

Regarding girl friends, it was also reported there is an alleged second 17 year old girl that Gaetz was involved with.

Netanyahu has changed during  his 10 years in office. He has become an authoritarian. He, Putin and Trump birds of a feather. Netanyahu is dropping bombs and killing people. He is encouraging a war that could lead to a larger and more devastating one.

Penn State is a state owned and operated university. Its employees are part of the Pennsylvania Pension Plan.

The Plan has a “forfeiture ” portion. Public employees convicted of job related claims lose their pensions.

Recall the Jerry Sandusky case and sexual assaults on athletes. Sandusky doing 30 plus years for his wrongdoings.

Those who knew but did not report Sandusky were also charged. Some plead or were convicted. Some did jail time. Some still under some type confinement such as home confinement.

Gary Schultz one of those persons. A Sr. Vice-President, he knew but did not report Sandusky. In 2017, he pled guilty to endangering the welfare of a child and was sentenced to 6-23 months in jail. Served only 2 months. He was released to home arrest and probation.

Schultz is receiving a Pennsylvania state pension to the tune of $330,699 a year. Big money!

Authorities claim “Schultz’s crime fell between the cracks.”

What now? We have to wait and see.

Enjoy your day!

No question, the Republican Party is burning Liz Cheney at a political stake. Her execution demanded because she spoke truth to power. She voted to impeach Trump and has spoken openly that she does not believe Trump’s Big Lie that he won the election.

Charles Blow in a recent Opinion piece in the New York Times wrote re Liz Cheney: “Chilling, a Joan of Arc willing to be burned at a political stake and become a martyr for conviction and moral clarity.”

Former Senator Jeff Flake was sent back home when he opposed Trump two years ago. He understands martyrdom.

Flake wrote in an Opinion piece in the Washington Post yesterday: “In today’s Republican Party, there is no greater offense than honesty.”

George Orwell back when in one of his works wrote: “The further a society drifts from the truth, the more it will hate those who speak it.”

Thomas Jefferson as we all recall wrote: “We hold these truths to be self-evident.” Evidencing that from the very beginning of America, our freedom has been predicated on truth.

Truth to power sometimes difficult. It takes courage. Especially where Trump is concerned. Trump slaughters everyone who opposes him.

If these were the days of Nero and Trump were Nero, he would have those who oppose him fed to the lions.

Those who follow Trump fail to recognize democracy cannot last without truth.

What is happening indicates the time we live in could mark the end of the Republican Party. Unless people of courage stand and form a new party.

It was announced over the weekend that 100 former Republican officials have joined together and threaten to break away and form a third party.

Liz Cheney represents the final straw. She is the spark that will ignite the division. She is the strength that could make a new party successful.

Not initially. Definitely not in 2022. A new party split would cause some members of the new party to be elected to the House and Senate. The margins in the 2 chambers are close. The Democrats have something like an 8 vote plurality in the House. The Senate is equally divided between Democrats and Republicans.

Were the new party members to vote with the Democrats, the following 2 years would be great for America. The nation must be brought back. Its people made to understated. Only Biden and a Democratic plurality in both Houses can do it.

Kathleen Post in today’s Washington Post wrote a right on piece re people returning to work titled “Can We All Just Get Vaccinated And Get Back To Work?” Post wrote: “The U.S. isn’t suffering a job shortage so much as it is suffering a shortage of people willing to work.”

Montana and South Carolina recognize that staying at home and receiving the new federal dole outs is financially more feasible than working for $8.65 an hour. Both states have decided to refrain from taking federal dollars in the $300 and $600 per week program the stimulus provides.

The two states recognize how their citizens think. More bucks for staying home rather than returning to work.

Montana’s goal is to get people back to work. It is a different form of “free” money. Workers will receive state funded bonuses between $600 and $1,200 for returning to work and staying in the work force for one month.

Socialism?

As Parker wrote, “The gentle caress of the benevolent hand of Big Government becomes the grip of dependence.”

Post closes her article: “The governors (Montana and South Dakota) recognize what the economists are only just sensing. Economic incentive is what drives human beings. What began as a helping hand now looks like an incentive to take a nap. For the economy’s sake, lets get vaccinated and back to work.”

Sometimes it takes a while for the evil that men do to manifest itself. I refer in this instance to what is happening with the NRA.

The NRA has been rebuked. By a Bankruptcy Court judge in Dallas.

Hard to believe. Owe a dollar and a Bankruptcy Court will care for the bankrupt like a new born baby. Not in this instance.

The NRA filed its Petition in Bankruptcy in January. Why? New York’s Attorney General Latita James was pursuing a regulatory action to shut down the NRA amid a corruption investigation.

The NRA and its Executive Director Wayne La Pierre thought by filing for bankruptcy and doing it far from New York would avoid the criminal justice hand of New York.

Was the NRA and La Pierre wrong!

Attorney General James challenged the legitimacy of the bankruptcy. She said it was a sham. An attempt to avoid big time criminal prosecution in Nw York.

The Bankruptcy judge agreed. He wrote the NRA’s problem was not a financial one. It was a regulatory enforcement problem.

The judge also noted the sneakiness of the Bankruptcy filing. The filing was a secretive one. Why file in far away Dallas rather than New York? His other concern was the NRA’s Board of Directors knew nothing about the filing.

A something stinks in Denmark situation.

The Key West Citizen has been Key West’s daily for many years. A good little newspaper. Burdened with insufficient funds, it does not always print all the news. Never the less, it is a mainstay respected in the community.

The Citizen began business in 1876, One hundred forty five years ago. It has hung in there all those years faithfully continuing to serve Key West.

Two recent Citizens’ Voice comments of interest.

The first, there still remains two Confederate flags flying atop a building in Key West. There was mention made in Comment that the person flying the two Confederate flags might perhaps be an Old Mississippi graduate.

A new Comment this morning addressing last week’s Comment and the issue. Today’s Comment: : “In November 2020, Mississippi voted overwhelmingly to remove its existing state flag because it had become a symbol of slavery and oppression in the Black community.”

This morning’s Citizens’ Voice printed a Comment re Florida’s new voting restrictions: “The new voting restriction to ‘eliminate fraud’ are fraud per se.”

That’s it for now my friends.

Enjoy your day!