SUSHI’S LAST DROP TONIGHT

Tonight marks the 25th consecutive year Sushi will have dropped in the Red Shoe on New Years Eve at the Bourbon Street Pub. Sushi’s Silver Anniversary! Also, his last.

Sushi is Key West’s Gary Marion. He announced tonight is his last drop. Sad. However it will make tonight’s descent even more special.

Marion has already let us know how he feels, “It’s going to be very emotional for me!”

Very emotional for all of us!

DeSantis continues his despicable ways. He has petitioned for a statewide grand jury to investigate Pfizer and Moderna for “wrongdoing in Florida with respect to COVID-19 vaccines.” A political stand. It reflects DeSantis’ “pandering” before governing.

A great woman has died. One who left her mark on feminism and broadcasting. Barbara Walters. She passed away yesterday at the age of 93.

Walters was a news pioneer. She was the first woman to become a TV news superstar. A trailblazer for all women.

In addition to her being the first woman to serve as a star broadcaster, Walters was the genius behind the View. It was her creation.

Another major figure died yesterday. Pope Benedict XVI. He was 95.

I considered his retirement 10 years ago strange. Popes generally die “in office.” Benedict packed it in early. My sense has always been he was “forced.” When he retired, a special apartment was constructed in the Vatican for him to occupy during his retirement.

Note, I have nothing to base my conclusion on other than gut feeling. His experience can only be described as strange.

Page 3 of the Executive Summary of the January 6 Committee Report primarily consists of additional excerpts from deposition testimony. Each an insurrectionist who participated in January 6.

Sandlin, who threatened police officers: “You’re going to die…..my civic responsibility to have been at Capitol.”

Miller: I was there and with a gun “because I believed I was following the instructions of former President Trump.”

Wright who brought busloads of people to Washington “because Trump called me there.”

Cantwell: If “…..the President of the United States…..is out on TV telling the world it was stolen, what else would I believe, as a patriotic American.”

Syracuse basketball this afternoon. I hope the team has improved and will play better than Syracuse football did yesterday.

Syracuse plays Boston College at 2 pm at the Dome. Neither team has distinguished itself thus far this season. Syracuse is 8-5, Boston College 7-6.

Syracuse is favored by 8 points.

Sloan will be here before the game. We have a few things to do. I will be moving her fast so I do not miss the beginning of the game.

Don’t drink and drive tonight. For 2 reasons. Your health. Don’t want you getting injured or killed in an auto accident. Also, the police will be out in force. They will show no sympathy.

Otherwise, enjoy your day and evening!

 

BAD GUYS SOCIALIZE TOGETHER

Rules/customs govern certain relationships. One involves judges, lawyers and lay persons who might benefit from a relationship. Basic…..The three groups do not socialize. Just the way it is.

These rules/customs do not seem to apply to Supreme Court justices. They did once. Now their attitudes seem to be to do what they want.

Note that Supreme Court justices have no code of ethics which govern them. All other federal judges do. State and local judges also, whether by rule or custom. Chief Justice Roberts sees nothing wrong with the Supreme Court members being unfettered by rules and customs of conduct. He said, “You can trust us, we’re Supreme Court justices, we know the right thing to do.”

Not on a stack of Bibles! Especially in view of their conduct on and off the bench in recent years.

My motivation in writing about what I perceive to be a problem is a recent Christmas party. Justice Kavanaugh was at such a party thrown by Matt and Mercedes Schlapp, major Republican conservative operators. Note use of the word “operators.”

Guests at the party included Matt Gaetz and Stephen Miller.

Not a proper ethical mix for a Supreme Court justice, regardless there is no formal code governing his conduct.

Syracuse was humbled again yesterday. The Syracuse football team played against Minnesota in the Pinstripe Bowl in New York City. Syracuse did not deserve to be in the bowl.

Syracuse lost 28-20. A Syracuse media outlet wrote Syracuse “sputtered midway through the second half…..like a lawn mower with a faulty engine.”

Hopefully, next season will be better.

Gas in Key West is down to $3.51 a gallon. The Florida average is $3.12 a gallon. Everything in Key West is always more expensive. I think it is a gouging excuse rather than an expense one.

Yesterday was my haircut appointment. When I arrived, no Lori. She was home sick. I was told I had been called. I do not doubt it. The call probably came in while I was showering and I never checked afterwards.

So it is a haircut with Lori today. Followed by a manicure with Tammy.

I had lunch yesterday at the Cuban Coffee Queen. Packed. Downtown Key West was packed. A lot of families.

Thirty years ago when I first began coming to Key West, the week beginning Christmas Day and ending New Years Day was gay week. A tradition. Gays filled the town.

I doubt it is the same any more. Key West has fewer gays. The families suggest a change in the nature of those visiting also. One reason is probably cost. Over the years , Key West has become increasingly expensive. The gay community opted for Miami and Fort Lauderdale where cost is considerably cheaper.

Brazilian soccer legend Pele died yesterday. He was 82. Colon cancer complications caused his death.

Pele is considered the greatest soccer player of all time. He racked up over 1,000 goals in his career. Brazil declared him a “national treasure” to prevent him from being traded to a European club.

Snow buried Buffalo this week. The storm considered the worst ever to strike Buffalo.

The British did Buffalo in during the War of 1812. Not with the assistance of nature and a winter snow storm. Rather, the Brits burned Buffalo during the War this day in 1813.

Mark Meadows is going to end up doing considerable jail time if he does not straighten out. He needs to see the light of day and cooperate in the various Trump investigations. Silence will only guarantee him a long jail sentence..

It was revealed yesterday that Cassidy Hutchinson during her January 6 Committee depositions testified that she watched Meadows burn documents in the White House “roughly a dozen times.”

Enjoy your day!

HE DIED BROKE

Several years ago, I visited Washington, DC as a tourist. Previously, only as a lawyer who never had the time to visit our national monuments.

I was especially interested in the Lincoln Memorial. Lincoln majestically seated.

It was the Jefferson Memorial that affected me the most, however. A bronze Thomas Jefferson standing 19 feet tall. Atop a large granite block. Impressive! Overwhelming!

Jefferson’s public career was outstanding. Few political leaders have achieved the successes he did. Abraham Lincoln referred to Jefferson as “…..the most distinguished politician in our history.”

Some of Jefferson’s accomplishments included being a Founding Father of our Nation, the author of the Declaration of Independence, President of the United States, Vice President before, a spokesperson for democracy, a member of the Continental Congress, Governor of Virginia, Minister to France, first Secretary of State, the Louisiana purchase, opposition to slavery (though he owned over 200 slaves), signed the law banning the importation of slaves to the United States, founded the University of Virginia, spoke five languages, designed the mansion at his 5,000 acre plantation Monticello, and authorized the funding and construction of West Point.

A special person. A special President. His image sits on Mount Rushmore.

Unfortunately, Jefferson died broke. Not a penny available for his family. His beloved Monticello sold to pay debts.

Jefferson was born to wealth. His was a wealthy slave owning family. Wealth back then could be measured by the number of slaves one owned. Slaves were property and had a value.

Jefferson had everything going for him from an economic perspective. His problem was he could not manage money. There was not a time when he did not have cash flow problems. He had difficulty balancing his check book. He always spent more than he took in.

At the time of his death, Jefferson owed more than $1 million in today’s money. His final days before his death were not spent in fond remembrances of the past. He was sickly and bed ridden. He spent most of his waking hours going over his finances and debts.

In the end, there was no estate to pass on to heirs. His estate, possessions and slaves were sold at public auctions. His daughter was forced to sell Monticello.

His final services did not befit a man of his stature. By choice. Jefferson had directed that no one be invited. His wishes were honored. The services were simple and quiet. His remains were carried by servants, family and friends to his Monticello grave site.

Jefferson was distrustful of banks his entire life. Living on the edge of economic disaster, he developed what can only be described as a hatred for banks. He viewed banks in a fashion similar to how they are looked upon today.

Regarding banks, Jefferson wrote the following. His prophecy relatively correct: “If the American people ever allow banks to control the issue of their currency, first by inflation, then by deflation, the banks and corporations that will grow up around them will deprive the people of all property until their children wake up homeless…..I believe that banking institutions are more dangerous to our liberties than standing armies.”

Jefferson’s was a sad ending to a brilliant career. Though of his own making, he was poorly treated in his later years.

The Upper Keys have installed AED’s. Emergency cardiac arrest boxes.

Key West should do so.

I have a heart condition. I put my money where my mouth is. I wear a Medical Alert System. Hangs around my neck. I press a button and within minutes the world is around me to help. Ambulance, emergency assistance, fire engine and police. The System costs $54.95 a month. Only needed it once in the 3 years I have had it. Fell down the stairs, fractured 2 vertebras. Couldn’t get up. Two in the morning. Glad I had it!

I can afford it. Not everyone can. Everyone should have some sort of protection. The AED boxes are a partial assistance to the second biggest killer in the U.S. Heart attacks.

Key West pisses a lot of money away. AED is not a waste of tax dollars. It is a protection available all.

The Front page of today’s KeysNews carries an excellent article concerning the AED’s.

The La Concha Hotel is almost 100 years old. Opened to the public this date in 1925. The formal grand opening took place January 22, 1926.

What follows are excerpts from page 2 of the Executive Summary to the January 6 Committee Report. The page overall testimony by certain insurrectionists. These persons openly acknowledging they had betrayed their country.

Remier: “And I’m sorry to the people of this country for threatening the democracy that makes this country so great.”

Pert: “I know the peaceful transition of power is to ensure the common good for our nation and that it is critical in protecting our country’s security needs.”

Markofski: “My actions put me on the other side of the line from my brothers in the Army. The wrong side. Had I lived in the area, I would have been called upon to defend the Capitol and restore order…..My actions brough dishonor to my beloved U.S. Army National Guard.”

Witcher: “Every member – every male member of my family has served in the military, in the Marine Corps, and most have saw combat. And I cast a shadow and cast embarrassment upon my family name and that legacy.”

Today a big one for Syracuse. We play in a bowl game for the first time in years. Against Minnesota in the Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium. Two pm.

Busy day for me. A haircut with Lori. Then rush home to catch the game.

Enjoy your day!

CATHOLIC CHURCH: YESTERDAY AND TODAY

Catholic Church issues today generally involve priests. Celibacy, marriage, women being ordained priests, abortion, and homosexuality were significantly prominent issues in another time.

In many regards, the Catholic Church of today is not the Catholic Church of yesterday. A few of the differences will be demonstrated. Many the result of man’s interpretation of the Bible rather than God’s word.

There were no priests till the end of the first century. The apostles were holy men. Men of God. They bore no specific title.

By the end of the first century, Christ’s followers had multiplied. The holy men were of the opinion they themselves should be referred to with a special designation. Something to demonstrate they were above the masses.

The title Priest came into being. With it, ordination.

The issue of celibacy arose. Not a problem in God’s time. It took a thousand years to rear its head. Certain apostles were married. Peter, the first Pope, was. Subsequent holy men were. They enjoyed sex and fathered children.

No where in the Bible does it say God insisted on celibacy for priests. There were no priests for almost 100 years after Christ’s death. For almost a 1,000 years thereafter, priests had been enjoying marital bliss. Some even outside their marriage bonds.

In 1074 AD, Pope Gregory VII declared candidates for ordination could not marry. Few, if any, listened to him. Priests continued to marry in large numbers for another hundred years.

Celibacy was mandated and made part of Canon Law in 1139 AD at the Second Lateran Council. Between 1074 AD and 1139 AD, Pope Urban II became a zealous advocate of celibacy. So much so that he had priests’ wives sold into slavery and their children abandoned. Priests continued marrying and/or having sex for several hundred more years. In decreasing numbers, however.

By 1200 AD, fifty percent of priests were married and fifty per cent not. So much for the Second Lateran Council.

History suggests Popes were married through 1585 AD. Some fathered children. Six Popes subsequent to 1139 AD produced illegitimate children. One Pope four, another three, and several two.

It is well established that four Popes had male lovers. Open and notorious. One slept in the same bed with his partner in the Vatican of that time.

The most interesting thing learned is that celibacy is not a vow. Rather it is a promise. A promise a new priest makes to a Bishop.

Abortions have their place in Church history. Not as represented today. Rather as what existed in reality at a certain time.

It was 836 AD. Priests had been having sex with nuns and other women for a number of years.. Some of the ladies became pregnant. The monasteries and nunneries became abortion mills. Infanticide was an agenda item. Very young babies were killed. Sort of makes one think…..Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.

In any event, the Council of Aix-la-Chapelle decreed in 836 AD that there were to be no more abortions and child killings in monasteries and nunneries.

There were women priests. Would you believe! From the time of Christ to some time into the fourteenth century. And further in time. There was another Council in the fourteenth century that declared women could no longer be ordained priests. Yes, they had actually been ordained just as men up to that time.

Few payed attention to no more female priests. A hundred years later, women were still being ordained, hearing confessions, etc.
By the fourteenth century, male presence and power was increasing within the Church. The hierarchy began to look down upon women as priests. The female gender was considered less than the male one. Women were no longer worthy of being priests.

The hierarchy relied on the Bible for its new found position regarding female priests. Man’s interpretation as opposed to God’s. Where was that interpretation for fourteen hundred years? A modern day inconsistency also exists.

In 1972, Czech women were imprisoned in large numbers by the Communists. Ludmilla Jarorova and several other Czech women were ordained as priests to serve the needs of those women.

For centuries, Popes themselves married and procreated.

The purpose of this article is to make people aware there is a difference between God’s Laws and what man later determines to be God’s Law. Some believe the inconsistencies, the law changes, are the result of those who considered themselves special. The men in the Church.

There have been such men in every century. Once in power, they abrogate power and authority to themselves. Resulting in the screwed up Catholic Church of today.

Former Republican Representative Carlos Curbelo (Fla): “I don’t think that anything can save Donald Trump. He’s decidedly on the path of irrelevance. He reduces himself by the day.”

Trump’s tax returns recently released support Curbelo’s premise. Trump owned 3 planes. Two jets and a helicopter. The tax returns showed income in the six figures for the 2 jets. They also reflected expenses for each in the exact amount of the the income for each. To the penny. A tax wipe out. Did the IRS see receipts for the expenses?

Bloomberg Tax writer Andrew Leahey wrote an interesting article yesterday (12/27) re Trump’s recently released tax records. The title clearly spells out how Trump should be handled re the returns: “Don’t Embrace Trump Over Tax Returns – Charge Him Instead.”

Kari Lake lost her lawsuit to have the Arizona governor result set aside based on election fraud. He found no wrongdoing. Lake in effect got a Trump result.

The newly elected Governor Katie Hobbs asked the court to sanction Lake for having brought a frivolous lawsuit. The judge refused. However, he did make Lake responsible for certain costs and expenses sustained in opposing her ill conceived suit. He ordered Lake to pay $33,000 for fees and costs. Lake not a happy camper about the loss and her having to pay $33,000.

Wacked out defines her mental condition.

An incident involving Lake at a suburban 7-Eleven on Christmas morning reflects how “flipped out” she was. Perhaps, still is.

Lake purchased a lottery ticket at the 7-Eleven. A lottery scratch game called Cash Craze. She lost. Lost re the ticket and herself. She accused the ticket machine of being rigged against her and “riddled with fraud.” She then launched into a tirade on a wide range of targets, including the “pathetic” quality of Christmas presents she received.

All in front of witnesses.

A member of Lake’s family said the visit to the 7-Eleven was “unfortunate.” However “got her out of the house for a few minutes.”

A big Syracuse sports week!

Tomorrow, the Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium at 2 pm. Syracuse plays Minnesota.

Saturday, Syracuse basketball against Boston College. Two pm.

I am leaving out my synopsis of page 2 of the Executive Summary of the January 6 Committee Report. Today’s blog already too long. It will appear tomorrow.

Enjoy your day!

YOU PUT IT IN YOUR PURSE

This story makes sense. Could happen. Did happen.

A Michigan woman and her family were vacationing in a small New England town where Paul Newman and his family often visited.

One Sunday morning, the woman got up early to take a long walk. After a brisk five-mile hike, she decided to treat herself to a double-dip chocolate ice cream cone.

She hopped in the car, drove to the center of the village and went straight to the combination bakery/ice cream parlor. There was only one other patron in the store: Paul Newman, sitting at the counter having a doughnut and coffee.

The woman’s heart skipped a beat as her eyes made contact with those famous baby-blue eyes. The actor nodded graciously and the star struck woman smiled demurely. Pull yourself together! She chides herself. You’re a happily married woman with three children, you’re forty-five years old, not a teenager!

The clerk filled her order and she took the double-dip chocolate ice cream cone in one hand and her change in the other. Then she went out the door, avoiding even a glance in Paul Newman’s direction.

When she reached her car, she realized that she had a handful of change but her other hand was empty. Where’s my ice cream cone? Did I leave it in the store? Back into the shop she went, expecting to see the cone still in the clerk’s hand or in a holder on the counter or something! No ice cream cone was in sight.

With that, she happened to look over at Paul Newman. His face broke into his familiar, warm, friendly grin and he said to the woman,

“You put it in your purse.”

Certain parts of the U.S. are experiencing extremely cold weather the past few days. Fortunately, our homes and working places ae heated.

Contrast that with certain Ukraine communities where Putin has blown up energy facilities which provide heat. Leaving entire communities without any heat.

Janine Di Giovanni wrote a pointed article on the Ukraine problem on 12/23 in Vanity Fair. The title of the article says it all: “Christmas in Kyiv: The Cold And Loneliness Scared me – Not the Russian Missiles.”

Today seems to be title day. Another. An article by Woodward and Bernstein in the Washington Post 12/26: “Thought Nixon Defined Corruption. Then Came Trump.”

The January 6 Committee Report has been published. Its 800 pages is available free on the internet. It can also be purchased from commercial sources.

I would enjoy reading the whole 800 pages. Impossible for me. I have too many things to read every day. So I am forced to pick and choose. The Report’s Executive Summary is short. Eight pages. That I have read. As time progresses, I am sure I will read certain other parts, but again nowhere the entire thing.

Many of you ae similarly situated. Without the time to read the Report. I have decided to help a bit. A small bit. I will provide some interesting excerpts for the next 8 days. One page per day of the Executive Summary. A quote or two. Whatever.

Page 1 of the Executive Summary.

Excerpts from Stewart Rhodes testimony. Rhodes an Oath Keeper: He testified he was provoked to travel to Washington by President Trump’s tweets and false claims that the Presidential election was “stolen from him.” He testified that he and others believed they were attacking Congress in the manner the French had attacked the Bastille at the outset of the French Revolution. “I felt like, again, we were continuing in some kind of historical event to achieve a goal.” He further testified: “My participation in the events of that day were part of an attack on the rule of law.”

Measles and chicken pox are on the rise in the U.S. Not everywhere yet. However the heres and theres are increasing. Pay attention and if recommendations regarding shots, etc. are issued, pay attention.

Enjoy your day!

CALICO JACK AND HIS LESBIAN LOVERS

Calico Jack was a famous pirate during the Golden age of Piracy early in the 18th century. His successful career lasted only a few years. He was captured and hung for his crimes in 1770 at the age of 37. He execution by hanging at Port Royal, British Jamaica.

Though a pirate of successful reputation, he is better recalled historically because of the two female companions that sailed with him. Note  that women on pirate ships were a no no. Bad luck. Generally killed by a male ship mate. Calico’s 2 ladies were fortunate, however. They survived.

The two ladies were Anne Bonny, his true love. The other, Mary Read.

Bonny was married to another when she sailed away with Calico. Did not affect their relationship. Calico and Bonny slept as man and wife.

Read had snuck on board dressed as a male. She passed as such for a while. Eventually discovered. Her fellow male crew mates did not try to kill her. Read was one tough lady. In fact, Bonny was also. When battle was imminent, they dressed in male attire and fought and killed as men would.

Eventually, Bonny and Read fell in love. A meretricious relationship developed. Crew mates referred to them as the “Pirate Queens.”

Calico was jealous. He threatened to “cut Mary’s throat.”

Calico remained an unhappy camper. It is thought Calico’s state of mind because of the ladies might have affected his judgment and was a factor in his being captured and hung.

The weather outside continues to be frightful. Wowie! Cold!!! Temperature today will have a high of 62 and low of 55. On the low side at the moment.

This cold rare. One of its tell tale signs is water from the faucet. Extremely cold. Most times, warm. I drink bottled water cooled from the refrigerator. Not required this morning. I was rinsing my hands in the kitchen sink and forgot how cold the water would be. The cold burst was a shock.

The opposite occurs in August and July. The water from the faucet is warm. Heated warm water not required for a shower. The cold water warm enough.

Harry Truman died this day in 1972 in Independence, Missouri. He was 88 years old. Consistent with his nature and desire, he was buried in a “very subdued” and private funeral in Independence.

Robert and I visited yesterday. I am very proud of him. He has completed his first semester at Florida State University and received his final grades. Straight A’s.

Grandson, keep up the good work!

The Bible predicts sinners will diminish in number to be replaced by the good: “When the wicked are in authority, sin flourishes, but the godly will live to see their downfall.” Proverbs 29:16.

Steve Thompson returns! He shares his recollection of another 1970’s character. Monkey Tom.

He was my favorite artist in Key West. His shrimp boat paintings on driftwood were the best.

Junior Olympic swimmer and ex-Navy vet, he was the first Key West “character” I met. He was happily homeless and never owned a car. Hung out on lower Duval and never went far.

He slept on Christmas Tree Island every night. Swam back and forth; what a sight.

He had a pet monkey whose name was Igor, who rode on his back to Simonton shore.

He sold his paintings in front of my taco store. They were so reasonable anyone could afford. Once or twice a year he ended up in jail. They let him trade his paintings to pay his bail.

When Old Town started picking up in the Seventies, he moved to Stock Island a mile up the Keys. Everyone knew him. He drank Pabst Blue-Ribbon beer, rode his bike, sold paintings, and was happy there.

I don’t think he ever returned to Old Town, but you’re bound to see his paintings around.

Enough.

Enjoy your day!

 

 

CATHOLIC CHURCH IN CONFLICT AS IS REST OF THE WORLD

The Catholic Church is suffering internally as is the rest of the world. Its hierarchy divided. Similar to the U.S. Congress. Right and left at each other’s throats. Especially the extreme right.

The Roman Curia is composed of those Cardinals who run the Vatican. As with our Congress, split badly philosophically. Many anti Pope Francis. Makes running the Church an unusually difficult task.

Outside influences involved. Several times I have written concerning Newt Gingrich and Steve Bannon. Both support Francis’ overthrow.

Gingrich’s wife Callista was Trump’s appointee as Ambassador to the Vatican. Provided Newt with open access to Vatican movers.

Bannon’s basic motivation in life is the overthrow of existing governments. He continues to seek Francis’ overthrow. He and Gingrich worked hand in hand during Callista’s ambassadorship. Both walk hand in hand with those bishops who oppose Francis within the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. Bannon claims Francis is “dangerously misguided.” He refers to the Vatican as the “enemy camp.”

The Roman Curia comprises the administrative institutions of the Holy See and the central body through which the affairs of the Catholic Church are conducted. They are supposedly the group of various bureaus of the Holy See that assist the Pope in the day to day exercise of his primatial jurisdiction over the Roman Catholic Church.

The Curia is traditionally associated with members of the Sacred College of Cardinals, acting either as a body or individually as administrators of the various bureaus.

Francis has difficulty with many of them. They are opposed to “his ways” and want him deposed. Many openly buck him.

Thursday, Francis addressed the Curia. He admonished them in terms of right and wrong, good and evil.

Some of his words: “Be vigilant, evil comes back under new guises…..Before, evil appeared rough and violent, now it shows up as elegant and refined…..These elegant demons demons enter smoothly, without our even being conscious of them.” Francis encouraged those present to always put Christ at the center, warning against the temptation of putting “too much of ourselves, our strategies, and our programs” instead. “Some of our failings, also as a Church, are a forceful summons to put Christ back at the center, for as Jesus says, ‘Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.'”

There is a message here. The saying…..God is in His Heaven, all is right with the world” is not correct. God is in His Heaven, but all is not right with the world!

Today a special one. The birth of Christ. To all, a Merry Christmas!

Best celebrated with family and friends. Not all so fortunate. Those alone will best enjoy the holiday by recollecting better times when it was spent with family and friends.

A treacherous once in a generation winter storm is pummeling central and eastern U.S. It is called a “snowpocalypse.”

Key West is experiencing a very cold Christmas Day. I began writing this blog at 6 am. Just stepped out on the front porch to “feel” how cold. Cold!!! Fifty three degrees. High today projected at 59 degrees.

Buffalo an example of how badly an area can be hit. Buffalo always has bad winters. They know how to handle the storms and are ready for them. This one unfortunately is over the top. Too much.

Buffalo is being ravaged. Hundreds stranded in vehicles in frigid cold and drifting snow. No way for rescue workers to reach them.

The entire of Erie County is without emergency service. No way for first responders to do what they normally would. A doctor was coaching a woman over the phone how to deliver her sister’s baby.

The storm has been labeled Buffalo’s worst ever.

It is reported the storm has passed. Buffalo is in the process of getting out and performing as it could not the past 24 hours.

An interesting note in today’s KeysNews. Makes reference to Christmas Day 1933 in Key West. The Manhattan Café was offering a dinner of turkey and dressing with all the trimmings for 65 cents.

Those were the days!

Enjoy your day…..best you can!

NO REASON TO CONSIDER CHANGING MALLORY SQUARE’S NAME…..NOT NAMED AFTER STEPHEN MALLORY

Serious discussions concerning renovating/updating Mallory Square are taking place. The issue of the area’s name has become part of the discussions. Should the name be changed. Stephen Mallory was a Confederate successionist who served as the Confederacy’s Secretary of the Navy.

My son in law Corey Malcom solved the problem.

Corey is a brilliant historian. Tom Hambright described him as a “world class historian.” The description befits him.

Corey is an archeologist by education. Early on worked in the Middle East. Served as the Mel Fisher Maritime Museum’s Director of Archeology for more than 30 years. Now Hambright’s successor as Monroe County Historian.

He is acknowledged and respected as the world authority re Spanish wrecks and slave ships. Along the way, he earned a Doctorate from England’s University of Huddersfield.

I dwell initially on Corey’s background and talents not because he is my son in law. Though I take pride in it. I dwell on his background because what he has discovered will surprise everyone: Mallory Square is NOT named after the secessionist Stephen Mallory.

Corey did some digging and discovered a 1961 letter from the Chairman of the Old Island Restoration Foundation, one of Key West’s first historic preservation groups.

Key West purchased the “Clyde-Mallory Docks” in 1952, but a plan for the area was not realized till 1960 when the Foundation began pushing for a restoration that highlighted the history of the docks. The Foundation took the lead in the transformation to “Mallory Square” which opened in 1961.

The Foundation’s Chairman Reta Savage wrote, “We have by unanimous decision named the area ‘Old Mallory Square’ in honor of the Clyde-Mallory Steamship Line.”

Corey reported Sawyer went on to make a prescient observation: “Needless to say when the dock and fishing pier are finished it will certainly be an attraction to the tourists.”

Good job, Corey! You saved Key West from some serious conflict re a name change.

Corey’s report can be read on a Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center, Facebook entry posted 12/19 titled “Who Is The Mallory Of Mallory Square? The Answer Is In The Archive.”

It is already Christmas in Tahiti, New Zealand and Australia. Less than 24 hours from now, it will be in Key West. An early Merry Christmas to one and all!

MONEY PEOPLE WANT TO CONTROL U.S. GOVERNMENT

Persons of extreme wealth have always wanted to influence the U.S. government. Actually, control it. For some reason, they believe their wealth gives them a divine right to do so.

Regarding January 6, I have asked several times where did the money come from to support the uprising. Those fighting their way up the Capitol steps were not billionaires. Most were ordinary every day Americans.

It took money to get them to Washington. Transportation. Then where would they sleep, how would they eat, etc. All took money. The kind most did not have.

I was hoping the January 6 Committee might reveal who the moneybags were. They may have. The report was finally released in its entirety last night. This morning’s news contains the name of one such person who put $3 million up.

The person is 76 year old Publix heiress Julie Fancelli. She made the offer in late December 2020. The January 6 report documents a significant amount. How it was spent, allocated.

She wanted certain things.

She wanted Roger Stone and Alex Jones to speak at the planned White House Ellipse that preceded the violent march to the Capitol. Neither did. She wanted busing to be provided the insurrectionists. That she did receive.

Fancelli initially wanted to wire all of the $3 million to Charlie King’s Turning Point USA. She wanted the $3 million used to bus people to Washington. Eventually $1.25 million was.

Other monies were parceled as follows.

Caroline Wren received $200,000 as a commission for securing the money. Sixty thousand went to Donald Trump Jr.’s partner Kimberly Guilfoyle for her 3 minute speech before the rally. Roger Stone received an unspecified amount to pay for the private plane to fly him to Washington and his fee. The Republican Attorney General Association, Rule of Law defense Fund, received $150,000. Three hundred thousand went to Women For America First.

There has to be more who contributed in significant amounts. As the 800 page January 6 Committee report is dissected, we shall find out.

The issue of Confederate statues, etc. keep popping up. My position remains the same. Part of American history. Good, bad or indifferent. Leave such things alone.

What does disturb me however is when a person has an opinion re the issue based on ignorance. Does no one good.

Yesterday’s Citizens’ Voice (12/22) contained a comment re Stephen Mallory. A Key West resident who represented Florida in the U.S. Senate in the decade preceding the Civil War. When Florida seceded, he joined the government of the Confederacy as Secretary of the Navy.

Key West’s Mallory Square honors him as well as his bust in the nearby “bust garden.”

The comment that bugged me: “Mallory would never grab a person by the parsley. He only did a little bit of treason. It’s not like he tried to overthrow the country. Give him a break.”

“He only did a little bit of treason. It’s not like he tried to overthrow the government.” Let’s look at what he did. He was Secretary of the Navy in the administration of Jefferson Davis. He held the position throughout the existence of the Confederacy. He was able to shape the Confederate Navy according to the principles he had learned while serving in the U.S. Senate. His ideas included the incorporation of armor into warship construction. So much so, it became the standard in navies around the world.

Following the war, Mallory was imprisoned for more than a year. The public’s mood softened and he was granted a parole by President Johnson.

The last portion of my Christmas gift. Frank Sinatra’s My Way.

 

 

Merry Christmas!

When the new Republican House of Representatives is sworn in January 3, it will be led by a bully team. Disrespectful one and all.

An early example occurred when Zelensky was speaking before the joint session of Congress.

Since January 6, persons entering Congress must pass through special security. Makes sense. Representatives Matt Gaetz and Lauren Boebert are part of the bully group that will be leading the new House. They refused to go through security. Bulled their way through.

Then they sat throughout Zelensky’s address. Refusing to stand or clap. Working their cell phones most of the time.

A tough 2 years ahead.

There was a Celebration for Britney Griner this week. It was held at a church in Waco. Waco the home of Baylor University. The University in recess for the Christmas holiday.

Only 20 people showed up. Why so few? The fact Baylor in recess not reason enough. There are people who live in the Waco area.

China buried in COVID. On any given day, one million suffering from Covid. The number of reported deaths astronomical. Five thousand per day. Funeral parlors/directors cannot handle the volume.

The average number of cases is expected to rise to 3.7 million in January.

Sad! Horrible! Recall the U.S., New York City 2-3 years ago.

Enjoy your Day! Complete your Christmas shopping! I was a last minute shopper.

ZELENSKY 21ST CENTURY WINSTON CHURCHILL

Volodymyr Zelensky is the 21st century Winston Churchill.

Without question.

Ukraines are fighting authoritarianism, fascism and terrorism. They are confronting evil. They are the free world’s buffer. Deserving of all the support the U.S. and NATO can give them.

Congress, especially the new House, must give Ukraine all the money it needs to fight Putin. Iran now included. By fighting Putin, the Ukraine is now fighting Iran.

This is not 1940. It is a new century. Eighty years later. Military weapons in the form of missiles have the capacity to reach U.S. shores. Opponents have the capacity to wage war on American soil with boots on the ground.

We must engage foes on their shores, not ours. We do not want blood flowing on American streets, our women and children raped, American’s executed by shots to the backs of their heads, heatless winters, etc.

On this day in 1941, Churchill arrived in Washington for a war time conference with Roosevelt.

A few days later on December 26, Churchill made his historic wartime address in the Senate Chamber before an informal meeting of Congress. His address was in the Senate rather than House Chamber because of the Christmas holiday. Most Congresspersons and Senators were home on vacation. Nevertheless, the Senate Chamber was packed. additional chairs were required to be added on the Senate floor to accommodate the overflow. The Senate gallery was standing room only.

Churchill warned “many disappointments and unpleasant surprises await us.” He pointed out the United Kingdom had been the target of a nine month long German campaign – known as the Blitz – and went on to note the Axis powers “are enormous, they are better; they are ruthless.”

These are “wicked men” he called them, and had brought evil forces into play. They must “know they will be called to terrible account.” He then slowly stated, “We are masters of our fate.”

Those members of the new House who want to trim Ukraine funding should keep Churchill’s last statement in mind.

Time to share another favorite musical tune. Part of my Christmas gift to you.

I have always enjoyed the beat to the Village People’s YMCA. Almost did not share it. While skimming the internet the other evening, I noticed Trump was now using the music to YMCA to whip people up at his political gatherings. Decided not to use it. Then thought why let Trump cheat me and my readers out of something more.

Ergo, the Village People and YMCA.

 

Once again, Merry Christmas!

It is fortunate the Keys has a Turtle Hospital. The Marathon Turtle Hospital. Bearer of a world wide reputation.

Twenty endangered Kemp’s ridley sea turtles arrived at the Marathon hospital December 9 to warm up and receive treatment after suffering “cold stunning” in Cape Cod waters.

A group of private pilots, dubbed “Turtles Fly Too,” donated their planes, fuel and time, transporting the turtles in towel-lined banana boxes.

The cold wave is coming. Arrives saturday. Every time extreme cold weather hits the northeast part of the U.S., Key West gets impacted with unusually cold weather. Fortunately, never snow.

Enjoy your day!