There are two constants. Death and change. Death not the topic today. Change is.

The Chart Room has been my home away from home for 20 years. My first stop every evening.

It was Key West. Yesterday and today. The pandemic and death have changed it.

During the 20 years, it was locals and tourists. Rare was the evening I would not run into local friends. Locals including snowbirds.

It was fun. Chatting with them and the locals we would meet.

Now that I am back on the road again, the “locals” most nights is me.  Jean, if she is in town.

The locals have moved, sold their homes, lost them in foreclosure or died. In recent years, it has become economically difficult for many to remain.

The Chart Room is one of Key West’s most famous haunts. Tourists continue to arrive. In even greater numbers than before the pandemic.

John still bartending. Some 5 years. I need more than John to make my evening complete, however.

I stopped in last night. About 10 tourists. I the lone local. Chatted a few minutes with John and the tourists. Not the same. I left.

Decided to have dinner at Pepe’s. Danny Hughes just bought it. Decided to make Pepe’s a once a week dinner stop to show my support for Danny.

Old Key West in atmosphere. Not many locals as I recall. It has been years since I have had dinner at Pepe’s.

I drove by. The place was full. People waiting on the sidewalk. Did not even stop.

Decided to try Shanna Key. A for real Irish restaurant. Located on Flagler. I was looking for food at this point, not company.

A huge bar.

I enjoyed a meal my mother used to make. Fried liver and onions. Outstanding! I enjoyed the meal, thought of my mother, and watched the second half of the Alabama game.

Syracuse had a doubleheader yesterday. Two games. Football and basketball.

It was a bad day at Black Rock. Syracuse lost both games.

Syracuse played football against North Carolina State. North Carolina won 41-17. The result was to be expected. Syracuse continues to fail.

The basketball game was another story. Syracuse played Colgate. Generally, not even a contest. Colgate not in the same league as Syracuse. The game is played this time of the year because Colgate is a Syracuse neighbor and Syracuse uses the game as a warm up.

Not a Syracuse warm up last night. Colgate shellacked Syracuse 100-85. I did not see the game. Caught a Boeheim post game interview. He said it was defense. Syracuse failed on defense.

Colgate was able to make 18 3 pointers. Impossible against the fabled Syracuse zone defense.

Not last night.

Representative Paul Gosar continues to be an object of fame by the nuts with whom he sides. He is the House member who was censured last week for running on Twitter a cartoon of himself killing Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez  and shooting at President Biden.

Gosar announced yesterday that he thought Kyle Rittenhouse deserved the Congressional Medal of Honor.

The man an elected political whack.

An inspiring quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson: “Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.”

Doctors are warning the flu season will be deadlier than most. Their advice: Get the flu shot!

As I am prone to repeat, I swear by the flu shot. Have been getting the shot for 20 years. Prior thereto, got the flu twice a season. No fun! In the last 20 years, not once!

Enjoy your Sunday!

The United states is a developing nation when it comes to getting away with murder. First, it was the police. Now, ordinary citizens.

Kyle Rittenhouse the most recent “citizen.” He was acquitted in the murder of two and injuring of another.

Rittenhouse a 17 year old at the time of the shootings. He knew there were going to be demonstrations in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Left his home in Illinois to attend.

He took with him his AR-15 rifle.

He said he was going to help. Some might believe he was going to kill. Otherwise, why the AR-15?

Killed two. Injured one. The jury acquitted him of all charges.

I did not see enough of the trial to comment as to whether it was a correct verdict. However, I can comment on the not guilty’s effect.

The effect is chilling.

The young killer is a “new” American hero. Hero to insurgents and the radical right.

Insurgency is growing at a rapid pace in the U.S. Examples include the Proud Boys, Oath Keepers, Klu Klux Klan, adherents to the QAnon conspiracy theory, militia men,white supremacists and die hard Trump supporters.

Rittenhouse a political hero. He is scheduled to appear on Tucker Carlson’s show monday night. Carlson accepts Rittenhouse’s claim that he went to Kenosha to “maintain order when no one else would.”

Ann Coulter another on the right. She wants “Rittenhouse for President.”

Matt Gaetz and Marjorie Taylor Greene support him. Gaetz believes Rittenhouse should become a Congressional intern and he is going to help him get such a position.

Rittenhouse’s acquittal emboldens all dissidents. They now feel they can get away with anything, including murder.

To counter the Rittenhouse effect and other insurgent/dissident activity, certain changes are required.

First, cases must move faster. Resolution cannot take 1-2 years. My reference is not to the Rittenhouse matter. Rather to January 6. Arrests must be swifter. We are already 10 months post January 6.

Court procedures are antiquated. They must be adjusted so that these type cases move with all dispatch.

Sentencing must be severe. The hardest permissible.

One item has not reared its ugly head. Yet!

Everyone is receiving death threat letters. Death to you and your family. Generally sent to government officials.

A thought in the back of my mind. Did any of the jurors, or all, receive such letters if they did not vote to acquit? An interesting question. Time will tell.

The Rittenhouse result once again is persons can murder and get away with it. His acquittal I fear has created a new group who believe that they are now as 007. They have a license to kill!

Enjoy your day!

On this day in 1863, Abraham Lincoln spoke for 3 minutes and gave what is characterized as “the most eloquent articulation of the democratic vision ever written.” The Gettysburg Address.

Supermarkets will be crowded today. The saturday before Thanksgiving.

I hope the stores do not run out of turkeys. We have been warned for over a month such could occur. What is Thanksgiving without a turkey?

Matt Gaetz qualifies as a political hack. Perhaps even a child molester.

He spoke re Kyle Rittenhouse yesterday. Gaetz says he is open to offering an internship to Rittenhouse if he is acquitted.

Gaetz’s words: “He is not guilty…..We may reach out to him and see if he’d be interested in helping the country in additional ways.”

An article in the Wall Street Journal reflects drug overdose deaths in the U.S. have hit a record high.

In the 12 month period running through April, there were 100,306 drug overdose deaths. A 29 percent increase from the same period the previous year.

Biden’s social infrastructure bill totals $1.75 trillion. A lot of money.

Biden has claimed the bill would cost taxpayers nothing.

The Congressional Budget Office said yesterday the bill would cost $160 billion over a 10 year period. Amounting to $16 billion a year.

A pittance compared to the overall 10 year bill costing $1.75 trillion. A pittance also to the way money is spent in Washington. $16 billion is nothing.

Time to cut the bullshit. Tjhe House approved the bill this morning. It is now in the hands of the Senate. The Senate should pass it as is or make whatever minimal adjustment it wants to wipe out the $16 billion a year. In whatever fashion, pass it! It will be the best law the Congress has passed in many a year.

One further thing. Biden is to be complimented regarding the bill. A job well done!

Charles Dickens is one of the greatest authors of all time. One of his famous works is “A Tale of Two Cities.”

Many great lines in the work. One is the opening sentence and another one that appears in the final chapter.

The opening line: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.”

From the final chapter: “It is a far, far better thing that I do, than I have ever done; it is a far, far better rest that I go to, than I have ever known.”

Enjoy your day!

The issue whether Biden should be permitted to receive Communion since he supported abortion has been ongoing for a year. Going a step further, whether any Catholic politician who supported abortion should be permitted to receive Communion?

The U.S. Conference of Bishops has been spouting that Biden should be denied Communion. The media constantly reported the Bishops’ position. Nothing was heard from Biden or what might be described as the other side. Biden kept going to Communion as he had his entire adult life.

Pope Francs in Biden’s recent visit told him to continue receiving communion. The Bishops Conference it might be noted is anti-Francis and seek his downfall.

The Bishops were porky about their position re Biden. A false bravado.

It appeared the Bishops Conference was going to formally denounce Biden this week. Turns out their position was a tale “told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.”

The Bishops failed. Their bill in writing was so watered down that the final draft made no mention of Biden or other politicians and their right to receive Communion. It became merely a milquetoast summarizing the Church’s teaching re Communion.

The watered down version passed 222-8 with 3 abstentions.

The result clearly evidences the Bishops’ ineffectiveness. A devastating defeat for their organization.

The U.S. Conference of Bishops is reflective of the far right in the Catholic Church. Years ago, the Republican evangelical right courted the Catholic Bishops. Join us. We can accomplish more together. For that reason or whatever, the Catholic organization went to bed with the evangelicals.

At the moment, the Bishops Conference is nothing more than a voice in the wilderness. Its purported power having taken a serious blow.

There are winners and losers.

The losers are the Catholic Church’s far right groups, Bishop “blowhards,” evangelical Republicans who courted the Bishops, and “power wannabes” Steve Bannon and Newt Gingrich.

Victorious are Pope Francis, the Catholic Church itself, the Catholic hierarchy who supported Francis and opposed the Bishops, and Biden.

Biden is to be complimented on remaining undeterred and continuing to receive Communion. And more importantly, never entering into the fray itself.

On this day in 1863, Lincoln was on a train heading for Gettysburg. He was to make a few remarks at the dedication of the military cemetery at Gettysburg. His was not the main address. Edward Everett was given that distinction. Everett’s “oration” lasted 2 hours. Lincoln’s words less than 5 minutes.

History tells us Lincoln wrote his “speech” on a brown paper bag while riding the train.

The remarks by Lincoln the next day became one of the most famous speeches in American history: The Gettysburg Address.

The Address’ opening paragraph: “Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.”

One hundred fifty eight years later, “liberty” and “all men are created equal” is being tested again.

An interesting fact rarely mentioned. Lincoln was sick the day he gave the Gettysburg Address. He was sick the day before when he wrote the words. Some told him how pale he looked. Lincoln was sick. He was diagnosed with smallpox when he returned to Washington.

I have a problem. One we all share. Any surge in COVID cases in Key West since Fantasy Fest? I don’t recall reading or hearing anything about it. I asked a medical professional why we have not heard. The response received was that the State and County have basically locked in the information.

Florida’s capital is Tallahassee. In Florida’s far north. Key West a tiny island in in Florida’s far south.

It seems Tallahassee takes Key West for granted. Pays little attention to our problems. And when it does, screws things up. As evidenced by the cruise ship fiasco.

Tallahassee legislators consider Key West a rogue. A wild child. Tallahassee the parent who knows better the needs of its Key West child.

A draft piece of legislation popped up yesterday on the floor of the Legislature. Its title: Abolish Key West.

No one sure where it came from. However its mere existence sufficient warning that the nuts in Tallahassee don’t like us and are not to be trusted.

The draft piece presently circulating is said to have no legal force since not complete.

Whatever, Tallahassee is not to be trusted.

If Rittenhouse is convicted, I believe his conviction will be overturned on appeal and he will get a new trial. The Judge’s rulings and conduct on the bench leave much to be desired.

The Judge may have been on the bench 30 or 40 years. Nevertheless, he has done a lousy job in the Rittenhouse matter. One problem, he appears to be playing to the TV cameras rather than what is before him in the court room.

They drank the “kool-aide” this day in 1978 in Jonestown, Guyana.

Cult leader Jim Jones led hundreds of his followers in a mass murder-suicide. Most of Jones’ followers willingly ingested a poison laced punch. Those who would not do so, were forced.

Nine hundred nine died. One third were children.

Sick.

Enjoy your day!

All of a sudden Christmas has arrived in Key west!

It is the Christmas decorations outside homes. I have traveled. The best home decorations are found in Key West.

Not sure why. I suspect because many came to Key West to live from some other place. Their prior homes were well decorated I am sure. I believe it is the fact many many who have opted to live here miss Christmas back home. There too were homes decorated. Covered sporadically with snow.

Now Key Westers, they want and need a touch of back home. The decorations do it.

Not to be ignored are some of the commercial buildings and their decorations. One especially stands out already this year. The Key West Butterfly and Conservatory on Duval. A beauty.

The outside of the building glitters with the enchantment of Christmas. In a different way.

Santa is without a sleigh. Flys through the sky hanging on to the reindeer pulling him. The reindeer are not reindeer, however. They are  huge blue butterflies.

An unusual but spectacular Christmas rendering.

A day or two ago, I wrote concerning the iguana problem.

Some of our local political leaders must have had the problem in mind also. The Monroe County Commission meets today. One of the agenda items involves the iguana situation. My sense is today’s discussion is not to resolve. It is a beginning. Hopefully to a resolution of the problem.

One which has arisen because of iguana overpopulation. Government at whatever level failed to identify it till now. Probably too late. It is a replica of the overpopulated pythons.

The meeting agenda item is to discuss extermination of the iguana population. They have reached the point where they cause much damage to land and landscaping. And even worse, carry salmonella.

A couple of Citizens’ Voice comments today.

“Poison spreading in Key West during the powerboat races. Confederate flags, homophobic T-shirts and white lives matter T-shirts being sold in the park in Bahama Village.”

Another comment: “An unvaccinated Floridian spreads two things: disinformation and a preventable disease.”

Another comment of interest found in today’s Feedspot concerning hotel rates: “I’ve been visiting Key West for years but can’t recall seeing the kinds of rates I’m seeing right now….wow.”

Harry Truman loved Key West and Key West loves Harry Truman.

On this day in 1946, Truman arrived in Key West to spend his first vacation at the Little White House. He stayed one week.

It was the first of 11 Truman visits which overall totaled 175 days.

Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou last night was one of my better shows. Topics and tone worked well together. Join me some tuesday evening at 9. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou.

This final topic concerns me greatly. It involves school boards, parents and outside forces that want to change American history. A situation which will only take a solitary spark to ignite a roaring wildfire.

The place a school board meeting in Fort Worth Texas on November 9.

One of the parents in attendance was Malikk Austin, an African American. Most of the parents were white. They had been brainwashed by troublemaking dissident Americans to the effect that books and school teaching had to be changed. From their perspective, to reveal the truth. The “truth” being to make kids learn at an early age “lies” about the Civil War and race in general in the U.S.

Rewriting history. Parents had bought the guile that “we have to protect the children.”

Austin spoke out. He said, I have “over 1,000 soldiers ready to go” and they’re going to come back “locked and loaded.” Austin spoke as the pro-critical race activist he is.

He further commented, “For those who got an issue with this critical race theory equity, this is something I fight for, for my children. How dare you come out here and talk about the things that my daddy and my grandparents went through, the lynchings, the oppression, Jim Crow, and my kids are still being affected by this. We are not our ancestors. I got over 1,000 soldiers ready to go.”

Be concerned. Not an idle threat. People of color are being pushed to the wall on the issue. They will retaliate. This is not 1921. It’s 2021.

The problem is nationwide. However as with other things, Texas is one of the States in the forefront to change the teaching curriculum, what children read, etc.

Since Texas is part of the topic at the moment, let me provide a Texas comparison to what could occur. You may think I am far afield. If so, tell me whether you anticipated there ever would be a January 6.

The scenario could turn into another Alamo. As with the Alamo, it will be people of color who will win the battle. Such does not necessarily mean people of color will win the war.  A questionable. However should an Alamo occur, a significant number of whites will be wiped out.

If Texas whites are looking for trouble, they will get it. To the detriment of both blacks and whites.

Enjoy your day!

Flu shot yesterday afternoon. Got it late. I was becoming concerned.

Before the flu shot, I suffered through two bouts of flu every season. Began receiving the shots, no flu since. Twenty years!

It was after 3 when I received the flu shot. I had missed lunch. Decided on a 5 Guys cheeseburger.

As I was waiting for my order, I got my soda and other items I would need. No paper napkins. There was always a huge pile siting next to the condiments. The customer took from the pile any amount he wanted.

When I received my order, I immediately looked inside. There were paper napkins in the bag. As always. Besides the extras by the condiments, napkins always came inside the bag.

I decided to test the waters. Immediately asked the fellow who called the numbers if I could have extra napkins. No problem. He handed me many more than were in the bag.

I was the only customer for a while. Asked the manager why no extra napkins where they used to be. “Paper shortage,” he responded.

Thought about it. Made sense.There continues to be a shortage of toilet paper, paper towels, and paper napkins at the supermarkets. Some shelves empty. Most limit the number that can be purchased.

5 Guys has the problem also and handled it in their fashion.

Felt the shortage situation when I went to fill the gas tank. Gas was $.25 higher than the national average.

Truly amazing. Re gasoline no matter what the situation, it always costs more in Key West. Yet drive 15 miles up Route 1 and the price is $.10-$.15  a gallon cheaper all the way up to Florida City.

Steve Bannon comes and goes. He is back in the limelight. He must be thrilled.He is relevant again.

I sense him to be a revolutionary at heart. His comment in front of the federal court house in Washington yesterday: “We’re taking down the Biden regime.”

I mentioned recently Kyle Rittenhouse’s mother, Sean Hannity, and the purported libel by Biden concerning Kyle. Received a comment yesterday concerning another TV news release re the subject. A more timely one.

The shootings took place August 25, 2020. Biden was being interviewed by CNN’s Anderson Cooper a few days later. Biden in response to a question re the shootings answered: “Look, I don’t know enough to know whether that 17 year old kid – exactly what he did. But allegedly he is a part of a militia coming out of the State of Illinois.”

I watched portions of the  Rittenhouse summations yesterday. My thoughts.

I criticized the Assistant District Attorney for his questioning a few days ago. Absolutely terrible! The parts of his summation I heard were exceptional, however! Surprisingly so. Precise. Joined the facts in a clear understandable manner to the law.

The defense’s summation took a different tack. Emotional.

Good, but not as effective the the prosecution’s.

A lawyer presents an emotional summation when he thinks the facts have gone against his client during trial. The more deliberate summation is where the attorney knows he has a winner.

Will the comparison prove correct when the jury renders its verdict?

NCR published an interesting article this morning titled: “Q and A with Sr. Dorothy Okoli, Transforming Lives of Women Trapped in Prostitution.”

Sister Dorothy is a Missionary Sister of St. John Paul II of Mary. Her order was started by her several years ago. Its work is done in  Anambra County in Nigeria.

Their primary goal is to help young prostitutes.

Sister Dorothy and her group visit hotels to rehabilitate and counsel young women trapped in hotels where they live and work. Their earnings cover the roof over their heads and food. It is financially impossible for the young women to leave.

They are prostitutes due to the lack of care and assistance from their families, the government and society.

The nuns are their last hope.

There is an interesting side story.

I mentioned last week my first love Natalie who became a nun. I had not seen her in 30 years when she showed up at my box at the Carrier Dome.

We chatted a bit. She told me of her work. She and a group of nuns decided there was a place where help was especially needed. She and the group went to New York City. They shed their robes and began wearing everyday clothing. They decided to work Times Square.

In the 1980’s, Times Square was loaded with prostitutes. Young girls. Pimps ruled their lives. Natalie and her fellow Sisters decided to save them.

That was Natalie’s life at the time. Trying to save young prostitutes. The same work that Sister Dorothy is now doing in Nigeria.

My early life was surrounded with nuns. As I got older, I used to think what a waste. Life outside the nunnery had to be much better.

I thought such as Natalie and I spoke. Never spoke my thoughts, of course.

I did however send her a healthy check two days later when I returned to the office.

Evangelical Christians. Especially Evangelical Republican Christians. The worst! They are modern day troublemakers.

The downtrodden and needy receive, if lucky, lip service from them. No economic assistance. The evangelicals of whom I speak depict “social justice as the agenda of Satan.”

They demonize the “social justice” gospel. Twist its words.

The Evangelical Republican Christians are fortunate God will forgive them. God forgives everyone.

I missed Key West’s Veterans Day Parade saturday.

Key West parades of all kinds are the best. Have so been in my 30 years in Key West.

Change is upon us nationwide and worldwide. It has not missed Key West. Our values are being ripped apart.

A Citizens’ Voice comment in this morning’s paper reflects it: “I guess it’s time to move our Veterans Day Parade. It was sad to see the huge groups of drunks, chanting slurs about our Commander in Chief and disrespecting the parade. The powerboat crowd is clearly more important than veterans, so just get on with it and move the parade.”

Tuesday again! Comes rapidly every week. Tonight my blog talk radio show: Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. Join me. I rant and rave about anything that moves me at the moment.

Nine my time. A quick half hour show. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou.

Enjoy your day!

Some arrogant half brained stupid people in the U.S.

A “non-binary” college professor expressed himself re pedophilia. Non-binary is a term for people whose gender identity doesn’t sit comfortably with “man” or “woman.”

The man expressing himself was Allyn Walker, Associate Professor at Old Dominion University. He has called for the “stigma” of pedophilia to be “delegitimized.”

The professor was once a female. Now, a male.

He says the term “minor attracted person” should be used in preference to “pedophilia” because pedophiles might be hurt otherwise. Minor attracted person is “less stigmatizing.”

Walker claims “pedophilia is merely another form of sexual attraction and should be tolerated.”

The professor says he is not a pedophile, but admits to being “queer.”

Well, it is constantly said freedom of expression should exist at the college level. To this extent? There are limits to everything.

Which brings me to pedophilia and the French Catholic Church. The French Church has recently announced it will be selling Church assets to compensate sexually abused victims.

The right thing to do. Those abused have a right to be compensated for the wrong done to them.

The French Church is well heeled. It can afford to sell some of its art, gold, real property, and other assets and investments.

The Catholic Church world wide intentionally remained blind to the wrongdoing for decades. Now, the fiddler must be paid.

The announcement reminds me of the 1968 movie The Shoes of the Fisherman. Anthony Quinn played a Pope.

China was besieged with a starving population. China threatened all out world war to gain food for its starving masses. Quinn as Pope avoided the war by agreeing to sell all of the Catholic Church’s property to help the Chinese and ward off the war.

Closing statements and the Court’s charge today in the Kyle
Rittenhouse case. The matter will go to the jury for consideration late today or first thing tomorrow.

I do not have a feeling as to the outcome. I have not watched enough of the trial to be sufficiently knowledgeable.

There is one item I would like to address, however. One outside the trial itself. One that shows how media can cause twisted information to become part of a case.

A few days ago certain media outlets claimed Kyle’s mother said Biden was going to be sued for libel. The libel being he referred to her son as a “white supremacist.”

She warned Kyle’s attorneys would take care of the matter.

The mother denied Kyle was a white supremacist: “He is not a white supremacist. He is not a racist.”

The situation did not make sense to me at the time. However I did not have time to research it. I finally got to it yesterday afternoon.

The mother’s position came to light in a recent interview of her by FOX News’ Sean Hannity. The incident in which it is claimed Biden defamed her son took place more than a year ago on September 29, 2020.

It involved a comment made by Biden in his debate with Trump the evening of September 29. A portion of Biden’s comments became part of a Biden video at the time which was tweeted. Note again, during the Presidential campaign.

The video included an image of Kyle Rittenhouse carrying an AR-15 rifle with the caption: “There’s no other way to put it: The President of the United States refused to disavow white supremacists on the debate stage last night.”

The comment and video as prepared unrelated to what has been going on in the court room this past week.

A new Cuban revolt festering? Perhaps. A problem. Present revolutionary Cubans lack the money and equipment to wage a revolution.

Yesterday, Cuban exiles in Miami marched and participated in a car caravan in support of Cubans who were to mount a protest today in Havana.

Can Castro’s revolution be overthrown 62 years later?

Syracuse/Drexel basketball yesterday. Syracuse won 75-60. It did not look like Syracuse was a winner at the end of the first half which found Syracuse trailing 33-32.

The second half was another story. Syracuse came out aggressively and outshot Drexel 43-27.

Enjoy your day!

Steve Bannon has been indicted. He appears before a federal judge tomorrow in Washington for arraignment. The arraignment is only the end of the  beginning. Do not expect the criminal case to move with speed unless the judge arranges for it to so move.

The charges are criminal in nature. His case will proceed as all federal criminal cases do. It will be governed by the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure.

If Bannon’s intent is to delay, the Rules provide the many steps he can invoke. It is his right to take advantage of them. Which means under normal circumstances, it will take around 2 years for Bannon’s case to reach the trial stage.

Not to the advantage of the righteous. The good guys will lose out if the case proceeds in the usual fashion.

On the other hand, Bannon likes to talk. He enjoys pontificating. He is happy for the world to know his desire to to see all established governments overturned. From the U.S. to the Vatican. It gives him a kick!

Where am I going? Bannon may not take the steps available to delay. He may want to sit before the January 6 Committee and mouth off his thoughts. Unafraid. The Committee will first have to offer him immunity. Which it would.

The man is a neo-Nazi at heart. Interesting in itself. Recall that Trump’s first wife said Donald kept a book authored by Hitler at his bedside. He read a bit from it each evening at bed time.

Whether Bannon appears is immaterial in one respect. He considers the indictment in itself a “badge of respect.” The way the man thinks.

Thus far it sounds like Bannon will control the procedures/time frame of the charges. The judge however can take control of the case time wise this week.

Two ways.

The judge can “fast track” the case. Move the time for Bannon to exercise his rights per the Rules. Shorten the statutory time tables.

Another way exists. Cases have imposed on them “scheduling orders.” The judge can say ok guys, we are going to wrap all pre-trial procedures up in 2 months fo example. All motions by such and such a date. At the same time, he can schedule the trial for a day certain. A day 2 months hence.

I have a concern. The trial judge is a Trump appointee.

I wonder how many of those indicted in big time federal cases can afford the attorney fees. They are overwhelming! Washington, D.C. is not known to be cheap. Additionally, I am not aware of Bannon’s source of income at the moment. Does he work! Have a job?

He may not have a job. However he does have very wealthy benefactors who believe he is correct in what he is doing to overthrow the government.

Two examples. Guo Wengui and Rebekah Harris.

Wengui is a Chinese billionaire.

Harris is part of the Mercer family. She is a Breitbart heiress.

The January 6 Committee will only be successful if everything moves swiftly. Delay means death to the purposes of the Committee.

A new term has become part of the English language. “Great Resignation.”

It refers to the large number of people who are quitting their jobs and looking for a better one. The number is overwhelming.

In September alone, 4.4 million Americans quit their jobs. Most from the middle class. They learned they were more valuable to employers based on their COVID experiences.

All seek a better job with better pay.

Gas prices have dipped recently. Though not dramatically. They still remain more than $1 higher than at this time last year.

The average cost of a gallon of gas today is $3.41. One year ago, $2.12.

Saturday Night Live did a number on Tom Cruz last night. A Tom Cruz/Big Bird skit.

Cruz deserves no better. His time in the Senate has continually diminished in quality since he took office. Down to debating with Big Bird the most recent example.

CALL ME ISHMAEL!

The opening line to Moby-Dick.

Moby-Dick was published this day 1851. It is considered a great American classic. The Story of Captain Ahab and his quest to catch a giant white whale.

Last night was Syracuse football. Tonight, Syracuse basketball.

May the basketball team do better than the football team did last night. Syracuse lost to Louisville 41-3. Never expected it. Actually thought Syracuse would win. The team was only a 3 point underdog going into the game.

Syracuse’s offense and defense both stunk. That is why Syracuse took the beating they did.

I expect the basketball team will win tonight. One hell of a team!

Syracuse plays Drexel at 5. Syracuse is a 16 point favorite.

I am a bit concerned, however. Syracuse scored 97 points in its opener earlier in the week. Drexel scored in excess of 100 points in its opener.

Enjoy your Sunday!

test

Many countries are offering all sorts of considerations to induce people to get vaccinated. Austria has the best offer. Without question! Whether a male or female is taking advantage of the offer.

Sex is legal in Austria. A manager of sorts must be involved. Sounds like the Austrian government promoted the brothel approach when it decided to legalize prostitution.

Germany legalized prostitution about 10 years ago. Germans were in favor. They rallied to the concept. The reason simple. The government was allowed to tax a prostitute’s earnings.

Whether Austria promoted legalized prostitution for the same reason, I am not certain. Whatever, the activity is legal in Austria.

Coronavirus hit the brothel business badly. Customers were concerned they would get the virus. They stayed away.

COVID is on the uptake at the moment in Austria. The government decided on inducements to motivate people to receive their shots.

Two ways involved.

The first harsh. Any person not vaccinated would be placed in lockdown. Not permitted to leave home. No excuses for doing so accepted. Want to leave the house: Get vaccinated!

The other had its benefits. Brothel owners and the government conferred. A plan was devised to induce customers to visit a brothel.

A vaccination was required. The vaccine shot given when the customer was at the brothel. The men were then offered free sex. A thirty minute visit.

It was anticipated the free sex would induce customers to get the shot and some free sex. Then return as a paying customer on another day.

It’s safe, guys! You got the shot!

Both sides won.

The offer was also available to women. Women are known to frequent brothels, though not in the same numbers as men. It was determined Austrian law required the offer be available to women. Austria’s equality law necessitated it.

The age for male participation was lowered to 14. A one time deal. The shot and sex. Then brothel sex no more till the young man reached the proper adult age.

I took a break while researching this morning. Watched a few minutes of TV. For whatever reason, Turner Classic Movies was running a Popeye cartoon. Eight minutes. Popeye’s girl friend Olive Oyl co-starring.

I have not seen a Popeye cartoon in at least 50 years. More like 75.

When I was a young man (I like the way that sounds), going to the  movies saturday afternoons was the thing. Ages probably between 6 and 12. It was for the young kids.

We did it every saturday. The Family Theater was 2 blocks away. Entrance was $.03. Yes, 3 cents. We are talking 1941-47.

The movie house was always packed. So packed, we were permitted to sit on the steps going up to the stage. Also the floor between the first row and stage. And wherever else management could squeeze us in.

The show routine was the same every week. Two movies. One a crime, the other a western. A serial. A cartoon.

The last time I saw Popeye was one of those saturdays long ago.

A good memory.

Harry Truman loved Key West and Key West loves Harry Truman. The President visited Key West a total of 175 days.

On this day in 1948, the President, his wife and daughter, boarded the Presidential yacht Williamsburg in Key West. They took a one day trip to visit Fort Jefferson in the Tortugas.

This morning’s Key West Citizen in its Keys History section commented about an unusual occurrence that happened on this day in 1954. Something hard to believe.

The note claimed 19.8 inches of rain fell on this one day. Key West streets, cars and homes were flooded.

The inch number I thought might have been in error. I did a quick internet search. Could find nothing special re the weather that day. Such does not mean it did not occur. Merely means I could not locate the source of the information.

Syracuse/Louisville football at noon today. It is already past noon. I have missed the kick off.

Syrace a 3 point underdog.

Should Syracuse win today, its record would be 6-4. Enough for a guaranteed bowl bid.

Enjoy your day!