A comment in Citizens’ Voice this morning: “The traffic on this island is insane.”

Who am I to argue? Truth is truth. Fact, fact.

Thirty years ago my decision making process was down to two different communities where I would buy my vacation home which in time would be my retirement home. Naples and Key West.

One reason Naples lost out was the traffic. Horrendous!

At the time, traffic was so minimal in Key West that the question would arise…..What traffic? Traffic was sedate as was Key West’s life style.

Key West won.

The tune…..What a difference a day makes, etc. In this instance, thirty years. Key West traffic abominable. Its lifestyle anything but sedate.

The old way was better.

It is becoming apparent Key West and its adjoining communities have become home to a pagan motorcycle gang. The Sheriff’s Department has arrested its third member this year.

In 2019, there was an indication a pagan group was on the rise. First indication was a Facebook comment by a Big Pine member of the pagan motorcycle gang. He wrote, “Sons of the Fire God are coming to a neighborhood near us.”

Gas prices are the highest in Florida since 2014.

Recently, gas prices jumped $.12 in one week. Twelve cents again the following week. A total of $.24 cents a gallon in 2 weeks.

Last week, the average per gallon cost in the State was $3.47. Expected to go higher.

The price of crude rose $6 last week. Expected to soon rise to over $90 a barrel.

If this upward move is sustained, it is expected to trigger a $.15-.20 hike in coming weeks.

The irony, joke, in all this is whereas the State’s average presently is $3.47 a gallon, Key West’s is $4.25.

Things never change!

The Ottawa truck convoy situation has completed its first week. Still going strong.

Havoc and chaos taking over. Authorities have wasted no time labeling what is occurring while deciding how to handle the problem overall.

The Ottawa Mayor said, “This is a nationwide insurrection.”  He declared a State of Emergency” declaring the truck convoy an “occupation.”

Good show! Call it for what it is right away. No pussy footing aound.

The Police Chief immediately recognized the problems confronting the police in how to deal with the truck convoy saying local law enforcement was “never intended to deal with a city under siege.” He further decried the lack of resources and legal authority to disperse the protest.

The overall situation is reported to be “mayhem.”

The trucks are jamming blocks and blocks of streets curb to curb. They have not moved since arriving. The trucks have taken on an image of a city within a city.

They appear to have settled in for the long haul. Food and water in limited supply. Fuel desperately. It is winter in Ottawa. Snow covers the trucks and streets.

Normally, the tractor portion can be kept warm by running the truck’s motor. A problem has developed. Trucks are running out of fuel. The City has passed a law prohibiting fuel being brought to the trucks in any fashion. The law went into effect 2 nights ago.

Arrests have already been made of those seeking to bring in fuel. The police have even begun making arrests for any breaches of law covered.

It appears from videos and investigation that January 6 was a day of violence. The new politics of violence.

Republicans refuse to accept the fact.

The most recent example being the body of the instrument upon which Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger were censured last week by the National Republican Party. Its wording referred to January 6 as “legitimate political discourse.”

How can purportedly responsible people refuse to see the truth surrounding the day? Sewer politics at its worst.

We live in a world today where information, entertainment, etc. is readily available via TV, radio and the internet. There was a time such was not so. In fact, the radio was a big thing.

Such evidenced by the notoriety then and historically today that on this day in 1922, President Warren Harding had a radio installed in the White House.

Tonight my blog talk radio show. Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. Join me at 9 my time for a fast moving half hour show. I rant and rave about everything. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou.

Enjoy your day!

There was a time I took golfing trips. Twice to play Pebble Beach.

By this time, everyone has seen the video of Jordan Spieth’s second shot on hole 8. The one from the edge of a very high cliff over an expanse of water way below to a green on the other side.

He was crazy to even attempt the shot. His swing could have carried him forward and down into the rocks and ocean below.

His next round would have been playing with Arnold Palmer on the cloudy course above.

Let me tell you of my experience playing hole 8 and also hole 7.

I start with an undeniable fact. I was the world’s worst golfer. Took only one lesson and never practised. I played once or twice a week. I did it because I enjoyed the camadreship, nature’s beauty, and hole 19.

My handicap was 35. Never enough. I usually shot 135. Never was I ashamed. We played for money. My friends always had to give me strokes. Most were in the area of 10 handicappers. The strokes evened things out.

We went to California to play Pebble Beach. A wonderful experience! The course the most beautiful and most difficult I ever played. Television is not able to do justice to most of the holes.

Hole 7 a par 3. The tee standing alone on a high windy hill. Straight down, the green a tiny appendix to the land. Surrounded by a few small sand traps, and the ocean on 3 sides.

The wind atrocious. Could blow you off the tee.

My 3 companions were all excellent golfers. They were concerned about the wind above. Decided I should hit first so they could figure it out. I took it as an insult, but said nothing.

My shot never made it up up and away. I topped the ball.

It skidded down the narrow fairway, hit a few rocks and ran through a sand trap onto the green. I was thrilled. I was on.

My smart aleck friends all put their lofty drives way up in the air and into the ocean.

I smiled and walked away saying nothing.

Next hole #8. The most difficult hole I ever played anywhere.

A par 4. Your drive is up a hill. Not high. However high enough so you can’t see where your ball will land. A par 4. The area wide enough so wherever your ball landed, it would be safe.

No one in my four some hit as far as Spieth did to the edge of the cliff. It took me two shots to hit where my buddies hit their drives.

Permit me to describe what our eyes beheld. Where our next shots were intended to be hit.

A long high cliff. U shaped. Halfway down on the other. The cliff looked to me to be a 100 plus feet. The news this morning reports it as 70 feet.

The cliff straight down. Reminded me of the cliffs in Santorini, the cliffs of Dover, and those in Wuthering Heights. I expected to hear Heathcliff calling Cathy.

The distance from where we were to the green on the other side  impossible to hit over. Wide! Between the two, the roaring ocean below.

There was a safe way. You could hit to the left. There was a fairway for golfers like me. A huge hairpin curve. Two to three shots to the green.

We all opted to go for the green over the roaring waters below. I knew I would never make it across. However, hope springs eternal.

I went into the water. As did 2 others. However one made it. A 10 handicap. We were all thrilled for him!

Some background information re the course.

I last played Pebble Beach at least 30 years ago. Cost then for a round $175. Can imagine what it would be now.

The course was used 10 months a year as a money maker. Everyone wanted to play Pebble Beach.

The course was a mess. In terrible shape. A disgrace.

I learned later that the owners let hackers like me enjoy. Their cash flow had to be fantastic. However 2 months before the big tournament, the course was closed down. No one played it. Pebble Beach was brought back to its pristine beauty. That is what you saw on TV yesterday.

No carts were permitted on the course. The concrete paths ran along one side of a fairway. Had curbs on both sides so it was next to impossible to drive a cart onto the fairway. You had to carry your clubs that you thought might be needed to your ball and then back to the cart. A lot of work!

We had lunch one day at the Pebble Beach Club Room. As beautiful as the course. Dark panelling. Maroon leather chairs and benches. The food befitting a place such as Pebble Beach.

It is exciting each year to watch the tournament on television. I can recall about 12 of the holes I played. Each time I excitedly say in my mind: You were there, you played that hole!

Enjoy your day!

The lessons George Floyd’s death taught the Minneapolis police. Changes were made. Changes that were to limit police error in the future.

One area corrected were no-knock search warrants. New rules for the police to follow in conducting no-knock raids. The rules were to “heavily restrict” their use. Supposedly were to be limited to “high risk circumstances.” Specified as a “high risk circumstance” were “circumstances like hostages.”

The new rules went into effect November 2020.

Last wednesday, a no-knock raid was conducted. At a Minneapolis house where 22 year old Amir Locke was sleeping on a couch. The new rules require the police to announce their presence and purpose prior to entering. They did not in this instance.

Other rules were violated as will be delineated. One “old rule” not frequently observed involved police video cameras be turned on and working. They were in this raid.

The raid occurred in the night time. The police announced themselves only after they broke into the house without knocking.

Amir Locke was not the name on the search warrant. He was not the man the police were looking for.

The police shouted “search warrant” only after they were in the house.

Locke was wrapped in a blanket asleep on a couch.

Note everything being share is reported to be on the video cameras.

A police officer yelled at Locke who was asleep: “Get on the ground!” Followed by: “Show me your hands!”

A waking Locke is startled, begins to move around still lying on the couch, and at some point he grabs at a gun to defend himself.

Locke never had a chance to defend himself. He was moving around on the couch when he grabbed the gun. At that point the police unloaded a volley of shots into Locke killing him.

The police never told Locke to put the gun down.

The police report indicates Locke pointed the gun at them. Videos indicate otherwise. They also show Locke’s finger was not even on the trigger and he was using gun safety by keeping his finger straight ahead off the trigger.

Locke had no criminal record and his gun was legally owned.

One of the attorneys who represented the Floyd family has been retained to represent Locke’s family.

My weekly grocery order was delivered this morning. Half my order. Half the items ordered were not available. I order basically the same things every week. The shortage this week indicates to me things are getting worse and not better in solving the supply problem.

The New York Times reported this morning what will occur if Russia invades the Ukraine. As many as 50,000 will be killed. A refugee problem will occur immediately causing a crisis that will affect all of Europe.

If memory proves correct, this is the first time I am significantly commenting on the Ukrainian situation.

Even when Russia had reached 130,000 troops, I find it difficult to believe Putin would say “go!” I have consistently felt Putin has been playing a bluffing game.

For certain reasons.

Putin does not want a war. The Russian people have enough problems without a war of the magnitude the Ukraine would immediately turn into. Russia is suffering serious economic and coronavirus problems comparable to the rest of the world. Public support would be lacking.

Putin’s popularity has been diminishing in recent years. He has organized opposition in Russia. Could place him in a precarious position re staying in power.

The final and most worrisome problem is a nuclear disaster. It could occur depending who ends up fighting who.

I worry about NATO. Would NATO stand strong? Germany continues to make negative noises. Germany is dependent on Russia for a large percentage of its gas and oil needs.

If Germany does not fight, NATO is dead. In spite of all the noise Germany is making, they have no choice but to join the battle with other NATO forces. Otherwise, Putin will have them “by the balls” thereafter.

France another problem. They have always been a problem. Even at the beginnings of World War II.

Biden is playing the situation well to date. If Biden sanctions Russia economically, the Russian people will shortly thereafter be demonstrating in the streets.

Biden has told Putin the U.S. will sanction him personally. Such would not make Putin a happy camper.

Another tool Biden has is to take Russian gas lines and make them immobile. Half of Europe including Russia, would suffer economic woes as a result thereof.

No disrespect intended, I believe certain southern states are still fighting the Civil War. Texas an example. Mississippi another.

Mississippi’s Republican Senator John Kennedy is upset Biden will be nominating a black woman to the Supreme Court bench. He claims such a pick will not know “a law book from a J. Crew catalogue.”

He happens to sit on the Judiciary Committee which is involved in the advice and consent process.

I came across an interesting quote today: “The smallest deed is better that the grandest intention.” Sort of like: “The road to Hell is paved with good intentions.”

Enjoy your Sunday!

I went out last night. First time in several months.

Oh, what a time it was!

Broke my quarantine. For a good reason. My good friends the Reardons rented a house for January and February. I finally capitulated and agreed to go out.

The Reardons hail from Skaneateles, New York. A few miles outside of Syracuse. A very affluent community.

The Reardons owned a restaurant for many years in Skaneateles. Sold it 2 years ago. Deservedly enjoying life more now.

I had one condition. We had to dine outside. They are aware how fanatical I have been about COVID.

I was able to get a last minute reservation at The Reach. Its new restaurant. Probably 2 years old.

Turned out to be an excellent choice. We were able to get a table on the porch. Interestingly whereas in past days when I had dinner there, only a portion of the porch was used for dining. Now, the entire porch. Business obviously booming. The place was packed.

The food the best. Quality wise and price wise. No different than any other top restaurant in Key West. Dinner prices astronomical. In the $50 range. Cheaper than some. Yet still on the high end.

I was the host. Thrilled to pay the bill. Self quarantining, I spend no money. I frequent neither bars nor restaurants. The bank account builds.

I enjoyed fish ‘n chips. A huge yellowtail deep fried. Everything but the head. Outstanding!

Even snuck in a drink. One over a 4 hour period and did not finish it.

The company was as good as the meal, if not better. I enjoyed being with the Reardons again.

There are those who are suicide prone. Drink the kool-aide. I refer to the Republican Party. They continue signing their own death warrant.

It is like the Party wants to die.

It added another nail to the coffin yesterday. The Republican Party voted to censure Liz Cheney and Alan Kinzinger. Two Republicans who were not afraid to call January 6 for what it was and recognize Trump’s involvement.

The two are the only Republicans sitting on the January 6 Committee. None others wanted to participate on the side of democracy, truth and justice.

The Party announced that by the vote it will “cease all support” of the two anti-Trump lawmakers.

I am confident the censure bothered neither Cheney nor Kinzinger. It represents their badge of courage.

The public is aware Trump is under scrutiny by authorities in New York, Atlanta, and Washington,D.C. He may have to deal with indictments.

Trump has to have a concern. He reflected such at his January 29 rally in Texas. Trump called on his supporters to stage mass protests against law enforcement officials in New York, Atlanta, and Washington, D.C. who are examining whether he broke the law,

Trump described the prosecutors involved as “radical, vicious and racists.”

Authorities in the cities mentioned are taking Trump at his word and preparing for such protests. They are preparing for violence and chaos.

The job numbers for January were better than expected. Four percent.

I find it difficult to understand why so many knock Biden claiming he is doing a lousy job. He has not delivered on all his promises yet. However, his record thus far is outstanding. Note also he has only been President one year. He still has three more years to add to his successes.

People should stop listening to far right Republican lies.

Super Bowl is big money in many respects. One is the cost of advertising during the show. Some 30 second ads will cost as much as $7 million.

The U.S. has crossed 900,000 COVID deaths.

Syracuse plays Louisville at 2 this afternoon. The game will be carried on ESPN2. I look forward to watching it. No predictions. I have given up. I am a fan who merely “hopes.”

Enjoy your day!

The Last of the Mohicans was published this day in 1826. A romantic novel set during the French and Indian War. The book was written by one of the world’s most famous and respected authors of his time, James Fenimore Cooper.

The novel described by many as a “masterpiece” is Volume 2 of the Leatherstocking Tales.

The blog today is primarily about James Fenimore Cooper and the novel. I write about both due to the close familiarity I have had over the years with Cooperstown.

James’ father William Cooper was the founder of Coopersville. Today, known as Cooperstown. He was a man of wealth. Spent some years in the U.S. House of Representatives representing the Cooperstown area.

Cooperstown sits at the southwest end of Otsego Lake. The elder Cooper built Otsego Hall there. James spent his early years living in the house. Left for many years. Returned to spend his last 15 years in the home.

During the away years, James was off to school, joined the Navy, traveled the world thereafter, lived in New York City and Europe. All before returning to the family home in 1834.

The house was in a state of disrepair. James renovated it completely. It became a show place. The mansion burned down in 1857, never to be rebuilt.

James was a bit of a prankster. His deeds caused him to be expelled from Yale in his third year. One of the pranks blowing up another student’s door. The more humorous, locking a donkey in a recreation room.

The Last of the Mohicans is an exciting story set in the 1750’s. The British and colonials were engaged in a war with the French and their Indian friends.

The novel has been described as “romantic.” Several relationships involved in the story.

The key characters are Hawkeye, a colonial sometimes British scout. Two noteworthy Indian characters. Chingachgook, last chief of the Mohicans. His son Uncas who is the last of the Mohicans. And the two Munro sisters who were part of the love aspect.

My hometown Utica and Cooperstown are relatively close. Cooperstown is south of Utica. Thirty five miles separates the communities.

Which means I was fortunate both in my youth and later adult life to have been a frequent visitor to Cooperstown.

Cooperstown is the home of many places of historical interest.

One is the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. I was lucky to attend the induction ceremonies many times over the years. My grammar school class made the trip the first time. I belonged to several youth organizations which got me there many times thereafter. Watched first a professional game at Abner Doubleday Field. Then the induction ceremony followed by a tour of the Museum.

Even in my adult years, I visited. Merely to walk through the Hall of Fame again. On occasion with my children and grandchildren.

Near where the house that James’ father built and James lived, now stands the Farmers’ Museum. The name misleading. It is a whole community. Designed back in the lifestyle of the late 1700’s and early 1800’s. A home, barn, doctor’s office, lawyer’s office, drug store, newspaper, etc.

People were smaller/shorter back then. The size of rooms and furniture were actual for those days. Befitting the time. A person today could not for example sleep in a bed or chair. Much too small.

I always enjoyed walking through the Farmers’ Museum.

I had my twin grandson’s Matthew and Michael with me once. They had to be all of 6 or 7 years old. It was during the time Clinton was involved in the Monica Lewinsky matter.

We were in the drug store. A rado was on and talking about what had occurred. When we were back outside, Matthew looked up at me and said, “Poppa, he did a bad thing.” I nodded my head yes.

Part of the Farmer’s Museum included an area for livestock. A horse was near a fence. I was with two of my granddaughters. I don’t think they were more than 5 years old.

All of a sudden, the horse had an erection. A big one. The girls were staring. I immediately swept them away. I said nothing, they said nothing. Fortunately, I would not have known how to handle that one.

Sometime back in he 1930’s, the Fenimore Art Museum was built. A lovely neo-Georgian structure. The grounds, art work, etc. beyond compare. The only way to describe the place.

Several times I attended cocktail parties at the Museum. The perfect setting for such an event.

The owner of a small railroad had a home in the center of Cooperstown. The name of the railroad and his name escape me.

My Congressman for years was Sherry Boehlert. His district included Cooperstown and Utica. Each summer he would throw a cocktail party for his supporters at the house.

Another magnificent Cooperstown structure, a tour of the home was always given. The tour guide’s comment to one of the bedrom’s was: “This was Gene Tierney’s room. ” Gene Tierney was a famous movie star in the 1950’s and 1960’s.

The Otesaga Hotel. Huge. Sits on the golf course and lake. A wrap around porch covers half the building. Rocking chairs all over. The perfect place to sit and contemplate.

Cooperstown is the home of Glimmerglass Opera. I am ashamed to say I never got to attend.

Cooperstown today is a small lovely tourist town. Street side cafes, interesting boutiques, exquisite dining places. Stores selling tourist items, including tee shirts. One difference from Key West. No “dirty” ones. All the shirts relating to baseball heroes, etc.

Hope you enjoyed today’s blog. I appreciate I got carried away. What began as a tale involving The Last of the Mohicans turned into a travelogue up to today’s time.

I enjoyed writing it. Hope you enjoyed reading it.

Enjoy your day!

There is some confusion. Experts are not certain whether Jeff Bezos is the second or third richest man in the world. What a problem! In 2018, he was thought to be the “richest man in modern history.”

Since that time, one or two billionaires have apparently edged ahead. Makes no difference, however. Bezos’ net worth this past week has been estimated at $176 billion.

That kind of money can buy anything. And it has and does.

Bezos’ most recent expenditure involves an historic bridge in Rotterdam. The bridge is known as the De Hef. It only has a 130 foot clearance. Tall enough for any boats to pass under since before World War II.

Not high enough however for the new yacht Bezos is having constructed in the Netherlands. The yacht is 417 feet long and 3 masted.

The yacht’s cost $450 million.

No problem. Bezos is paying Rotterdam to dismantle a portion of the bridge and then replace it after his yacht moves through.

The dismantling will take 2 weeks.

The City of Rotterdam is happy to provide the unusual service to Bezos. Rotterdam is experiencing employment problems. Rotterdam authorities say what Bezos will be paying is a “revenue generator.”

Staying with money for a moment, the U.S. national debt hit $30 trillion this week for the first time in history.

What is money for? Bezos can spend millions and billions for whatever he wants. The U.S. has been on a wild spending spree for years.

Whether Bezos or the U.S., it does not seem to make a difference. Bezs spends his own money. The U.S. our money flowing to the government in the form of taxes.

Neither seems bothered by the spending. A difference between the two, however. Bezos spends his own money. The U.S. not. The government spends our money.

I have observed over my lifetime that those who have not earned through sweat and toil what they spend, have little disregard for it. They give little to no thought concerning wasteful spending.

Key West’s winter has come and gone. In all of 3-4 days. Hopefully it will not return this season. It can. We shall see.

This “winter” was one of the chillier. Hit 50 degrees 2 nights. Never made it to 70 two different days.

I can recall a couple of “winters” when the temperature in the evenings dropped to highs in the 40’s.

The weather is projected to be 75-80 degrees the next several days.

We’ll happily put up with it!

Tom Brady has formally announced his retirement. Good for him!

Forty four years old, he has played 22 seasons of professional football. Unquestionably the greatest quarterback of all time. Some believe the greatest football player ever.

His record outstanding. Seven Super Bowl wins, 5 Super Bowl MVPs, 3 times NFL MVP. He also threw 624 touchdown passes, the most  in NFL history.

It was exciting to see him throw. Especially in the last minute of a game when his team needed a touchdown or position for a 3 pointer. He was successful most times.

Everyone felt good watching him play. Except for the opposing team.

Interestingly, he was not expected to star when he entered the draft. He was drafted 199th. In the 6th round.

Enjoy the rest of your life Tom Brady. You’ve earned it!

Professional football coach Brian Flores opened the door to what may be a big time “scandal” in professional football. He has commenced a lawsuit against the NFL and others.

One issue involves colored coaches not being treated well. Very badly. Another, and one which if true will change how pro football is operated, involves being offered $100,000 to have his team lose. The intent of the bribe to have the team end up with a bad season and  move up in the selection process in the next draft.

My sense the “expose” will rival two other bigs ones. The 1919 Black Sox Scandal and the 1950 City College of New York point shaving scandal.

February is Heart Month. Very important. Especially as one gets older. Your heart is a constant source of problems. Watching it closely definitely prevents an early demise.

I have had several heart problems over the years. Three of consequence that are always with me.

I watch heart related problems closely. Take a multitude of pills, visit my heart doctor regularly. Every time I have heart pains which are extreme or new, I am in the doctor’s office or hospital to be examined immediately.

As with my cane, my heart doctor is another of my best friends.

Enjoy your day!

February 2…..Groundhog Day!

The nation’s attention will be zeroed in on Gobbler’s Knob in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. The home of the first Groundhog day on February 2, 1887.

Will the groundhog see his shadow If so, winter will continue. The groundhog will return to his burrow for another six weeks. If not, Spring will have arrived. He returns to his normal lifestyle.

Such is the story/fable as it has come down over the years. Not correct, however.

The real story.

The groundhog in all instances referred to is a male. He goes into hibernation (like a bear) in late Fall. In February, he emerges. Not to check on the weather. He is looking for a mate. He seeks sex. He is in need after having slept for several months and not experiencing any.

The tale has developed from truth to fable. So what? Provides everyone with a joyous festive day.

Key West icon Coffee Butler has died at the age of 93.

Coffee became a legend in his time.

He began playing at Blue Heaven in the early 1900’s when it first opened. He had a steady gig at Blue Heaven for nearly 30 years.

An additional highlight of his career has been his participation in the Sunday Jazz Jam at the Green Parrot.

Loved by all, may he rest in peace.

On this day in 1972, John Spottswood, father of today’s Spottswoods, sold Munson Island for $150,000 to Country Johnston of Valdosta, Georgia.

Munson Island was the island where PT-109 was filmed. Today it has been renamed and is the home of Little Palm Island.

Nazis in the news in recent days.

On saturday and sunday, neo-Nazis 15-20 strong demonstrated on a roadway in Orlando. They marched along the two days. They were donned in tan shirts and pants. Their “uniforms” covered in Nazi symbols. The chanted anti-Semitic slurs. Gave trhe Nazi salute. Yelled “white power.” Waved an anti-Biden banner.

The conduct obviously to be condemned. Especially by Florida’s Governor DeSantis. He neither actually addressed the situation till yesterday nor has he yet to outright condemn it. His comments yesterday can be described as “milk toast.”

DeSantis was unhappy. He said people were trying to “smear” him as if “he had something to do with that (the demonstration.)”

I continue to find it hard to understand anything DeSantis does. The man wants to be the Republican candidate in 2024. He is a Trump clone. He forgets one thing here, however. Florida has a heavy Jewish population. Many Jews from New York and other parts of he U.S. retire to Florida. They vote! DeSantis cannot have made them happy with the avoidance.

Which brings me to another “Jewish situation.”

Whoopi Goldberg has hosted The View for many many years. A woman of color, highly intelligent, outspoken, calls them as she sees ’em.

She was suspended by ABC for 2 weeks to reflect on the Holocaust remarks made on monday’s show.

Whoopi repeatedly insisted the Holocaust was not “about race.” She refused to back down even after her several co-hosts pointed out the goal of Hitler’s “Final Solution” involved “race.” Whoopi’s position was the Holocaust involved “two white groups of people.” Her position was “it’s about man’s inhumanity to man.”

Whoppi said she understood race. She was a person of color. Suggesting race has to do with color and the Holocaust had to do with religion, no matter how it may have been mislabeled from day one.

Her remarks were immediately condemned by the Anti-Defamation League and other Jewish groups. They “blasted” her for her “dangerous” distortion of Holocaust history.

From my perspective, her explanation was, if anything, a play on words. Comparable if anything to a book banned in a school library because the word “fuck” was in it.

I am concerned about anti-Semitism not only in the U.S.,but also across the world in recent times. The resurgence in anti-Semitism is obvious and scary. However, Whoopi should not have been taken down for at best was a “slight,” if anything.

DeSantis’ reaction is an example of what deserves attack/retaliation. His fault grievous.

The two week suspension an insult and joke. Jews should attack anti-Jews.

Enjoy your day!

Since publishing yesterday’s blog which contained observations re the Canadian truckers Freedom Convoy, more information has become available. Today’s blog shares the additional information with you.

The trucker information includes public urination and defecation, use of the War Memorial for urination, dancing on the War Memorial, harassment of local businesses and journalists, demonstration expanded to include any and all other grievances the truckers had with Ottawa, constant truck horn bowing, blocking downtown streets, and flying Canadian flags upside down.

A large nearby mall was overcome with truckers. They wanted food and toilet facilities, among other things. The mall shut down. All Ontario liquor stores were ordered shut.

The protesters claimed they were 50,000 strong. Fifty thousand trucks. Police disputed the figure, conceding however there were many. Police provided a figure as to the number of people involved. The police estimated 5,000  14,000.

My thought yesterday was that the truck demonstration was financed, as were many demonstrations in the U.S., by wealthy right wingers. A further assumption was the truck demonstration was well organized.

The two assumptions appear not to have been correct.

Demonstrators on the spot in Ottawa advised $9 million had been raised over GoFundMe.

There was no organization as to food, housing, or washrooms. Many public facilities were closed. The lack of toilets were the cause of the urination and defecation everywhere.

By law in Ottawa, masks are required when in a restaurant. Though the demonstration was specifically anti-vaccination, masks were not worn. The demonstrators needed to eat. They tried the restaurants, but were turned away.

Matters were becoming sensitive between the demonstrators and restaurants. The restaurants opted to close at some point saturday and remained closed all day sunday.

A soup kitchen was discovered. The demonstrators attacked and demanded food. Food was provided in order to diffuse a physical conflict.

The preceding supports my conclusion today that financing and organization were not a part of the planning for the demonstration.

Ottawa’s Freedom Convoy is intended to become international. A truck convoy demonstration occurred  sunday in Australia: Convoy to Canberra. No details available other than it occurred.

Similar events reportedly are planned for Dublin and London. If so, the big bucks people and professional organizers should be bought into the fold. It is unclear how much grass roots support the demonstrators actually have.

Canadian authority responses to protests in the past have been quick and violent. Not in this Ottawa instance, however. I could not determine the reason why.

Ottawa police advise the truck demonstrations cost $800,000 per day to handle.

The supplement is concluded.

Tonight, Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. My blog talk radio show. One half hour of fast moving dialogue.

Join me at 9 my time. Guaranteed you will enjoy. www.blogtalk radio.com/key-west-lou.

Enjoy your day!