“I am not afraid of an army of lions led by a sheep; I am afraid of an army of sheep led by a lion.” Words spoken by Alexander the Great. He should know.

I perceive Trump as a lion and his followers sheep. Causes me concern. Even after being out of office for 2 years, look at the havoc he has wrought.

Which brings me to the election in less than 3 weeks. Important! Perhaps the most important since Lincoln’s election. Democrats must sweep both Houses. Otherwise democracy will be on a decided path. Swept away!

Bess Levin’s recent description of Donald Trump: “Trump charged the Secret Service five times the going rate to stay at his properties, like the con artist he is.” Calling a former U.S. President a “con artist.” Only one thing can be said: If the shoe fits, wear it!

My SU fanaticism is well known. I bleed orange.

Tomorrow is the big game. Biggest yet of the season for Syracuse. Against Clemson. Both teams undefeated. Clemson ranked #5, Syracuse #14. Clemson heavily favored by 2 touchdowns.

I am hearing from everyone wishing my team well. Even 2 messages from Greece. Many thanks.

My Syracuse and Utica friends tell me excitement is high in upstate NY.

I listened to Coach Babers in an interview this morning. He knows it’s a big game. His comment: The team is ready.

He said this was the third time he has led a team into what he described as “Death Valley.” Big game/away from home. He lost the first two. Again, his only comment was his team is ready.

Going to be one hell of a game!

Thought it was winter yesterday morning.

The cleaning lady arrived at 9. Dressed for winter. I stepped out onto the porch. It was cold!!!

Cold during the night last night. Needed heat. No heat. System down. Still trying to reach property manager so he can get it fixed today. I am wearing a sweat shirt as I write this morning.

Weather will turn during the day. High expected to be 77. In the lows 80’s for the next week thereafter.

Haircut with Lori yesterday. We reminisced about the Casa Marina. She recalled. It was her first year in Key West 1998. Her first job in Key West. The same year for my first haircut with her.

A federal jury in Manhattan found actor Kevin Spacey not liable for battery in a civil suit yesterday. The case involved a lawsuit charging Spacey with climbing on top of a 14 year old actor and making sexual advances. The event occurred in 1986. The only sexual contact testified to during the trial was a light brushing by Spacey over the 14 year old’s  clothed butt.

Spacey was 26 at the time. The 14 year old an actor.

The suit was not filed till 2017. Spacey experienced a career blowback as a result.

The jury was out 1 and 1/2 hours. My experience as a trial lawyer is anytime a jury returns that quickly they were either very impressed or not impressed at all with the case.

Travel has become difficult in recent years. Especially airline travel.

It may be goodbye to plane, train and auto travel. Limited the better projection. Luxury buses may have an impact in the travel industry. New bus companies are providing buses that are attractive, comfortable and cheaper. Sleepers involved.

Reviewed some pictures on the internet . Impressive! They are meant to feel “like a private jet experience.”

Chad Scarborough is the founder and CEO of JET. A new bus company with all the frills.

Time will tell if the new bus game takes hold.

Thanksgiving one month away. Order your turkey now. Word is they will be hard to find and more expensive. More expensive means twice last year’s price.

Blame three fold: Avian flu, inflation, and supply chain challenge.

The crowd for Fantasy Fest will begin arriving tonight. Goombay. The “action seeking” crowd will arrive wednesday and thursday. Fantasy Fest is best at the end of the week on thursday, friday and saturday.

Enjoy your day!

Lead story in the Washington Post 10/18: Retired U.S. Generals, Admirals Take Top Jobs With Saudi Crown Prince.

Within hours similar stories appeared in The Daily Beast and FOX News.

The Washington Post opening paragraph: “More than 500 retired U.S. military personnel – including scores of generals and admirals – have taken lucrative jobs since 2015 working for foreign governments, mostly in countries known for human rights abuses and political repression.”

Right off the bat, let my opinion be known. It is wrong. It is detrimental to the good health and well being of the U.S. The nation that made these persons. The nation that placed them in positions to serve other masters and receive exorbitant dollars for their services.

Saudi Arabia the perfect example. The Saudis have turned their backs on the U.S. big time re recent OPEC+ decisions. Major retaliatory pain by the U.S. is called for. How can it be accomplished with some of our former top military leaders sitting in positions of power with the Saudis? I do not see how clear headed decisions can be made in Washington to force a correction of the Opec+ decisions.

Since 2016, 15 former American generals and admirals worked as paid consultants for the Saudi Ministry of Defense. The Ministry is led by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salaman, Saudi’s de facto ruler. The man who U.S. intelligence agencies say approved the 2018 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

Two major former U.S. military figures include Marine General James L. Jones, a national security adviser to Obama, and Army General Keith Alexander, National Security Adviser under Presidents Obama and Bush 2.

A former 4 star Air Force General and former Commanding General of U.S. troops in Afghanistan also are on the Saudi payroll.

The preceding perfectly legal. Congressionally approved back in the 1970’s. Required for Congressional ok first is approval by the branch of the armed services involved and the State Department. Routinely given.

Certain information has to be provided. For example,  name, the government involved and how much paid. Teeth had to be pulled for the Washington Post to obtain the information printed. Several years of FOIA litigation before court approval obtained.

All kinds of “secret” problems involved once the officers begin foreign employment. Many such “retired” officers testify before Congressional Committees, appear on national TV, etc. Rarely is it revealed that they are on the payroll of a foreign government. Congress knows. The U.S. public however till now has not. The American people assumed their loyalty solely to the U.S.

I am a history lover. Majored in history in college. I have mentioned in this blog several times over the years how I enjoy walking old cemeteries. The tombstones a written history of an area. My work took me all over New York and into several states. Trials, etc. kept me in an area for days and weeks. My evenings pleasure walks through local cemeteries.

A cemetery history talk and tour has been scheduled for wednesday November 2 at 10 am at the Library in Key West on Fleming Street. Historian Corey Malcom and Archivist Breana Sowers will speak. The talk followed by a procession to the Key West Cemetery for a tour.

Fantasy Fest begins with Goombay. Goombay is friday, saturday and sunday, beginning this week.

Goombay on Petronia Street in Bahama Village. A Cuban/Latin street feast of sorts. Totally a family event.

Always fun. Walk Petronia. See neighbors and friends. Eat some enchanting foods.

Unfortunately, I will not make it. Even with the cane, I am not capable of walking the crowded several blocks involved. Did enough in past years, however. The happy scene glued in my mind.

Cold during the night. Turned the heat on. Turned it off this morning. House soon cold. Heat back on.

Checked the weather report. Presently 70 degrees. High today 74. Cold for Key West. Heat called for.

Feeling better again. I have a haircut scheduled for noon with Lori. Then lunch somewhere. Might need a sweatshirt.

Enjoy your day!

Strone crab season is only a few days old. Its prices in the Keys similar to gas prices. A few miles make a difference.

I spent $49 per pound for large sized stone crabs monday night. Similar sized half way up the Keys were selling for $35 a pound. I thought $49 too expensive. However, when you’re a stone crab fanatic price is immaterial. Those paying $35 a pound likewise thought $35 was expensive.

Someone contacted me and said the price would go even higher. The reason. Goliath Groupers aka Jewfish. A favorite food. Some run 800 pounds. A fisherman on the internet commented: “Goliath groupers eat stone crabs like tic tacs.” The author of another article said “he felt bad for stone crabbers.”

Goliath groupers have been a protected species in Florida waters for over 30 years. If my research is correct, a certain number will be available for harvesting in 2023. However, the Keys will remain off limits. The monsters will still be able to devour my favorite food.

I have always enjoyed grouper when dining out. Now I know why. The mothers pigged out on stone crabs!

The price of gas in Key West up and down. Fluctuates like my body weight.

My 10/13 blog read: “Two weeks ago one gallon of gas cost $4.47. One week ago, $3.99. Yesterday, $3.87.”

The pendulum has swung. Sunday one gallon was $3.99.

Steve Thompson wrote about the early Casa Marina. Even before his time here.

Six acres oceanfront on the south side of town. A first class resort was sure to bring them down. They came to Casa Marina for sun and food.

It was the roaring 20’s and they sunbathed nude.

Louis interjection: The Casa Marina closed in the late 1920’s for 2 reasons. One the crash of 1929. The other those who came came booked only for a 3 day stay. The first night at the Casa. Quiet. Too quiet for them. Most left the next morning by ferry boat for Havana. Cash flow became too poor to remain open.

Back to Steve: Not till the 70’s did they really bring it back. The Birdcage Lounge was the first to reopen. The acoustics were so bad I thought they were joking. Painted plants on curved walls with no windows and a domed ceiling. I guess they wanted to give it a birdcage feeling. 

They tore it down when they built the new wing. The new hotel was fit for a king.

I’m insulted! Syracuse has been insulted!

The AP Preseason Top 25 College Basketball Poll fails to list Syracuse.

Go to it, Boeheim! Show ’em how wrong they can be!

Enjoy your day!

Trump continues his anti-Semitic rantings. His more recent telling Jews to “get their act together.”

The White House condemned Trump’s statements. Trump is upset becuse he believes Jews in the U.S. do not support him strongly. Whereas Jews in Israel do. No wonder. Trump gave Israel everything he could while he was President.

Trump’s dislike of American Jews borders on hatred, if not hatred itself. I find it strange. Ivanka and his grandchildren are Jewish.

There may be a sign/warning involved. Things are closing in on Trump. Big time. It has been suggested he will try to let his children take the fall for him. Would not surprise me. I find it difficult to understand. I am old school. One where parents do everything to protect their children.

The Trump family operation made money during the time Donald Sr. was President.

Yesterday’s New York Times reported that the Secret Service was charged exorbitant rates. Rates above government approved rates while Secret Service agents stayed at Trump International Hotel in Washington, D.C. while protecting Trump and family.

Eric was running Trump businesses while Donald was President. Government rates have a cap of $50 per night. Secret Service were generally charged $600. One night, $1,160.

Though under the weather a bit, I kept my date with Jean Thornton sunday night. Would not miss it! The game plan was Jean and stone crabs. A winning combination!

We met at the Chart Room at 6 as agreed. Jean waiting. Steve and Cindy at the bar. John bartending.

Good to see everyone!

Jean had Joe back in Birmingham check out what restaurants had stone crabs. Sunday was only day 2 of the new season. Turned out 3. Alonzo’s, Eaton Street Fish Market, and I forget the third.

We opted for the Eaton Street Fish Market. Sat outside and enjoyed. Large ones. Well cracked. $49 a pound. Going to be an expensive stone crab season!

Four stone crabs to a pound.

Outstanding! Delicious! Magnificent! What more can I say?

I went directly home afterwards to continue being sick.

I was surprised to learn families are still struggling to find baby formula. It is now one year since the shortage began.

Availability has improved, but not enough. The search persists.

One third of households with infant children had trouble finding formula last month.

Affected households had less than a one week supply of formula on hand.

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

One of Truman’s famous sayings: “The President is always abused. If he isn’t, he isn’t doing anything.”

Some pics on Facebook of homemade “pasta.” Chef…..Al Cotoia. Looks delicious, Al! Wish I could share it with you.

Al will understand what I am about to share.

No pasta in my younger days. Nor his. “Macaroni” was the term. I’m going back to the 1930’s through 1950’s. Suddenly it was pastasized!

Homemade macaroni was something my grandmother made. Generally with the help pf her daughters and daughters in law. Made at the sink and kitchen table. Some sort of a machine. Dishes like linguine were cut long. Then carried into  a bedroom and laid on the bed. First covered by a clean sheet, of course. Smaller cuts , also. Gnocchis made from flour rather than potato. We kids permitted to thumb press them.

My grandmother was the best cook ever! She could make shoe leather taste like filet mignon. She would occasionally cook round steak for my grandfather. Fried it in oil. Just right. Shared with me. I have never forgotten the tenderness and taste.

For Al and I’s non-Italian friends, macaroni, and then pasta, were two times a week meals. Sundays and wednesdays. Always!

Syracuse/Clemson saturday at noon. Clemson a 13 point favorite.

Big game!

An oh, my God! Would you believe! The Jacksonville newspaper, The Florida Times Union, reported on 10/17/1884 there were 22 liquor saloons in Key West.

Enjoy your day!

I feel lousy. Began last night. Then all night. Continuing this morning. Not sure what it is. Just feel like shit! Tried to write. Was getting nowhere. Don’t have writing in me.

Hopefully back tomorrow.

Ho Ho, Yogi Bear! Syracuse continues its undefeated run! Six and O!

Defeated North Carolina State yesterday 24-9. A tough game. A tough opponent.

Next week Clemson. Even tougher. Presently 7-0.

Yesterday’s game played at Syracuse. Sold out! Fifty thousand!

My good friends Tom and Fran Dixson missed the game. Vacationing in Siberia. Return Thursday.

Many of this year’s candidates are sickos.

Mike Itkis is a “liberal independent” candidate opposing Democrat Rep. Jerry Nadler in New York’s 12th Congressional District.

Itkis supports liberal positions such as abortion rights, gun control, and equal economic opportunity for all. He is also “pro-sex” in every regard.

To evidence he is a hardened supporter of sex positivity, Itkis released a 13 minute video on the adult video website Pornhub. Itkis – a registered Democrat – starred in the movie with porn star Nicole Sage.

He commented: “One of the most meaningful experiences of my life.”

Sounds like it would be.

Itkis claims he is an “introvert.” He just came out of the “introvert closet.”

Washington Post columnist Eugene Robinson wrote in an article yesterday: “The 2022 midterms are the most important of my lifetime.”

For all of us!

Bess Levin did it again. Labeled Trump’s reaction to this week’s January 6 Committee hearing: “Trump reacts to the January 6 Committee subpoena like a guy who knows the walls are closing in…..It’s not a great day to be Donald Trump and even he seems to know it.”

Suppose stone crabs or spiny lobsters disappeared from Keys waters this season. None to fish. None to capture. None to sell.

Alaska is experiencing a somewhat similar situation this season. Except it is for real and not supposedly.

Alaska cancelled its snow crab season for the first time this year. Officials are perplexed. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game cancelled the entire 2022-2023 season. One billion stone crabs disappeared.

Next year a question mark.

Presently, thousands of fishermen and others involved directly and indirectly with the Alaskan snow crabs are out of work.

No one knows why the snow crabs have disappeared. A major investigation is underway.

I will be out and about tonight. A great evening planned. Meeting Jean Thornton at the Chart Room at 6. A drink or two. Then stone crabs somewhere.

Enjoy your Sunday!

Busy day. Much on my plate. Got an early start.

Ordered groceries last night for early delivery this  morning. Groceries received, unpacked and stored.

Began researching today’s blog even before groceries delivered. Ten at the moment. I am beginning to write the blog.

Sloan due at 1:30. She took a trip last weekend so we never got together. Extra work to do today.

Syracuse/North Carolina State at 3:30. The best of the day! I am looking forward to it.

Sadness. So much of it in the world.

The worst the story of the 11 year old Ukraine boy who was buried for 6 hours under the rubble of an apartment house. A building Putin had bombed monday night in Mikolaiv.

TV was replete yesterday with video of the boy being extracted from the rubble. Sad. The opening small.

Even sadder, it was announced later that the boy died in the hospital of “heart failure…..cardiac arrest.”

Imagine the fear the 11 year old underwent during the 6 hours he was buried. His heart obviously could not handle the fear.

Putin, may you rot in Hell!

Syracuse a 4.5 point favorite over North Carolina State. Hope we win! Go ‘Cuse!

The Keys News ran its usual Cheers and Jeers weekly column today on its Editorial Page. A Jeer: On 10/1/22 the State of Florida implemented $.25.3 a gallon tax relief. Purpose: To provide price relief to consumers, not “pad the wallets of gas station owners.”

Fantasy Fest begins in 5 days. October 21. Will run through October 30. Curious to see how successful it will be. The “do gooders” are having their way this year. Their voices heard. A “cleaner” Fantasy Fest.

The “evangelicals” are happy. Will the visitors who come down to party be? It is sometimes forgotten that the purpose of Fantasy Fest from day one years ago has been to bring business to Key West during a slow time.

How quickly people forget. A few days ago, Aaron Judge hit homer #62 thereby breaking Roger Maris’ 61 home run record which had stood for more than 60 years.

Judge has had a top season otherwise with the Yankees, also.

Last night in a losing game at Yankee Stadium, Judge struck out 4 times. Some in the crowd booed him following his final strike out.

Following the game, Judge was interviewed by reporters. In all humility, he commented: “I have to play better.”

The man a class act. Not like those who booed him from the stands.

Love Hemingway! A perfectionist. Proof: ” I rewrote the ending to ‘Farewell to Arms,’ the last page of it, thirty-nine times before I was satisfied.”

Enjoy your day!

Justice lost yesterday in Broward County, Florida. The decision the same quality as Dobbs which reversed Roe V. Wade in the Supreme Court.

Nicholas Cruz was on trial in the sentencing portion of his criminal case. In 2018 Cruz shot and killed 17 in the Parkland school shooting. He pled guilty and threw himself on the mercy of the jury in the sentencing phase.

The jury could return one of two verdicts. Death or life in jail without parole. The jury returned a verdict in favor of life in jail without parole.

An injustice. A flagrant one.

Place everything in perspective. You are a parent sitting throughout the trial and waiting for the verdict. Nothing less than death will satisfy you. Your child is dead. God will permit vengeance in this situation. One mother’s daughter was shot 8 times.

I write about the Parkland result as an example of how the judicial/legal system is totally screwed up.

When I was a young lawyer, a criminal case concerned the rights solely of the defendant, the person charged. Then social groups started chanting victim’s rights. Developed over the years. Now an integral part of a criminal case.

Makes me laugh. Many Judges, especially Supreme Court Justices, view their decision making involving how the law was when the Constitution was written in the late 1700’s. No victim’s rights back then. Not even a whisper.

I blame not the judges so much. Their responsibility is to apply the law. Law is made legislatively. In state legislatures and Congress. Republicans are not so stupid when they recognize how important it is to control local elections, including state legislatures.

The pendulum has swung. Far in one direction. At some point, it will begin to swing back. Soon, I suspect. People cannot take too many decisions like this Parkland one and Dobbs which reversed Roe. It took 40-50 years for the pendulum to swing to the point it has. It may take as long to swing back.

Half way would help. Still looking at roughly 25 years.

In the meantime, there is no hope for the Parkland parents. No justice.

With one exception. Cruz may not live long enough to die a natural death. Prisoners have a way of meting out their own justice to persons who commit crimes on the outside. Especially those involving children.

Spent yesterday afternoon watching the January 6 Committee proceeding. Not as good as the previous ones. A lot of bones. Insufficient meat.

Voting the subpoena for Trump to be produced meaningless. The Committee ends December 31. Assuming Republican control of the House thereafter, the subpoena is not worth the paper it is printed on.

What did impress me was the leadership Pelosi and Schumer showed which was captured on video. They were in a room with other legislators. The insurrectionists were elsewhere all over the capitol. Looking  for Pelosi and Pence. Perhaps to kill them. Looking for other legislators perhaps to kill them, also.

Pelosi and Schumer acted like leaders. Doing Trump’s job. On the phone looking for national guard assistance from governors of nearby states.

My fear/concern for the additional information which was revealed re the Secret Service and FBI extremely bothersome. An investigation of both bodies is called for regarding the information developed.

Must be I was not the only one to mention Mika’s problem yesterday. The camera several times swept by where the cluttered table was yesterday. No table, no clutter. Merely an empty chair.

Syracuse/North Carolina State tomorrow at the JMA Wireless Dome in Syracuse at 3:30. The game will be carried on the ACC Network.

Enjoy your day!

So many important things happening today. So many important news items being announced. Which is more important? Frankly, all of them!

The January 6 Committee appears publicly. Perhaps its last appearance. Leaks suggest many items concerning Trump. Whatever the information, whoever about, it has been promised the Committee will reveal “pretty surprising” new information. Re Trump, the suggestion is the information will be he presents a “clear and present danger.”

Inflation news brought no surprises. Prices have been going up all year, especially regarding food.

The September to September report indicates an 8.2 percent rise in inflation. Groceries and fuel the highest items.

Social Security recipients will receive a benefit, however. COLA will increase monthly checks beginning in January by 8.7 percent. The largest increase in decades.

Alex Jones will spend the rest of his life wishing he had kept his mouth shut. The defamation jury brought back a total award just less than $1 billion. The parents of the dead children may never see a penny. However they will receive some satisfaction in knowing the judgment will harass Jones till the day he dies.

Anti-Saudi feeling is growing. The U.S. “friend” stabbed the U.S. in the back. At the same time humiliating President Biden.

Saudi Arabia must pay. Pay immediately. All U.S. troops should be recalled. All military equipment also.

Two U.S. important missile sites are located in Saudi Arabia. Washington sources recommend they be pulled immediately and sent to Ukraine or some NATO nation.

Does Mika have an enemy working in the Morning Joe studio? A camera person?

Once yesterday and twice today the camera showed a low table sitting next to Mika. The table looked like a junk heap. Several items. Like a large purse, maybe a sweater and other items.

No reason for the camera to have swung so low. A low blow to Mika if someone intended to embarrass her.

Gas prices are supposed to go up. Such has not yet occurred in Key West.

Two weeks ago, one gallon of gas cost $4.47. One week ago, $3.99. Yesterday, $3.87.

You explain.

Enjoyed a late lunch yesterday at Harpoon Harry’s. Devoured the wednesday turkey special. Thanksgiving dinner, trimmings and all.

Dined with Roger Keast. Rather at his table. The table where his wife Cheryl affixed his ashes to the bottom side of the table top.

On the way out, my cell phone rang. It was Jean Thornton. She had returned to Key West the night before.

We are both stone crab freaks. We are meeting at 6 sunday at the Chart Room. To be followed by stone crabs somewhere.

Syracuse plays North Carolina State saturday. Big game! Syracuse ranked #18 with a 5-0 record. North Carolina State #15 with a 5-1 record.

Syracuse a 4.5 point favorite.

The game at Syracuse. Already 45,000 tickets sold.

I look forward to this afternoon. I hope the January 6 Committee session will be as interesting as I expect.

Enjoy your day!

Hemingway’s key to brilliant writing: “I wake in the morning and my mind starts making sentences, and I have to get rid of them fast – talk them or write them down.”

Captain Frank was one of Key West’s most beloved persons. Everyone’s friend. Especially Jean Thornton’s with whom he frequently dined.

Steve Thompson wrote of Captain Frank.

Captain Frank worked the waterfront for over 40 years. When he passed there were many tears.

He had the best of jobs, he was a captain of choice.

I never once heard him raise his voice.

When he got here, that area was rough. You had to be smart as well as tough. There were only shrimp boats at Key West Bight. Now there’s not a shrimp boat in sight.

Frank was there for all those changes in town. It’s sure not the same without him around.

Spent yesterday in my sweltering home. Air conditioning broke. Fans going. Not enough, however. Sat waiting for repair men. Then several hours more while 3 men repaired the system. Apparently several things wrong.

I was impressed how swiftly they worked. Ran up and down the stairs. Told me how busy they have been because of Ian. Plus people like me whose system broke down for reasons not Ian related.

You can’t appreciate air conditioning till you are forced to go without. No matter how short the time.

Another star in the heavens. Angela Lansbury died yesterday. She was 96.

Lansbury was a beloved leading lady. Her extraordinary career extended over seven decades. In movies and on stage.

She last performed at age 90.

May she rest in peace.

Bess Levin continues to call them as she sees ’em. Her latest Donald Trump’s bigotry. The title of her recent article: Donald Trump An Even More Horrible Bigot Than Previously Thought. As reflected in the article’s opening sentence: “From mistaking non-white Congressional aides for waiters to phoning around to find out if he’s shaken hands with a gay person, it turns out that the ex-President is literally a bottomless pit of hate.”

President Biden warns ‘consequences” for Saudi Arabia’s oil production cut. He would not reveal them, however.

My President, don’t pussy foot around. Strike back before gas prices have a chance to move rapidly upward.

Strike hard!

I agree with many others that the U.S. should pull its military out of Saudi Arabia. The military stationed there for years to protect the Saudis from a hostile invasion. Stop selling the Saudis military equipment, also. Let them rely on Putin and Russia to defend them and for everything military.

See how quickly Saudi Arabia and Opec+ changes its position.

Enjoy your day!