Crazy weather upon us. Only going to get crazier.

Began with the rain yesterday. Unbelievable. Key West day time rain storms are modest. Brief. Generally, light. Yesterday was another story.

Did it rain! Poured! With length and intensity that normally accompanies a hurricane. With one difference. Tropical storm rain rarely falls straight down. Comes in sideways. Sometimes from the bottom up (joking). Yesterday’s was straight down.

I found it welcoming. A few days ago my neighbor and I were talking about the need for an intense rain storm. One way to get your car washed. A good rain as good as a commercial washing. Can’t wait to go out this morning and see my car bright and shiny.

The weather is not going to get better. A cold artic blast is expected to cover southern Florida saturday and sunday. In time for Christmas.

Iguanas will fall from the trees! Appear dead. Merely stunned. Will recover as the weather warms up.

Key West temperatures Christmas Eve and Christmas will range from a high in the mid 60’s to lows in the mid 50’s. Long pants weather.

My Christmas gift continues. Songs I enjoy. Today New York, New York. The 3 Tenors again.

Merry Christmas again! Especially New Yorkers whose chests burst with pride when the song is played.

I wrote about the famous line “I’ll have what she’s having” in When Harry Met Sally” the other day. In a Comment  received today, I was advised it was Billy Crystal’s mother who said the line in the movie. My thanks to the person who shared the information with me. I fact checked to be sure. Make enough mistakes on my own.

Turns out it was not Crystal’s Mom. Rob Reiner’s mother Estelle. Reiner was directing the movie. Reiner convinced his mother to do it. And she did it well!

The Ukraine’s Zelensky travels to Washington today to meet with Biden during the day and address Congress this evening.

Hope Hicks back in the news. Hope a Senior Counselor to Trump.

It was revealed as part of the January 6’s final report that Hicks “pressed” for Trump to tell his followers “not to engage in violence.” He refused.

Bess Levin described Hope’s testimony: Hope “twists the knife.”

A brief insight into what scholars are saying about the Supreme Court.

They describe the Court’s recent conduct as “imperial.” Reflecting an “assertion of power.” Insisting on “dominance” and a willingness to use procedural shortcuts to achieve it.

ALARMING!

Trump’s 6 years of tax returns are being released. Going to be interesting!

Syracuse lost to Pitt last night by 2 points 84-82. Sounds like a close game. It was not. Pitt demolished Syracuse the first three quarters. Then with minutes left and Pitt ahead by 20 points, Syracuse came alive.

Syracuse’s defense pressed harder. Syracuse players found the hoop. Pitt could not score. Pitt failed to score a goal in the last 6 minutes of the game.

Pitt’s 3 point shooting was fantastic. Boeheim has always said his zone defense is not that effective against the 3 point shot. If an opposing team keeps making them, Syracuse will lose. Looked like it was going to happen last night.

Boeheim continued to be critical of his forwards in the post game interview. They are not rebounding. He is also unhappy with the defense overall.

Enjoy your day!

Twenty five movies were inducted this past week into the Library of Congress’ National Film Registry. One was the 1989 film When Harry Met Sally starring Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal.

A line in the movie is among the all time greats. It’s up there with Clark Gable’s closing line in Gone With The Wind: “Frankly my Dear, I don’t give a damn.”

Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal were having lunch and discussing whether a woman could successfully fake an orgasm. Right there in the middle of lunch with tables full all around them full, Ryan showed she could do it. The camera switched to an older woman at a nearby table who told the waiter, “I’ll have what she’s having!”

I went out last night. Met Steve and Cindy Thompson and Laura Bateman for drinks at the Chart Room. John bartending.

Glad I went. I had a good time! Much of the talk surrounded Key West stories of yesteryear. Steve has been here since the 1970’s, Cindy even earlier from the 1960’s and Laura lived in Key West at one time for 10 years. Throw in my 30 years. People came into the conversation I have not thought of in years. Fond remembrances.

I was home early and hungry. Threw a small frozen pizza in the oven. Twenty minutes to cook. I sat and watched TV while it was heating up. Woke 1 1/2 hours later. Realized…..Oh my God! The pizza! Fearful of a fire.

The pizza was cooked. Big time! Looked like a brick, hard as a brick. No way could it be eaten, let alone chewed.

Sloan will be by tomorrow. We have some things to work on. I have added to the list how to set the oven to shut down on its own. I can’t figure it out.

Another part of my Christmas gift to you. Another video. This is one someone sent me earlier in the year. I have run it twice. I like it so much I want to share it again. Some of you may not have seen it. A happy video. I labeled it the Italian Grocery Store.

Merry Christmas! Hope you enjoyed!

Came across an article about sayings imprinted on the tombstones of famous people. Brought to mind my instructions to Lisa in the event I decide to be buried. Burial or cremation still up in the air.

I told Lisa my stone should bear the epitaph: “I knew no other way to be, I only knew I had to be me.” It guided my life.

The January 6 Committee had its last “meeting” yesterday. It referred to the Department of Justice a recommendation that Trump be prosecuted with regard to 4 different charges.

Fine! Now, let’s get to it!

So much pussy footing around where Trump and criminal charges are involved. Always seems to be a reason why in the final analysis he should not. I worry that the Justice Department will let him slide by again.

One of my biggest disappointments was Mueller’s failure to do his job completely.

I am a lawyer. I am sick and tired of hearing how difficult the burden of beyond a reasonable doubt is to meet. Every type lawsuit, every side, has burdens to meet. The burdens on each side are onerous. Lawyers are trained to meet them. The fact that Trump is a former President should not give him a free pass.

Recognize if and when Justice indicts, the government attorney trying the case will have thousands of attorneys backing him up, all kinds of sophisticated talent and an open check book to convict Trump. It is that way in every criminal prosecution. No matter how many attorney(s) Trump hires to defend him and how much money he has available to spend, it no way will it equate with what the government will be throwing at him.

That is the way it is. So the bullshitting and crying should stop. Time for the government to move its ass.

Harry Truman was a President! Trump does not even come close to measuring up to him.

Truman loved Key West and Key West continues to love Truman.

Truman spent 11 trips visiting Key West over a period of 175 days. On this day in 1949, one of those trips concluded. It was on that day  Truman returned to Washington after a 3 week vacation at the Little White House.

Pope Francis has called on the governments of Russia and Ukraine to end the war. He is being much criticized for it. I agree with the criticism. Francis’ words give the impression both parties bear some responsibility for the war. Which is not the case.

A misstep by Francis here.

Syracuse plays Minnesota in the Pinstripe Bowl on December 29 at Yankee Stadium. Should be a huge crowd. New York City is loaded with Syracuse graduates. It will be cold. The weather will affect the play of both teams.

Syracuse plays Pitt tonight in an ACC basketball game at the Dome. Nine o’clock. Both teams 8-4 and 1-0 in ACC play.

Enjoy your day!

Happy Hanukkah!

The Jewish holiday began last night. It lasts 8 days.

I know little of the holiday. Though more I suspect than most Christians. The knowledge acquired I owe to my friends Aaron Wechter and Donna Barnett. They have spoon fed me along the way during my years in Key West.

My knowledge from the religious perspective is what is limited. The “fun” parts are what I know best.

For example, eating. Many of the foods are “oily.” Fried. Latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganiyot (donuts). Music another. Singing along in the synagogues. Gifts big! One a night for 8 nights. Considered by some to be an expanded reaction to Christmas.

A busy day ahead. On top of my already being behind. Spent a lot of time researching an item this morning I considered writing about. When I completed the research, I realized the issue was not worth writing about nor wasting your time reading. However it left me tired and time wise behind.

Anyhow, the January 6 Committee report will eat up most of the afternoon. I am a political junkie at heart. Would not miss it. Tonight, the Chart Room definitely. Meeting Steve and Cindy Thompson. Invited Laura Bateman to join us. She mentioned last week she would like to meet Steve and Cindy and pick their brains about “old” Key West. Laura lived in Key West for a time many years ago.

Mel Fisher an intrinsic part of Key West. Forever more.

Fisher died this day in 1998 at the age of 76. He spent 15 years searching before he found the mother lode of the Spanish treasure galleon Atocha in 1985. The Atocha was headed for Spain when it sank in a hurricane off the Florida Keys in 1622.

Political theorist and writer Thomas Paine published his first American Crisis essay this day in 1776. The essay’s opening words with us forever: “These are the times that try men’s souls.”

Paine also authored Common Sense.

Some Russians believe the Ukraine War has destroyed Putin’s aura of infallibility and represents the beginning of the end for him with the Russian people.

Let’s hope so!

Enjoy your day!

Syracuse’s victory over Cornell and the death of Louis Orr lead today’s blog.

Syracuse defeated Cornell 78-63. Didn’t look like it was going to be a Syracuse victory nor the slaughter it turned out to be. Cornell came into the game as the leading scorer of 3 point baskets in the nation. It was obvious they were during most of the first half. They were dropping 3’s from all over and some from long distances. At one point, Cornell had an 11 point lead.

It was all Cornell.

Then Syracuse began rallying and finished the half tied 37-37.

The second half was all Syracuse.. Syracuse totally dominated. Defense tightened. Cornell had difficulty making 3’s.

The victory was Syracuse’s fifth straight. Syracuse is now 8-4. Play Pitt at the Dome tuesday.

Louis Orr was one of Syracuse’s all time great basketball players. He died thursday of pancreatic cancer at 64.

Orr was one of the first players Boeheim recruited and coached. Orr starred at Syracuse 1976-1980. He scored 1,487 points, recovered 850 rebounds and led Syracuse to 100 victories against only 18 losses.

Boeheim described him as a great player. Even more, a great person.

There was a personal relationship between Orr and Boeheim. Orr also coached under Boeheim 1996-2000. In Boeheim’s press conference following the Cornell game, Boeheim said, “I have had a lot of great people and great players, but he’s the best of them all.” Fighting off tears, Boeheim terminated the press conference saying as he walked away, “It was hard coaching today.”

My afternoon was spent watching the game and working with Sloan.

It’s the week before Christmas. I would like to give something to each of you in the spirit of the holiday. I have decided to share a few musical items that have moved me. Not Christmas carols, though they have moved me as they do all of us. Something more personal.

I begin my Christmas giving to you with the 3 Tenors’ O Sole Mio.

Brings tear to my eyes.

Now to Trump and his digital trading cards.

We live and learn.

Trump is not the first politician to become involved in trading card sales. The Daily Beast reported yesterday Ron DeSantis did so this past May. Yes, DeSantis paved the way. Apparently DeSantis was quite the baseball player at Yale. He published and offered for sale a collection of trading cards using photos from his days as a star Yale baseball player. He was Rookie of the Year as a freshman. He batted .336 as a senior.

Five hundred “limited edition” cards were printed and sold. The cost $49 each.

Plus, 10 numbered “relic” cards autographed by DeSantis. They were sold at auction. Six sold for $3,000 each, the other 4 for at least $1,650. Friday one was listed for sale on eBay for $9,999.95. Imagine what it will go for if DeSantis becomes President.

Query: Does DeSantis’ prior involvement in the trading card business qualify Trump as a “copy cat?” A label Trump would surely love!

So much for today. Enjoy your Sunday!

Lest there be a misunderstanding, the Geiger Key reference is to a home on the island. Not the Geiger Key Restaurant and Marina.

Yesterday morning, the FBI raided a private home on Geiger Key. By SUVS with mounted turrets and water rafts. The agents themselves wore body armor and carried semiautomatic rifles.

The home was located on Mars Lane.

The raid was part of a “human trafficking” investigation. Several persons were taken into custody.

The raid began with agents announcing via a blow horn they were there and had a search warrant. Followed by a flash-bang grenade being thrown into the house. Soon followed by additional flash-bangs and smoke bombs.

Geiger Key is a sedate key. The last place a purported criminal activity as described would be expected to be taking place.

From human trafficking to church going.

A key question for Christians in the 21st century is whether the church is a hospital for sinners or an exclusive club for saints. In the recent decade, more have come to view “the church not a museum of saints, but a hospital for sinners.”

Pope Francis recently said, “I see clearly that the thing the Church needs most today is the ability to heal wounds and to warm the hearts of the faithful; it needs nearness, proximity. I see the Church a field hospital after battle.” Some interpret Francis’ words to mean “a hospital for sinners, not a museum.”

The high cost of college is being attacked in another fashion: By some colleges cutting tuition in half.

The New York Times ran an excellent article on the tuition cut 12/14 in an article by Anemona Hartocollis: “A Sign Tuition Is Too High: Some Colleges Are Slashing It In Half.”

The “slash” is being referred to in academic circles as a “tuition reset.” A relatively new approach. Presently limited to small colleges.

A leader in the field is Colby Sawyer College in New Hampshire. Its tuition was $46,000. This semester $17,500. Applications increased by 75 percent.

Today a significant one in aviation history. On this day in 1903, the Wright brothers made the first successful airplane flight. The event occurred in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. Orville piloted the gasoline powered propeller driven plane. The plane stayed afloat 12 seconds and covered 120 feet.

Steve Thompson wrote of a 1970’s Key West character called Love 22.

Love 22 was a Key West street performer. He was also in New Orleans but Key West was warmer.

He really stood out at Mallory Square. He handed out 22 dollar bills there. Twenty two cents apiece he would holler. He never stopped talking, that’s all he would do. Everything he said added up to 22.

He wore a top hat and tails in a formal black suit. With an American flag on his hat. What a hoot.

He was at sunset everyday in the 70’s. Then he suddenly disappeared from the Keys.

New Orleans gave him the key to the city one year. Then all at once he showed up back here. He looked exactly the same, he didn’t change a bit. It was 22 years, how weird can it get?

Sloan at 1:30. Syracuse/Cornell at 3.

Enjoy your day!

Only Donald could come up with the digital trading card gambit. A disgrace! Not for him personally. The man is incapable of feeling personal disgrace. The disgrace applies to the Presidency which he continues to insult.

Compounding the disgrace, Trump had the audacity to provide a 24 hour notice of the MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT which he made yesterday.

A baseball hero he is not. A clown he is. Clown cards however have no market, except perhaps initially to a limited market. Charging $99 per card, which will sell to a certain few initially: The MAGA nuts that follow him.

The money he collects does not go into a political fund. It is for his personal gain. He will only have to pay personal income taxes. If he remembers, of course.

Another Republican is in the news. Supreme Court Justice Alito. A return to fame for him.

During oral argument monday in a case involving LGBTQ rights, Alito made a joke about Black children and Klu Klux Klan attire: “You do see a lot of Black children in Klu Klux Klan outfits all the time.” Garnered a laugh from some fellow Justices and members of the  Court room audience.

Alito has been lambasted on social media since, and properly so, for the “joke’s inappropriateness.”

Nationally popular Mike Leach died this week at age 61. He was Mississippi State football coach.

Whereas the Chart Room has been my Key West haven, Captain Tony’s was Leach’s. He was a Key West regular. I am sorry to say we never met. He even had a stool with his name painted on it.

Leach’s favorite song writer and singer Jimmy Buffett. Who else. His favorite Buffett tune Last Mango in Paris.

Haircut with Lori yesterday. Her salon busy. Key West is busy. Suddenly traffic is heavy. Parking non-existent. Restaurants and bars busy, even by day.

I suspect the visitors are a new brand of snowbirds. Those who rent a house for $10,000 per month. Not those who buy and only use their second home part time.

Followed up my Lori visit with lunch at Hogfish. The luncheon crowd overwhelming. Sat at the bar to be waited on by Julia.

Julia a hard worker. She not only waits the entire bar, she also is the sole preparer of drinks for the entire restaurant. On a busy day like yesterday, she respectfully works her ass off.

I enjoyed the “workingman’s lunch.” A chicken parmigiana sandwich. Absolutely delicious!

Another exciting day ahead. A manicure and pedicure with Tammy at noon. I know, it’s a tough life. Someone has to do it. I am glad I can.

Today an important one in American history. On this day in 1773, American colonists boarded a British ship and threw more than 300 chests of tea into Boston harbor to protest tea taxes. The Boston Tea Party and other such events led to the Revolutionary War a few years later.

Syracuse/Cornell basketball tomorrow at 3 at the Syracuse Dome.

Enjoy your day!

U.S. Soccer Writer Grant Wahl died of an aortic aneurysm at the World Cup. His body was returned to New York where an autopsy was performed which determined the cause of death.

A doctor advised, “No amount of CPR or shock would have saved him.” The doctor assured there was nothing “nefarious” about his death.

I have an aortic aneurysm. Diagnosed 20 years ago. Non-operable. Recently the problem can be successfully operated on in certain patients. I am not one. My age is against it.

I can’t win.

The problem has never concerned me. I give it no thought. If and when the aneurysm pops, I’ll be dead immediately. No pain, no suffering.

Tweets are taking a beating today. Properly so. However one appeared recently concerning Key West which is honest. For that reason alone acceptable: “The harbor walk around the Key West Historic Seaport…..is one of the most picturesque walks in Key West – and a great freebie!”

Went out to lunch yesterday. The Cuban Coffee Queen.

Met an interesting young lady from Atlanta. Late 20’s. Lovely. She is vacationing alone for a week. First time in Key West. Enjoying herself.

I asked why such a lovely and charming person such as she was would be alone. She said she was not keeping company and had no one to travel with. She needed and wanted a vacation, so she was made the trip alone.

I admire her. I hate traveling alone. That is why I have not traveled in recent years.

Last night, I enjoyed Jean Thornton’s Thanksgiving dinner. She had frozen a meal for me and brought it with her from Birmingham. I pigged out on turkey and stuffing.

Noon time exciting today. I will be out again. A haircut with Lori. Then lunch somewhere.

It has been reported Trump rents a storage unit in West Palm Beach. The question is being asked why. Mar-a-Lago has 58 bedrooms, 33 bathrooms and 3 bomb shelters.

Trump announced yesterday he would be making a major announcement tonight. He did not advise time or channel. His announcement was made on his own Truth Social.

Respectfully, no, not respectfully, actually, he looked like a first class asshole.

Trump tweeted his announcement last night with a a “superhero-themed” video. With “fantastical music” blaring in the the background, he animated in pose as Superman in front of Trump Tower. He ripped his business suit open to reveal a chiseled T-logo body suit and laser like eyes. Followed underneath by : MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT Dec. 15.

A bizarre pop video. Totally unpresidential for a former President.

David DePape is the man under arrest for having attacked Nancy Pelosi’s husband with a hammer. The police announced yesterday that DePape had a “hit list.” On it was Tom Hanks.

Why Tom Hanks?

Enjoy your day!

Good time at lunch yesterday. Geiger Key with Laura Bateman and Mark Lazenby. Richmond, Virginia residents.

I met Laura last week when I was having dinner with Jean and Joe Thornton. I bought dinner for our group that evening. Laura insisted on reciprocating at some time. I told her to call me.

Yesterday was the day. She even picked me up and drove.

Laura had written and mentioned a friend Mark Lazenby would be joining us. Mark has a condo in Fort Lauderdale and was driving down to be with Laura for a few days. He would meet us on his drive to Key West.

Geiger Key’s atmosphere was its usual calm beautiful self. The company added to its special flavor.

The conversation covered many things. Family, post COVID effects, Greece, London, Beefeater gin, Richmond, Key West, etc.

I found two items especially interesting. Mark is suffering post COVID as I. Other than work, he remains home as he did when avoiding the COVID bug. He was finding it difficult now to get himself out.

Laura lived in Key West at one time. She finds today’s Key West expensive. Especially groceries. She has rented a house for several weeks. Went to Publix for groceries. The expensive nature of the groceries blew her out! Way more than Richmond.

I had mentioned to Laura when we had dinner last week how it was next to impossible to get Beefeater in Key West. I meant at a bar. She thought overall. So she had Mark pick up a bottle for me in Fort Lauderdale.

I came out a winner! Free lunch, a bottle of Beefeater and some very interesting company.

I heard an interesting comment today on Morning Joe re Olive Garden. I was able to locate it on the internet afterwards.

Home office Olive Garden has fired a manager of one of its Kansas restaurants. The dismissal turned on a message the manager had sent to all her employees. Concerned taking time off. Part of the message read as follows: “If you’re sick, you need to prove it to us. If your dog died, you need to bring him in and prove it to me. If it’s a ‘family emergency’ and you can’t say, too bad. Go work somewhere else.”

I came across an interesting article on the internet. Concerned tampons and the inquiring minds of some men.

Some tampons are labeled R and L. Women know why. Men do not. Aroused the male curiosity. Men were asking the question as to what was the difference between “right” and “left” tampons.

The answer. The correct one. The one all women know: The R stands for “Regular” indicating a normal, middle of the road period flow. While the L stands for “Light” which is used on days when the flow is – you guessed it – lighter than average.

Males of the world now know. Ain’t no right or left involved.

Krysten Sinema’s decision to leave the Democratic Party fell upon the Democrats like a black cloud. A Democratic operative said, “Her party switch is an electoral grenade, and she just pulled the pin.”

One of Key West’s most proud and popular buildings is the Custom House.

The contract for its construction was awarded this day in 1888. The building was completed in the later part of 1891. Total cost of construction $107,955.96.

Imagine the millions it would cost to erect today!

Many the great thought was put into words by Winston Churchill. So many. I came across one this morning which I share: “The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.”

Enjoy your day!

Robert Frost requires no special introduction. One of America’s outstanding poets.

As with other literary giants such as Ernest Hemingway and Tennessee Williams, he discovered Key West. He made it his winter home for 19 years from 1941 to 1960.

His winter home still stands at 410 Caroline Street. It is attached to the rear of the Heritage House Museum which actually fronts at the address. The two structures together are referred to as the Heritage House Museum and Robert Frost Cottage.

From 1995 through 2010, the structures were operated as such. Unfortunately, they failed economically and closed its doors. Today the structures are a private residence.

Pictures of saturday night’s Boat Parade appear in today’s Key West News. They are best described as magnificent and flamboyant. Much better decorated than years ago when I was fortunate to do three of the Boat Parades actually on a boat.

Several years ago, a major move took place to remove Confederate statues and Confederate names from buildings. Blacks were primarily responsible. They felt anything Confederate bespoke of what their ancestors had suffered at the hands of the South.

I disagreed then and now. No question, blacks were terribly wronged. However, I have always felt Confederates and the horrible treatment of blacks were part of our history and should remain as they were whether by statue or name of a building. The treatment was part of American history. It should be represented by statues and names. Also taught in all its gory details in our schools.

The movement to remove succeeded. Many statues came tumbling down and buildings were renamed.

I make mention of the issue again because of an article I came across this morning. It involves Confederate General A.P. Hill and Richmond, Virginia. Richmond’s last Confederate statue was removed yesterday.

Hill’s statue was located in the center of a busy Richmond intersection. All other statues had been removed during the summer of 2020. However, Hill’s statue stood over his grave. The General was buried beneath it. Litigation by Hill’s family extended the time frame for removal.

Litigation is still ongoing. The family wants the General’s body to be buried beneath the statue in a public cemetery.

Which brings me to the issue and Key West.

Mallory Square is one of the most famous spots in Key West. Hundreds gather nightly to watch the setting sun and the carnival aspects that have become part of Mallory Square’s life.

Mallory Square is named after Stephen Mallory. Mallory a resident of Key West. He was a U.S. Senator representing Florida from 1851-1860. When the Civil War began, Florida seceded. Mallory resigned his Senate seat and became the Confederacy’s Secretary of the Navy. He remained such during the entire Civil War.

Near Mallory Squire there stands a gated community of busts. Those whose busts are located there are said to have represented the best of Key West. Mallory’s bust is one of those featured. As well as those of several others who openly supported the Confederacy.

At some point following the Civil War, Mallory’s son became a Congressman and then Senator representing Florida.

There was minimal talk about stripping Mallory’s name from the Square and removing the bust. Nothing ever came of it.

Then there is a lovely white Pavilion in Bayview Park. Its construction and planning paid for by the United Daughters of the Confederacy in 1924. The pavilion was built in honor of the Soldiers and Sailors of the Confederacy. A large stone in the Pavilion’s base spells out the dedication.

A couple of years ago, a move developed in Key West to rename the Pavilion. It succeeded. It is now known as “One Human Family.”

A hundred years ago, Key West was a power base for those who were anti-black. In 1921, the head of the Klu Klux Klan for Florida resided in Key West and the Klan’s state offices were here.

Key West is selective in how it handles the problem.

We live in anti-Semitic times. The whole U.S. experiencing the problem. Actually, the world.

Italy was partners with Germany during World War II. Mussolini and Hitler were close birds of a feather. Except when it came to Jews. The Italian people were not anti-Semitic and did not support Hitler’s anti-Jewish activities.

The fact that the Italian people were not cooperating in the  German extermination plan exasperated Joseph Goebbels who said: “The Italians are extremely lax in their treatment of Jews. They protect Italian Jews both in Tunisia and occupied France, and won’t permit their being drafted for work or compelled to wear the Star of David.”

Syracuse played Monmouth last night. Syracuse won 86-71.

It looked like Syracuse might not win in the first half. Monmouth is a non-entity. I think Class C. Its record coming into the game 1-9. Not distinguishing. Understand the reason why a small school like Monmouth plays a big school like Syracuse is money. Monmouth received $80,000 for playing Syracuse last night.

The score at half time had Syracuse up by 2 points 42-40. I was nervous. Monmouth was dropping 3s in from all over.

Things turned around in the second half. Monmouth stopped making 3s and Syracuse began playing basketball.

Enjoy your day!

It was 1974. Steve Thompson was relatively new to Key West.

The “beach” at the time was the Sands Beach. No longer exists as such. Today the location of the Reach Hotel. The beach for the Reach. Small. Still the finest beach in Key West.

Steve was swimming at the Sands. Stepped on a sea unrchin. Following is his experience together with treatment received at the DePoo Hospital.

My first hospital visit was the strangest yet. A green stucco building that looked more like a veterinarian’s office.

The DePoo Hospital was in the center of old town. Surrounded by houses on Southard Street. 

I showed up with Sea Urchin quills stuck in my feet. The emergency room doctor was taking a nap. He looked like a cranky old Cuban, short and fat. A cigar in the ashtray and a white coat on a hook. 

Nothing seemed like it was “by the book.” 

I’m not sure he spoke English, he didn’t say a word. He just looked at my foot and went right to work. I though he would take tweezers and pull them out. Instead, he started slapping my foot about.

At first, I thought maybe I should run. I found out later, that’s how it’s done. The quills have to break down internally. The slapping starts the process naturally.

I wasn’t surprised when they closed DePoo down. Now I miss the one hospital in old town.

There is a DePoo Hospital today on Kennedy. Attractive building. Never been there. Apparently they do things the Lower Keys Medical Center on Stock Island does not. Like drug addiction treatment.

The building that housed the DePoo Hospital that treated Steve still stands. Condominiums.

Syracuse/Georgetown played saturday. What a game! Syracuse won 83-64.

The game started slowly for Syracuse. Georgetown was quickly ahead 17-6. I was in pain! Then Syracuse came back. A basket at a time. Ultimately winning by 19 points.

The team played like Syracuse of old. Everything perfect. The zone effective, Syracuse controlling the backboards and making most of its free throws, etc.

Jesse Edwards is turning into a top center. Six foot eleven inches. Scored 20 points, grabbed 11 rebounds, blocked 5 shots and was resonsible for 3 assists. He made 10 of his 14 shots.

Georgetown is coached by Patrick Ewing. Georgetown star center All American  in the 1980’s. When Georgetown was coached by John Thompson, Syracuse by Jim Boeheim. At saturday’s game, Boeheim still coaching and opposed by Ewing now Georgetown’s coach. An indication of how long Boeheim has been coaching.

It is dark every morning when I begin researching the day’s blog. The weather report was to the effect that a dense fog would cover most of south Florida this morning. I did not begin writing till night turned into day. Sat outside waiting for the sun to rise. It rose bright and shiny. No fog.

There are instances where it takes time for justice to triumph. One was announced yesterday. Thirty four years later.

On December 21, 1988, Pan Am flight 103 was on a flight to New York. It exploded over Lockerbie, Scotland. All 259 passengers aboard and 11 persons on the ground were killed.

Thirty five of the passengers were Syracuse University students returning home after having participated in a travel abroad program.

The suspected bomb maker was intelligence agent Abu Agila Masud. It was announced yesterday he had been extradited from Libya to the United States and will stand trial in federal court in Washington, D.C.

I was disappointed when the Mueller investigation failed to impeach Trump. It seems that no one is successful at impeaching him. He is the teflon man.

I’m sick of it. Trump commits so many wrongs and is never held responsible. Prosecutors get jerked around and play Trump’s game instead of their own. No one seems to want to make the move for the ultimate kill: Indictment and conviction.

The January 6 Committee has impressed me. Till now. Here they are at the end of their service. They must shit or get off the pot. True, they lack the power to indict. However, they have the power to recommend to the Justice Department the names of those they believe should be indicted.

The Committee was supposed to reveal the names of those they were recommending yesterday. They did not. They moved the “reporting date” to December 21.

Will Trump “slide” again? I hope not.

If I had $150 billion, I could be the nut Elon Musk is revealing himself to be. A shame!

Over the weekend, Musk announced he was after Dr. Fauci. Thinks America’s hero a phony. Musk wrote, “My pronouns are Prosecute/Fauci.”

Former CIA Director John Brennan came up with one of the best retorts to Musk’s words: “You have money, but no class.”

Part of a game that has taken several years to develop is coming to light. The very rich emboldened Trump. They hid behind his skirts, but contributed to the success he attained. The rich feel they have won. They can now come out from behind the trees. Reveal themselves. They no longer need Trump. They can do and say crazy things on their own. Musk beating up on Fauci one of those things.

Enjoy your day!