WHAT BUM FARTO AND GOVERNOR DeSANTIS HAVE IN COMMON

Since Bum Farto disappeared in the 1970’s, people ask :”Bum Farto, where are you?” Today they ask a similar question of Florida’s Governor DeSantis: “Governor DeSantis, where are you?”

The public has not heard from DeSantis since December 17. Except for his immediate staff, no one knows where he is. Most believe he is on vacation with his family.

Whereas Bum Farto never reappeared, DeSantis will. He wants to run for President in 2024.

DeSantis should be in Florida working. COVID-19 is at its worst. Not off somewhere enjoying himself. He is pulling a Senator Cruz. Running of with his family to some tropical paradise following the horrible storm which hit Texas.

Florida’s case load exploded thursday. New cases 77,848. Governor, it is time to come out of hiding. At the moment, Florida needs a governor. As inept as I consider you, Florida needs you! Speak to your constituents! They want to hear from you!

Knock off the disappearing act!

Interestingly, a pic was run yesterday showing DeSantis at a bagel shop in Ocala saying how great the bagels were. Appeared current. Was not. Taken several weeks ago. Typical DeSantis.

DeSantis’ hero is Donald Trump. Understandable. They are birds of a feather. Sort of like “Trumpy see, Trumpy do.” Except in this case, “Trumpy see, DeSantis do.”

This past week Florida ran second to only New York in number of new cases.

Governor, where are you?

You have not had a personal appearance since December 17. As bad as you may be, Floridians are desperate. Looking for leadership. You are that leadership.

Today’s blog is obviously a COVID one.

I continue.

Wednesday reflected another COVID high. Every state in the Union was at its highest level of new cases ever. The day gave birth to 488,000 new cases.

Children. Our children and grandchildren. Omicron has become a tidal wave as far as young ones are concerned. Those infected are being referred to as “omicron kids.”

Dr. Matthew Harris is a New York pediatric emergency room doctor. He spoke regarding the night after Christmas. Thirty young patients came in. Twelve tested positive for COVID-19. Every child with a fever had been infected. Several were babies.

The shocking thing about Dr. Harris’ recitation was when he advised the child Covid cases were the first he had seen in 2 months. Not one positive case in that time.

All infected had an underlying condition such as leukemia.

The following by Dr. Harris shows the seriousness of what he believes awaits our kids: “What’s going to happen 3 weeks from now? These are the sickest kids I have seen in my career.”

Tonight New York City has some problems not considered by many. Thousands of New York Police and Fire Department members are already out sick. Part of the huge number being afflicted by the COVID surge.

On tuesday, 6,600 police officers were out sick. The number represents 20 percent of the police work force. The Fire Department was not much better. The Fire Department’s EMS workers were down 30 percent. Overall, 17 percent of the firefighters were sick.

Two examples of what is going on here in Key West.

We all are beginning to think the booster shot on top of 2 vaccine shots may not be the cure all. Some are personally finding out.

My lesbian wife Donna. Wednesday morning at 3 am she drove herself to the hospital. She was having great difficulty breathing. She was diagnosed with COVID. Given several medications and sent home.

I spoke with her yesterday. She sounded horrible!

Donna is exceptionally religious when it comes to taking care of herself. With Terri’s condition as it is, she must.

Donna had her 2 shots and then the booster.

Donna’s job a precarious one. She is a concierge at one of Key West’s busier hotels. Always wears a mask. She believes she was infected while working.

My grocery shopper is Michelle. She too received 2 shots plus the booster. Called me this morning. She would not be able to deliver my groceries today. She had coronavirus AGAIN.

Michelle had her 2 shots and booster. Then afflicted. COVID! She did her duty by God and country and yet has been infected again.

She told me she woke at 5:30 this morning not feeling well. Tested herself for the virus. She had it. No fever, however. Two hours later at 7:30, she tested again. No question. Two positive results. And her temperature was 101 degrees.

I may never leave home again!

We have heard many crazy things in the past two years. The best example was an injection of bleach to cure the virus.

Many many in our country do not believe the virus even exists. They come up with different “causes” for the spreading roaring illness. Instead of receiving the shots, the simplest way thus far to control getting COVID, they come up with different things to explain the new surge.

COVID does not exist. They are convinced the recent surge is the result of some persons who are spreading anthrax around.

An even better one is earlier this year when deep state non believers claimed it was plutonium which was causing the virus.

And people believe this shit!

Whatever, I am staying in tonight. As I did last New Year’s Eve and the one before. Too much at stake not to do otherwise.

Enjoy your day! Have a safe evening!

COVID SURGE CONTINUES

There is an old Christian tune that begins something like this: “Onward Christian soldiers, marching on to war…..” The world is marching through a war today. The COVID one.

Daily record highs are being set in the U.S. every day. Yesterday, the highest at 265,427.

The previous high was 252,000. One year ago on January 11.

My phone keeps ringing with personal updates. Friends who have had the 2 shots plus the booster. Now have coronavirus.

We have a way yet to go before we can put the COVID problem behind us. I hope the path is a short one, though I doubt it.

It is being described as “airport hell.” An additional 2,000 flights cancelled yesterday. Cause two-fold. Weather and crew shortages.

Got to be absolutely awful. I got stuck overnight years ago in Kennedy. Snowstorm of all snow storms. No motel rooms available. No way of getting to a motel if you could get a room. The snow had traffic all snarled up.

I rolled my coat into a pillow and went to sleep on the floor. Midst many others who had done the same thing.

No fun.

Imagine how bad it must be this Christmas holiday with families. All those young kids.

Former Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid died. A Democrat from Nevada. Regarded as one of the best ever to lead the Senate.

Obama commented Reid helped him get the nomination for President and then helped him again with his legislation. Especially the Affordable Care Act.

May he rest in peace.

Ever wonder how Washington, D.C. came to be? I never did. I doubt many others did also.

Came across the information the other day.

The land for the Nation’s Capital was cut off from Maryland. The year 1788. Maryland passed an act ceding an area “not exceeding ten miles square” to be the seat of the national government.

Two thirds of the area became the Washington, D.C. of today.

U.S. house prices have been surging. Dramatically. It is unclear if the rise is permanent or an aberration.

For a while, I thought house prices rising was common only to Key West and other popular vacation communities. Not so. The trend is evident in many communities, though not all.

In Key West, many buy today to renovate a bit and flip. Making a quick profit. Others to rent their properties as vacation homes by the week or month at exorbitant prices.

The surge is like COVID. Keeps surging.

The rise nationally in October was 18.4 percent. Up from the previous October. September was slightly higher. Up 19.1 percent from the previous September.

The hottest markets were Phoenix 32.3 percent, Tampa 28.1 percent, and Miami 25.7 percent.

Dr. Jack Norris is my primary care physician. They do not come better. He is a great diagnostician. Caring, besides.

The Key West Camber of Commerce annually hands out awards. The Best this and that. A Comment in Citizens’ Voice this morning decried the fact that Dr. Norris had not been selected.

The comment: “I was very surprised that the Chamber of Commerce overlooked Dr. Jack Norris when handing out awards. All through the pandemic he was out there testing people and making house calls whether they could pay or not and providing information how to stay safe. He is truly our hometown hero.”

I agree.

No blog tomorrow. Early morning doctor visit with Dr. Perry. He is dealing with my four trigger fingers on one hand.

The steroid pills are helping. I now have considerable bend. With pain, however. Sometimes extreme. The middle one also continues to lock.

Enjoy your day! Wear your mask!

THE SOCIAL SECURITY LIE

Eight years ago in 2013, I wrote a column entitled The Theft of Social Security. Five years ago, I retitled the column to The Rape of Social Security. At the same time, updated the column where appropriate and added additional reflections.

Today’s blog is the third time I update and publish the Social Security blog. This time titled The Social Security Lie.

My motivations in rerunning the column a third time.

First, I am sick and tired of hearing politicians continuing to cry for the cutting or privatization of Social Security. I am angered by their cries that Social Security is an entitlement increasing the national debt. They make it sound like the elderly are getting something for nothing.

Social Security is not an entitlement. Not one cent of U.S. monies has ever been spent making Social Security payments. Social Security payments come from the paychecks of working people over the course of their lifetimes, with an equal contribution by the employer added on.

I honestly believe that many of our elected representatives do not even know this. They are unaware. They believe the garbage the American public has been fed over the years that Social Security is breaking the back of the economy.

Second, I am aggravated every time one from a younger generation tells me it is not his or her responsibility to support me in my old age. They are totally unaware of where Social Security payments come from and the theft of Social Security’s surplus funds by the government over the years.

Third, Social Security is a very small part of Biden’s Build Back Better plan. The Social Security portion concerns itself with the treatment of lump sum Social Security benefits.

Fourth, some idiot Congressman made the claim a month ago that Social Security would be broke by 2026. No way. A false fact.

All of which compels me to republish my 2013 and 2016 columns. With what I perceive as a strong title also: The Social Security Lie.

October 2013

The U.S. Government has stolen significant monies from the Social Security Trust Fund. Legally, of course.

The theft of Social Security is not understood by many. Even elected officials whose business it is to understand a federal program as large as Social Security. Congressional persons have standard talking points which are not true. They erroneously represent to the American public that Social Security cannot support itself, that Social Security is broke, that Social Security benefits must be cut, etc.

These Congressional persons either know not that of which they speak, or are intentionally misrepresenting the facts.

You will find this column interesting. Guaranteed.

The United States is in debt to the tune of $31.4 trillion dollars. Who is the biggest creditor of the United States? To whom does the United States owe the most money?

If you believe Japan or China, you are wrong. The largest creditor of the United States, the entity the U.S. government owes the most money to, is Social Security. Specifically, its Trust Fund. $2.9 trillion dollars and going up each day. The second biggest creditor is Japan, the third China.. The United States borrows money from Japan and China sometimes on a daily basis. The United States owes Japan $1.26 trillion. China is close behind at $1.01 trillion.

The United States owes Social Security more than twice what it owes Japan and China individually. And more than its combined debt obligation to Japan and China.

Surprising. Shocking.

Social Security is not broken. It has worked well for 81 years. The United States government is broken. Government has been grabbing money from Social Security for years, has never paid a cent back, and from what I can determine, has no plan to pay any money back. It has been made to appear that Social Security is a noose around the neck of the United States economy. The people have been told that Social Security benefits must be cut so the economy may survive. Bunk!

Examine the pertinent facts.

Social Security comes out of every American pay check. An employer contribution added to it. The Government pays not one penny of the monies deposited in the Social Security Trust Fund.

The amount a person pays into the Trust Fund over the course of a working life time is substantially more than the benefit derived. A worker pays into the Fund generally for 40-50 years. The monthly Social Security check received by the senior citizen is peanuts in comparison.

Except for 11 years, Social Security has in every year of its existence taken in more than it has paid out. There is always a surplus. Since 1984, Social Security has taken in more each year than it has paid out.

The monies Social Security pays out include Old Age Retirement Benefits (the monthly check), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, Medicare, Medicaid, SCHIP, and SSI. All out of the Trust Fund. A surplus left over each year besides. Amazing! A terrific program Franklin Roosevelt put in place!

One problem exists. There should be a hell of a balance in the Social Security Trust Fund. Revenues annually are generally more than what is expended. There is no money in the Trust Fund, however. The Government has taken it all. Continues to do so. And never pays a cent back.

The genius for the legal looting of Social Security had its beginnings minimally with President Lyndon Johnson.  President Ronald Reagan and his financial advisor Alan Greenspan  jumped in with both feet.  As did President William Clinton and House Speaker Newt Gingrich.

Bush 2 made no contribution to the formulation of the plan. He simply took advantage of a program already in place. By so doing, he financed significant tax cuts for the rich, paid for the Iraqi War, and funded the 2008 bank bailouts.

The plunder of the Social Security surplus funds had been legalized. The procedure simple. The United States government was allowed to “borrow” the surplus monies. In return, the United States would give the Trust Fund what were termed  “special service non-marketable U.S. Government bonds.”

What are these bonds? Nothing. Non-marketable. They could not be used as collateral for a bank loan. No sane person would buy them. The bonds nothing more than IOUs.

Respectfully stated, good for use as outhouse toilet paper.

A scam

It was thought that if and when things turned adverse for Social Security, the government would redeem these bonds. In effect, pay back Social Security. After all, the commitment of the United States and Congress is to meet the country’s obligations.

The Government’s ability to pay depends on its power to tax and/or borrow. Congress reflects neither past nor present desire to pay. The Government refrains from even discussing these IOUs and their payment.

Where did all this surplus money go? How did certain Presidents and Congress spend the money?  In four areas.

First, to make up for the reduced taxes on the rich. Thank you Bush 2 and Trump. Second, two unpaid wars. Thank you again Bush 2, Obama, Trump, and to a minimal extent Biden. Third, the 2008 bailout of the banks. Thank you Bush 2 and Obama. Finally, other government programs that needed to be funded and for which there might not be sufficient funding without invading the Social Security Trust Fund.

The process again simple. Surplus Trust funds are borrowed by the United States. An IOU is given to purportedly secure repayment. The money goes into the nation’s general fund to help pay for the tax cuts, wars, etc.

Certain economic experts have suggested a simple 30 year program to repay the IOUs would correct the problem and pay off the $2.9 trillion still growing debt.

The real problem is no one cares about paying back. It is the old story of borrowing from Peter to pay Paul. Except, Peter never gets paid back. The Government takes Social Security surpluses and spends them like a bunch of college kids out on a night on the town.

Social Security and Medicare should not be touched in any fashion. Other than to perhaps increase benefits.  Another plan would be for the government to stop immediately removing funds from the Trust Fund. The surpluses would build up rapidly.

This sad scenario makes one wonder whether the Government even cares about the 99 percent. It appears to me that all our elected officials are concerned with are their images and friends. Not for anything or anyone else.

Make the rich richer and the poor poorer.

It seems to be working.

A NEW NAIL IN THE CROSS

The Atlantic reported on 12/26 about Donald Trump Jr.’s recent speech before a group of “young conservatives.” The title: The Gospel of Donald Trump Jr.

Trump told the crowd the teachings of Jesus has “gotten us nothing.” He added “turning the cheek” was holding them back.” In effect saying, “You want to gain more control and the Bible is getting in the way.”

Young Donald’s appearance was described as “both intensely unappealing and uninteresting.”

Donald Jr. representative of another situation where the fruit does not fall far from the tree. Like father, like son.

Donald Sr.’s first wife Ivana reported several years ago that during their married life, her husband kept a book of Hitler’s speeches on the nightstand. The books title My New Order. She claimed he read from it many evenings before falling to sleep.

Trump admitted he had the book. However denied ever reading it.

The former President gives every impression of being an authoritarian fascist. It does not surprise me he may have been a Hitler fan. Probably still is.

Hitler had trouble with the Catholic and Protestant Churches in the 1930’s and during World War II.

The Night of the Long Knives found many Catholics, including priests, being killed.

Dachau was not just a concentration camp for Jews. Catholics were imprisoned there and killed. Dachau in 1940 had a prisoner population of 2,720. Ninety percent were Polish Catholics. Many priests. One thousand priests died at Dachau.

Hitler was not opposed to religion because of its basic beliefs. His concern was that an organized religion provided a foundation group already organized that could at some point seek his downfall.

Hitler’s anti-semitism had nothing to do with Hitler’s concern of Catholics and Protestants. It was a hatred from another source.

Hitler claimed, “Nazism and religion could not co-exist in the long run.”

Goebbels had an inner dislike for Catholic priests. He added that hatred to those he had for Jews.

An interesting historical fact most are unaware of. Hitler and Goebbels were both raised Catholics.

Protestants outnumbered Catholics in Germany. Forty million protestants as opposed to 20 million Catholics.

The German Protestant Church was abused. However no where to the extent the Catholic Church was. The Protestants skillfully knew how to play the game from both sides.

Modern times are no different as far as the Catholic Church and Trump are concerned. Recall for some 2 years while Trump was President, Steve Bannon and Newt Gingrich were working to take down Pope Francis.

Both had offices in the Vatican. Both supporters of the U.S. Conference of Bishops which opposed Francis and continue to oppose him.

Recall also that Trump appointed Gingrich’s wife Ambassador to the Vatican.

The poison spreads Many drink the kool-aid. Trump constantly encourages openly or subtly actions not before accepted as norms. The Christmas cards this year showing family members holding AR-15s and other weapons.

The goal in every instance to destroy established values and replace them with authoritarian ones.

Wake up, my friends. It could happen. Things are 50/50 at the moment. However the ploy could move those few inches to make it work. It almost did January 6.

Enjoy your day!

 

THREE DAYS OF GREAT DINING AT HOME

I thought being alone for dinner this Christmas holiday was going to be a downer. Turned out not to be the case.

The food has been great. The Pope right on. Old TV movies exceptional. Interesting telephone calls with some I have not been in touch with in ages.

The food. So good I should be in solitary for a few more holidays.

Christmas Eve found me the chef. The filet mignon, as prepared by Louis, exceptional.

Christmas Day Lisa brought me left overs from her dinner the night before. For lunch, I had linguine with a great red sauce and Lisa’s home made Xmas cookies. Superior tasting.

Dinner last night were Maine lobster tails. Lisa went all out this Christmas. Outstanding! More Xmas cookies.

Today’s meals yet to come. Sloan my benefactor. She is due to arrive later this morning. Ham (cooked with the bone), potatoes and cobbler. My lunch.

Will begin tonight’s dinner with the rest of Lisa’s linguine. Followed by a shrimp dish specially prepared by Lisa. Tasted a couple cold. Different. Can’t wait to heat and try. Plus, Xmas cookies.

I suspect I will still have leftovers remaining from Lisa and Sloan to pick on over the next couple of days.

Not bad.

A frequent Commenter to the blog suggested I cook stone crabs. A special fit to Key West dining.

I love stone crabs! My favorite food. I have frequently commented over the years if I had a choice for a last meal, it would be stone crabs.

Stone crabs are common to our waters. The season runs 10/15-5/1. They are available to Key Westers all the time.

This season because of my COVID enforced incarceration, I have only had them once. Normally, once every 2-3 weeks.

The commenter suggested I cook stone crabs for New Year’s. No way then or ever.

They are so easy to purchase. Cooked, cold and shell skillfully crushed. Stone crabs can also be served warm. I had them, once. Do not recommend it. The flavor is gone.

I have enjoyed stone crabs so much over the years that on a few occasions I had frozen stone crabs flown from Key West to Utica. Invited 8-10 “lucky friends” and we pigged out.

Came across an interesting proverb this morning: “A merry heart doeth good like medicine.” Proverbs 17:22.

Cold during the night again. High today will be only be 71. Which means cold. The rest of the week will be in the high 70’s.

I feel sorry for the tourists when the weather is not the best. They come for sun and fun.

They know how to make up for it, however. Pick a bar and remain at it all day into the night. Eat oysters and drink. Before long, you and everyone around you become one happy family. As it is under normal circumstances in Key West.

Some COVID updates.

Florida achieved new record numbers for thursday and friday last week. The data is based on information forwarded by the State to the CDC.

Thursday Florida reported 31,758 new cases, friday 32,850.

Florida’s one day previous high was 27,614 in August when delta swept the State.

Florida’s positivity rate rose also in the one week time frame by 13.8 percent. The top 4 counties contributing to the rise included in the #4 position Monroe County. Our County. Up 15.3 percent. Note even higher than the State’s increase.

The surge is here in Key West. At least for last week. Why was it not reported by local news outlets? I discovered the information on a Google news item which had nationwide coverage.

Whatever, we must thank Gov. DeSantis at the very least. He has been trying to keep infection information down. He fears the truth.

Though he discouraged vaccinations, it appears he himself might have received even the booster shot. He was interviewed on TV last week and asked twice if he had received a booster shot. Each time he weasled and failed to answer the question.

The surge is evident throughout the country. Hospitals are overburdened.

Two Maryland hospitals examples of the problem. Each has declared health care a “disaster” due to the rising coronavirus tide. The hospitals are the University of Maryland Upper Chesapeake Health and the Hartford Memorial Hospital.

Between the two hospitals, COVID cases are up 458 percent thus far this month alone.

One hospital official said, “The demand for our services has outstripped our resources, which includes staffing.” He said “burnout” and “moral distress” are fueling the staff shortages.

Another administrator said and what I consider an important item in hospital overcrowding, “Between 75-80 percent of patients admitted to the hospital because of COVID-19 infections have been unvaccinated.”

One of the regular doctors appearing on MSNBC is Vin Gupta. I have watched him for more than a year. His COVID reports clearly stated. He calls them as he sees them.

Dr. Gupta has called for hospitals to deny medical assistance and care to anyone who remains unvaccinated against COVID. He said, “Any unvaccinated person requiring medical attention should be last in line…..How do we rank – order that priority? We do it for organs, kidneys, livers, and lungs. We say ‘Did you smoke? Did you drink recently?’ If you did, you’re lower on the list even if you need it. We need to start thinking of that model.”

Back to Harry Truman again. Harry Truman loved Key West and Key West loves Harry Truman.

The President died this day in 1972.

One of our greatest Presidents.

Key West and the President are closely allied because of Truman’s love for Key West. He spent 11 working vacations totaling 175 days in Key West while President.

Enjoy your day!

I COOKED CHRISTMAS EVE DINNER

I was alone last night. Fear of COVID kept me in. Rather than a sandwich, I wanted a meal. Something special.

I decided to prepare the meal myself.

I have been a bachelor for 15 years. Never did real cooking before the divorce nor since. If it can’t be microwaved or fried, I do not cook.

Decided to go for it last night.

Bought a filet mignon and frozen hash brown potatoes.

The oven was out of the question. Four years in this house and still have not used it. Needs a cleaning besides.

Tidbits of cooking wisdom have come to me this past year from Cocktails at Seven’s Cathy in Seattle. I went to cooking school with her yesterday afternoon.

Ok to pan fry the steak. A bit of oil and enough butter to to cover a piece of toast. Mix together while heating. Then comes the steak.

I read on the internet that medium was 130 degrees. I bought a thermometer. Cooking time 2-3 minutes a side.

Followed instructions precisely.

In spite of being my first self cooked meal, it was terrific. Not the 7 fishes. An excellent substitute, however.

I saved a considerable amount of money also. A filet mignon in any of the finer Key West restaurants runs in the $60-70 range. With the hash browns costing extra.

Though I drink no more, I even enjoyed a Beefeaters on the rocks before dinner.

Dessert was to be ice cream. Too full.

Opted for a cup of tea and…..You’re not going to believe this. I love Oreos. I enjoyed 4 Oreos with the tea.

I was proud of myself. Cathy was proud of me.

I will eat well again today. Lisa is dropping off last night’s meal. One item was Maine lobster. I shall enjoy cold Maine lobster tail and whatever she brings over.

I wanted to watch Midnight Mass on TV. Stayed awake. Watched Pope Francis celebrating Midnight Mass at St. Peter’s.

The mass well done this year. Francis obviously did the entire service in Latin. There was a soft spoken translator a few seconds behind him who softly translated Francis’ words into English. Made a huge difference in watching.

One negative, however. I have been doing midnight masses since I was in late grammar school. All long. Last night’s seemed extra long. The service took 1 hour 15 minutes.

The Citizens’ Voice spoke this morning: “Wow! Had a chance to go to Marathon and gas is $3.35 everywhere. Key West is 30 percent more and so close.”

I have found even where there is no gas shortage, Key West is significantly more expensive than the rest of the Keys till Florida City is hit.

New York Times columnist Eugene Robinson recently described the January 6 attackers as “an organized rabble.” Fitting words.

Robinson and his wife generally spend the month of January in Key West. I hope they are here again in the new year. Robinson walks around town. Talks with everyone. Gives some lectures. His wife is an artist. She spends a month painting at Studios of Key West.

I left home a few days ago for a manicure and pedicure at Tammy’s. Wore two masks to be safe.

A 40ish woman came in. Well known to Tammy and her husband Rick. She was near me. She told Rick she had 2 Moderna shots and Pfizer for a booster. She came down with COVID. Said it was no big deal and passed after a few days.

I get more confused each day. Three shots and people still are getting infected. Not complaining nor being critical. Merely making an observation. The virus overall is new and the whole world is fighting it like hell. Eventually the wonders of modern science will have the problem under control.

Just the News reported on an article CNBC carried on tuesday re fraud involving pandemic relief funds: “Nearly $100 billion has been stolen from pandemic relief funds, according to the Secret Service.”

Stolen money diverted from the Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program, Economic Injury Disaster Loan program, and a third program created to issue unemployment assistance funds.

So far over $2.3 billion has been recovered. Roughly 100 persons have been arrested.

The government has released $3.5 trillion in COVID-19 relief money since the pandemic began in early 2020.

The Secret Service reported a new national pandemic fraud recovery coordinator has been appointed to oversee the agency.

The new coordinator is Assistant Special Agent in Charge Roy Dotson. He told CNBC: “I’ve been in law enforcement for over 29 years and worked some complex fraud investigations for 20 plus years, and I’ve never seen something at this scale.”

Repeating myself again, Harry Truman loved Key West and Key West loves Harry Truman.

Over the years, I have read many books on Harry Truman. Some were clear that Bess was a difficult woman. She made Harry’s life miserable on many the occasion.

Some have described her as a “mean lady.” The President called her “boss.”

Bess wanted to know everything going on in Truman’s work, both before the Presidency and after. She considered herself an unofficial adviser to her husband. Their relationship developed to where Bess reviewed and commented on Harry’s work at the end of every day.

Daughter Margaret Truman wrote a book about her mother titled: Bess W. Truman. One portion involved her father’s order to drop the atom bomb. The news took Bess by surprise. Her husband had not shared it with her beforehand.

Margaret reported this made her mother feel like “a spectator rather than a partner in Harry Truman’s Presidency. That made her very, very angry.”

She immediately packed her bags and went back to Independence.

Margaret indicated her mother felt “she should have known about Harry’s decision to drop the bomb.”

Even President’s have marital woes.

Bess was Anti-semitic.

In 1961, David Susskind conducted a series of interviews with the former President in Independence. Susskind picked the President up every morning at his home and drove him to the Truman Presidential Library for several days.

Susskind asked the President why he had not been invited into Truman’s home. Truman replied: “This is Bess’s home” and there had never been nor would there ever be “a Jewish guest” in the house.

Enjoy your Christmas day!

 

T’WAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS…..HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO ALL AND TO ALL A GOOD-NIGHT

Christmas Eve Day. Santa’s on his way.

Blog short this morning. One of those mornings where everything is going wrong. Nothing serious. A big pain, however.. It is 10:30 as I start the blog. I have been trying since 7.

Observed something yesterday that was scary. Very.

I was in the golf course complex driving to my home. All of a sudden I saw a baby running around crazy. Looked like a little girl. One to one half years old. Clad in only a diaper. Barefoot. Long curly blond hair.

Running around screaming on the road, grass and into and out of the woods.

A man was chasing her slowly. Everytime he got close, she screamed louder and took off in another direction. Obviously not her father. A good samaritan, however.

I stopped. As I did an SUV coming in the opposite stopped and everyone got out. All running towards the child. Obviously the baby’s family.

By this time, I had to move on. I did so with a sense of relief.

What a horrible feeling for the parents. Somehow the child found a way out. She will never be out of their sight for years to come.

I have shared in recent days happy Christmas stories from my past. Today, though funny a not so happy one.

The children were young. We were living in our first home. I had built on a large family room. Forty feet by 20.

It was where the Christmas tree stood.

One thing I disliked was trimming the tree. Refused to do it. I left the headache to my wife and children. They enjoyed it.

It was a saturday morning. I was home alone. Wife and children off somewhere doing something Christmas.

The tree was in one corner of the room. I sat in an easy chair on the other reading the morning paper.

The tree was large width wise. Probably 8 feet height wise. Loaded with bulbs and lights.

Out of the corner of my eye, I thought I saw the tree move. It was. Slowly bending getting ready to fall. I leaped for the tree. We met in the center of the room. My right hand successfully grabbed the trunk.

Everything still intact on the tree. For whatever reason, I could not push it back up in place. I needed help. The telephone was 15 feet on the other side of the room. No way could I reach the phone without the tree going down.

There was no way to call anyone for assistance.

I stood there holding the tree with one arm for two hours. First laughing. It was funny. However as time moved on, it became a pain.

Finally after two hours, my wife and children came home. The first thing my wife did was shout at me: “What did you do?” I think that question began the road to my divorcing her 40 years later.

A visit from St. Nicholas. Otherwise known as T’was The Night Before Christmas. I close today’s blog with the last line from the poem: “Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night.”

Enjoy the day!

 

TO WIN YOU MUST FIRST BE A LOSER

Van Gogh sold only one painting during his lifetime.

On this day in 1888, suffering from severe depression, he cut off part of his left ear with a razor. Today, Van Gogh masterpieces sell for record breaking prices.

A quote attributed to Van Gogh’s life: “Success is sometimes the outcome of a whole string of failures.”

Some must wait till after death to be appreciated. Others, during their lifetime.

The overall point being made is that most have to first lose before becoming a winner.

Failures reveal to a person their wrongs so next time they will not be repeated.

I know. I lost my first 13 trials. Learned. Then became a winner on the road to a successful career.

The Vatican has reaffirmed its support of COVID-19 vaccines reiterating Pope Francis’ insistence that getting vaccinated is “an act of love.”

A Citizens’ Voice Comment to the point: “The planet Earth has a holding capacity and so does Key West. Too many people means bad quality of life for all. It’s not whether rich or poor, it is whether they are about our custom and environment.”

The tune…..”The weather outside is frightful.”

There is snow in many parts of the U.S. Never in Key West.

Cold, however. Sixty during the night. When I opened the front door at 8 this morning to see if a package had arrived, I was greeted not with a blast of hot air. Rather a cold one. It was 64 degrees. The high today will only be 70.

The beginning of winter for us southern folks.

Enjoy the day before the day before Christmas!

I SEE HIM! IT’S SANTA CLAUSE!

Love Christmas!

Did some past Christmases remembered last night on Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. Christmas Eve dinner, the seven fishes, the big people’s table, the way to the big table, the years involved, watching my father and mother grow old, etc. A pure family evening.

I am going to open this morning with Christmas Eve at my Utica home before dinner. Grew to 20-30 people.The number depended what year. Dinner first began with my wife, 4 small children and my parents. Over the years it grew as my four children married and their spouses joined us. Then came the grandchildren..

I was a soft touch for the holiday. Santa Claus always visited prior to dinner. On his sleigh of course drawn by his reindeer.

My children and grandchildren were believers. Santa Claus knew them intimately. Only used 2 Santas over the years.

The dining room to our home was huge. A large old house built in 1922. The rooms expansive. Ceilings 10 feet.

The dining room especially large. Huge table seating 12 comfortably. Fourteen a little tight.

One wall was was a bay window. The whole wall. It overlooked the backyard. All kinds of trees and shrubs galore. All strewn with bright colored lights.

The young kids would wait at the window looking out for Santa Claus to arrive. His sleigh was always to land on the pool. However each year he was not able to do so because the pool was not iced up enough. He would land up the road on a flat hard piece of ground and walk in.

It was grandchildren time.

Sara was my son John’s oldest. All of 6 or 7.

All of a sudden Sara shouted, “I see him! It’s Santa Claus!” The rest of the children began yelling, “I see him, too!

They were all looking at the sky and believed they had seen Santa pass over as he flew in.

The innocence and beauty of youth.

Those days are gone. Just as the seven fish meal. Each family as it develops creates their own holiday and tradition.

A cold wave must have moved in last night. The night temperature was in the high 60’s. Tonight predicted to be 64. Heat time!

Trump announced he is having a rally on January 6 to explain it was not a coup attempt. I am sure he will utter many lies.

It is shameful Trump selects one of the worse days in American history to return and swirl his pot of tripe. Actually, he is trying to whitewash his involvement. He senses the noose getting tighter as to his knowledge, participation, his cohorts, etc.

January 6 does not belong to him. It belongs to the American people. It will be the same as if the Japanese had returned on December 7, 1942 to explain they had not intended to attack Pearl Harbor, it was a mistake.

Massachusetts continues to be buried by the surge.

Boston has banned the unvaccinated from bars, restaurants, gyms, theaters, and sport arenas.

Boston Mayor Wu made the announcement yesterday. As she was making the announcement, a group of protesters flowed in shouting “USA, USA!”

Every indication throughout the country clearly indicates the surge is greatest where there are many unvaccinated. It is primarily the unvaccinated who are getting sick and requiring hospitalization. Overwhelming hospital beds and medical staff.

There is still only one set of simple rules to follow to avoid the surges: Get 2 shots initially and then the booster shot, wear a mask indoors and outdoors, and avoid large gatherings.

Fail to do so and many will continue to get sick, some dying.

Why can’t the know it alls understand this? Such obstinacy, such stupidity.

My Key West Christmas Eves are at Lisa’s. Spoke with her yesterday re who was going to be there.

Lisa, Corey, Robert and Ally. Her in laws from Cape Coral. Corey’s son Cameron and girl friend who live in Washington, D.C., and Cameron’s mother Myra who lives in Big Pine.

As I feared. Too many people from too many places. Who would know if anyone carried the virus with them. Lisa explained all had the booster shot. She further explained they all planned on testing in the morning to see if anyone was affected.

I apologized and said again I would not be there. I am 86 and fearful  I might contract COVID. I further made her aware of the 3-4 times a week I am getting severe chest pains. Doctor says don’t worry. They are on the left side. Heart attacks have pain are on the right.

I worry.

In addition, I continue to have this painful 4 trigger fingers on my right hand. Doctor said he never saw a person with 4 trigger fingers on one hand.

Makes me worry even more.

Lisa understood. She’ll send a dish of her holiday cooking to me on Christmas Day.

Stay safe.

Enjoy your day!

 

BIDEN SPEAKS TO NATION TONIGHT RE COVID SURGE

The surge is on. In ascendency. Not yet having reached its high.

The country is in trouble.

Biden is speaking to the issue tonight on national television.

The problem is real. Some medics are unabashedly saying…..Get vaccinated or die! Dramatic, yet will be true for many people.

Data the past few weeks shows red counties are swamped with COVID cases, many in the hospital, and a number dying. Whereas, the blue counties have been experiencing low surges with fewer hospitalizations and significantly fewer dying.

The blue counties success is attributable to Democrats being more prone to get vaccinated. Whereas, the Republican red counties don’t believe in the shots.

My booster shot time was in November. I got it. I am a believer.

My first two shots were Moderna. It was advertised by Moderna that only a half shot of Moderna was required as a booster. Pfizer and other vaccine producers said the whole shot.

Moderna claimed the post injection ill affect would be significantly less or not at all with the half dose. A full Moderna dose was not required.

It was possible to switch to Pfizer for the booster.

I spoke with my doctor and he said not to worry. Ok to go with Moderna’s half dose.

I did.

Now a surge upon us. I am sorry I did not go with the Pfizer booster.

Trump continues his lying ways.

He spoke before a Dallas crowd of his people sunday night. He proudly claimed he had received his booster shot. The crowd booed him. He then went on to tell the crowd that he saved 10 million lives because of the way he had the three major vaccines developed during his administration.

His claim would never survive a fact check.

Governor DeSantis another two face.

He was asked in an interview this weekend if he had received a booster shot. He hemmed and hawed. Asked a second time, he continued to avoid responding.

A clear indication that he had his ass covered with all 3 shots at the same time that he has been down playing the use of vaccines. A whore!

The DOW dropped 433 points yesterday. Economist attribute the drop to what the business world believes will be omicron’s impact on the world’s economy and the shelving of Biden’s Build Back Better plan.

Recall how Trump yelled and screamed about the need for the border wall. Billions were appropriated to build it. Very little was built.

The metal polls sit in neat piles along the border. Unused. Recall also that Trump took some of the wall money and sent it to Afghanistan to help their war effort.

It was announced over the weekend that “Trump’s big border wall” now is a “pile of rusty steel.”

Trump has brought his second suit against New York’s Attorney General to have the civil lawsuit against him thrown out. He tried earlier in the year when the court said he had no grounds and dismissed his case.

Trump has come up with new grounds. I am not sure what.The case has been filed in Federal Court in the Northern Dictrict of New York in Albany. I assume for jurisdictional reasons since the Attorney General’s official office is located in the State Capital in Albany.

If the new case is not thrown out of court for legal reasons, a motion will be made by the Attorney General to move the trial to New York City.

There is a rule in the law referred to as “for the convenience of witnesses.” If a large number of witnesses in a case live many miles from where the case was sued, the court on application made will move the case to a venue where it will be easier for the witnesses to attend.

Tuesday again. Time for my blog talk radio show Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. Nine my time. A quick moving half hour.

Join me. My Manchin comments alone are worth the time. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou.

Enjoy your day!