I TOLD YOU I WAS SICK

One of the first things a visitor to Key West learns is of the Key West Cemetery. Especially the writing on some of the stones.

The most famous is “I Told You I Was Sick.”

Amusing. Can’t help but laugh.

There are other noteworthy sayings. Like “I Always Dreamed Of Owning A Small Piece of Key West.”

Message from Garcia: Visit the Cemetery. Take a leisurely walk through. The messages tell the Key West story.

Some jobs have their scary moments. Take the engineers operating a train engine over a new bridge and tracks for the first time. The purpose of the trip to determine if the the tracks and bridge are safe.

Such occurred this day in 1912. Florida East Coast Railroad engine #201 arrived in Key West at 2:45 am. It was the first engine and crew to cross the Bahia Honda bridge. The purpose of the trip was to test new tracks in the Lower Keys.

Can you imagine if the tracks or bridge failed? The engineers and crew must have made the trip with their hearts in their throats.

The Supreme Court continues to be embarrassed by the leak. Now it is the formal report of the investigation of the leak.

I wrote yesterday how it sucked, its weaknesses. One weakness mentioned was the Justices were not interviewed. That one hit the wall. Immediate adverse clamoring that the Justices were given a pass.

The Court’s response was swift. Yesterday, it was revealed the Justices were informally questioned. No statement taken from any of them nor affidavits attesting to the veracity of what they were saying.

Which contributes further to the stink arising out of the leak.

Re the leak, Joan Biskespic, CNN Senior Supreme Court Analyst, wrote on 1/20: “Overall, it is paradoxical that an institution that cloaks itself in secrecy and casts itself above other Washington institutions would be exposed on such a sieve.”

The Supreme Court is supposedly most knowledgeable and honest. No Bible needed with them. Till recently. Its human weaknesses now being exposed.

There is a way to have conducted an inquiry as to the source of the leak. One the Justices had to know about. One most attorneys are.

Whenever something of magnitude arises requiring investigation and so there will be neither conflict nor question as to method or result is to hire a major law firm with experience in such investigations. There are respected firms nationally that specialize in such work.

It’s not too late. The Court should retain one to do the job. even to the extent of deposing the Justices.

America has lost faith in one of its most cherished and respected institutions.

Support for Ukraine is showing a crack in the dyke this week. First time.

Ukraine says it needs heavy tanks. Leopard 2 tanks. There are 2,000 sitting in NATO European countries. Ukraine says the war is at a point where the tanks are needed in order to have continued success. No tanks and Ukraine may be buried.

Euro NATO with one exception is willing to do what it can. Those that have Leopard tanks are willing to share. The one exception is Germany. Germany has been talking a big game throughout the war about the necessity to support Ukraine. Problem is Germany. Germany has not put its money and equipment where its mouth is. They have done less than many.

Germany has the largest number of Leopard tanks in Europe. They say they are willing to share if the U.S. says it is ok and will do similar sharing.

The U.S. has not openly taken a position. Note however the U.S. has given more in money and equipment than any other nation. Biden’s problem is he does not want to give Putin a reason to say NATO has stepped over the line. Which means Putin will attack other European nations and perhaps even the U.S. We’re talking nuclear war if such occurs.

The U.S. does not have Leopard tanks. It does have a comparable, however. In huge numbers. Nine thousand to be exact. The MI Abraham tank.

Assume for the moment, Germany and the U.S. ship the tanks requested to Ukraine. Such it is claimed will make it possible for Ukraine to win their nation back. I don’t know. Beyond my mental capacities. One thing I believe however is that the war will only be won when Ukraine is able to physically attack Russia itself. Bomb Russian cities. Make the Russian people suffer. As the Allies did in World War II with Germany.

Heavy are the burdens resting on Biden’s shoulders. May God show him the correct path.

Busy day ahead.

Syracuse and Georgia Tech at noon. Who knows who will win? I have given up with predictions.

Sloan thereafter.

Tonight, dinner at La Te Da with Jean and Joe Thornton.

Enjoy your day!

SHORTY’S CAFE KEY WEST 1970’s-1980’s

Shorty’s Café was located at 215 Duval Street in the 1970’s and 1980’s. Same block as Sloppy Joe’s. Just a few doors up the street.

Today, Shorty’s Market. Different owner, different type business. An open front market and deli.

Back in the 70’s and 80’s, a popular café. Steve Thompson a daily visitor. One of Steve’s taco stands across the street.

As Steve wrote…..

Shorty’s Café opened early each day. The most punctual place in the keys I would say.

It had a counter around the perimeter of the place. Horse shoe. So you were facing every other hung over face.

A.J. ran the place like a ship at sea. Stainless galley as clean as could be. 

His mother ran the cash register and kept a sharp eye. If anyone pulled anything you just knew they would die.

We all went there every morning, it wasn’t far. Some mornings it looked like a star-wars bar.

A.J. owned the conch house next to Sloppy Joe’s. When he sold it, we were sure sad to see him go.

Remember the leak of the Dobbs case! The Supreme Court finally issued a report following what was described as an investigation as to who leaked the case. The report advised the identity of the leaker could not be determined.

The report was issued yesterday.

The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Marshall in charge of the Supreme Court. The investigation, or any type investigation for that matter, is not part of the job description for the U.S. Marshall, nor did the Marshall have the investigative experience to conduct such an investigation.

No Justices were questioned. At the very least, Alito and Thomas should have been. Actually, all the Justices. Plus, Jinny Thomas.

An overall lousy investigation. A white wash.

There is a growing lack of confidence in the Supreme Court. Any wonder!

A local New Mexico prosecutor advised yesterday that Alec Baldwin would be charged with 2 counts of involuntary manslaughter.

I consider the charges bush league made by an inept prosecutor who appears to be seeking fame and glory.

Let’s see how this plays out in the final analysis.

Donald Trump has used and abused the judicial system for years now. Like it belongs to him. His court room failures speak well for the type of cases he brings. Mostly to delay, buy time.

A federal judge sitting in south Florida has finally said…..ENOUGH!

The Federal Rules of Procedure are clear. If an attorney or client bring a baseless lawsuit, they can be fined for wasting the court’s time and taxpayer monies. The type lawsuit is described as “frivolous” and the fine is labeled a “sanction.”

The judge was in charge of Trump’s lawsuit against Hillary Clinton

The sanction just under $1 million, to wit: $937,989. Trump and his attorneys must personally pay it.

The judge wrote in his opinion re the sanctions: The lawsuit’s “inadequacy as a legal claim was evident from the start.” The judge further chastised Trump for his “pattern” of misusing courts for his political agenda.

Enjoy your day!

 

 

 

GEORGE SANTOS DRAG QUEEN

George Santos has been many things. Some true, some false.

His most recent background item appears to have been his time as a drag queen.

Bess Levin is an excellent investigative reporter. She comes up with some beauties. She reveals one which Santos has failed to list. Perhaps because this one is true.

Levin spells it out in her 1/18 article in Vanity Fair titled “Report: George Santos, Supporter of Anti-LGBTQ + Laws, Participated In Drag Shows And Went By The Name ‘Katara’ In Brazil.”

Levin wrote, the “serial liar” has more. What she further shared adds to the veracity of her article. The article contains a photo of Santos in drag. Not bad looking!

Levin adds: “Meanwhile, he’s aligned himself with deeply bigoted members of the far right.” She describes Santos’ switch from drag queen to opposing gay rights as “flagrant hypocrisy.”

Debt ceiling problems begin kicking in today. Slowly at this point. Nothing but talk will occur. Impacts will slowly rise into June. The government knows how to borrow from Peter to pay Paul to pay debts till then.

I spell out again some of the areas in danger: Social Security, Medicare, salaries of government employees, Veteran benefits, and a crashing stock market.

Whacko statement of the day: “Not all students who menstruate are female.” So sayeth Minnesota Democrat Rep. Sandra Feist. She wants napkins/tampons available in school male bathrooms as well as female ones. She introduced a bill to that effect: The Menstrual Equity Bill.

Reaction to her bill was all one way. Buried Feist’s position with fact and ridicule.

The oldest person in the world died yesterday. A French nun. Sister Andre. She was 118.

Records kept in the U.S. estimate that 1 in 5,000 people are above the age of 100. Eighty five percent are women – a phenomenon not well understood. The new “oldest person in the world” today is American Maria Branyas Morers who is 115.

Two movies filmed in Key West in the late 1950’s.

One is the Rose Tattoo. Written by Key West’s own Tennessee Williams. Filmed on Duncan Street in a house 2 doors from Williams’ home. Lisa also lives on Duncan 1 1/2 blocks away.

Filming began this day in 1956. Anna Mangani and Burt Lancaster starred. Mangani won the Academy Award for Best Female Performance for the film. Lancaster was a guest in Williams’ home during much of the filming.

Another movie filmed in Key West is Operation Petticoat. Filming began this day in 1959. The movie starred Cary Grant and Tony Curtis. A World War II submarine comedy.

The movie continues to be run on TV on a frequent basis. It’s that good!

Another Steve Thompson story re Key West of another day.

Steve had a taco shop in the 200 block of Duval across from Sloppy Joe’s. Stan was an owner of Sloppy’s at one time.

Stan was the owner of Sloppy Joe’s in 1973. When he took an option to sell to Walter Perry.

I enjoyed visiting with Stan at the bar. We were both open late and he wasn’t far.

He said he only hired female bartenders. I guess they attracted more big spenders.

I asked him what happened to the other pool table. He said he had a fight there last week was nearly fatal. He said we never have trouble but when we do you can be sure it’s someone playing pool.

Stan said Walter exercised the option on the very last day. He thought the deal was off, he thought they couldn’t pay.

So that was the end of Sloppy’s for Stan, but every tourist still goes there if they can.

Enjoy your day!

WHAT HAPPENS IN THE LADIES ROOM STAYS IN LADIES ROOM

“What happens in the ladies room stays in ladies room.” An extension of the Vegs saying.

It was the first day of the Speaker vote. Three female representatives were in the ladies room. Rep. Debbie Dingell reported on the confrontation between Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene and Lauren Boebert. A brief strong argument between Greene and Boebert. Subject matter concerned why one was not supporting McCarthy’s election.

Nothing more known except after a hurried exchange of words, one immediately exited the ladies room.

On this day in 1991, Eastern Airlines went out of business. Closed down for good.

I was shocked. Never expected a giant airline such as Eastern to go under. Eastern has been operating for more than 60 years. It had been my carrier of choice.

Jimmy Buffett and the Coral Reefer Band will appear on two separate evenings in February. February 9 and 11 at the Coffee Butler Amphitheatre. Tickets $99 for general admission lawn and $149 for reserved seating. The Amphitheater’s capacity 3,500.

Buffett a son of Key West. His success was born here. Even though an international star, he found the time over the years to appear and do a free concert. Generally on Duval. People packed the streets for blocks.

It appears Buffett concerts have gone the way of housing in Key West. Expensive! Sad also. His free street appearances were a wonderful tribute and thank you to his beginnings. Locals benefitted. Fewer locals and more tourists will be at the Amphitheater. Many will have come in just for the concerts. The hotels and restaurants will do a booming business.

I take nothing away from Buffett. A great person and entertainer. Generous in many respects. If this is how it now is, so be it. Leaves a bit of sour taste in my mouth, however.

Enjoy your day!

WHAT HAPPENS IF NATIONAL DEBT LIMIT BREACHED

The most important issue facing the U.S. today is dealing with the national debt limit. Its ceiling is being reached. It must be paid. Failure to do so will, not may, result in economic disaster the likes of apparently not comprehended by Congressional Republicans nor the American people.

Default will make 1929 pale in comparison.

There have been a number of articles written this past week setting forth the consequences of a default. One of the best is that published in the New York Times 1/13 titled “The U.S. May Finally Breach The Debt Ceiling. Here’s Why That Would Be Very Bad.”

I am analyzing the problem in a two fold fashion, as the New York Times did.

Just approaching the debt limit can hurt the economy. It happened in 2011. Congressional Republicans and Obama engaged in a standoff. It was resolved just in time to actually avoid hitting the limit.

The result nevertheless had dire consequences. Coming close rattled investors, consumers and business owners. Stock prices plunged. Markets became volatile. It took the economy a half year to recover.

Interest rates rose. Mortgage rates jumped substantially. Home buying died.

The S&P downgraded the U.S.’ credit rating for the first time.

Consumer confidence and small business optimism plunged.

Note, all these things occurred where no default occurred. One came close, but only close.

The economy will have far worse consequences if the U.S. fails to pay the debt and a breach occurs.

Investors would demand higher interest rates on U.S. borrowing. Interest payments would rise dramatically.

The stock market would nose dive. Employee invest plans drop dramatically.

International bond markets would destabilize. U.S. Treasury bonds would no longer be seen as one of the safest investments in the world.

The U.S. would not be able to pay the salaries of federal employees.

Social Security checks would not go out.

Ten percent of the American economy would be killed immediately.

Three million jobs would be lost.

A 30 year mortgage would increase by an additional $130,000.

And finally, the national debt. Republicans are preaching how high it is and they intend to reduce it. Well, a default in meeting the pay the nation’s one year of bills would automatically result in $850 billion being added on to the national debt.

Congressional Republicans are balancing an economic nuclear bomb on their fingertips by playing the game they are. I cannot help but wonder if they actually know what they are doing.

Last night not Tom Brady’s time. The Cowboys beat the Bucs 31-14.

Brady did not play his usual game. One of the worst playoff games in his 23 year career.

Brady is 46. Time to pack it in. Retire.

He will still be recognized as the greatest professional quarterback in history. Perhaps the greatest professional pro football player ever.

Syracuse lost to Miami last night 82-78. Too bad. It would have been Syracuse’s biggest win of the season. Miami is ranked #17.

Syracuse fell short in the last minute of the game. Mintz made a “freshman mistake” and what might have been a win became a sure loss.

Such is life!

The South continues to fight the Civil War. Assholes one and all.

Martin Luther King Jr. is a federal holiday. Mississippi and Louisiana cannot let go their Confederate spirit. They celebrate the same day honoring Robert E. Lee. Both States refer to the day as King-Lee Day.

Virginia did the same till 2000. Arizona till 2018.

An icon and diva of the American and Italian cinema died yesterday. Gina Lollobrigida. She was 95.

On this day in 1961, President Eisenhower delivered his farewell address. In it, he warned against the “military-industrial complex.”

Over the years, his words have gone unheeded. Now, the complex is too big to control. We’re stuck with it.

Enjoy your day!

 

 

 

I HAVE A DREAM

Parts of Martin Luther King’s “I Have A Dream” speech were improvised while the speech was being delivered.

A formal speech had been prepared the day before. The text reduced to writing. King had it with him and was reading from it as his speech began.

During his reading of the seventh paragraph, something that can only be described as extraordinary happened.

Mahalia Jackson shouted out “tell them about the ‘dream.'” Few heard her. Ted Kennedy was one.

King pushed “the text of his prepared remarks to one side of the lectern…..shifted gears…..gave himself over to the spirit of the moment.”

King than improvised the second half of his speech which included the “I have a dream” refrain. It included in thought, though not in preciseness, similar words spoken by him 2 months earlier at Cobo Hall in Detroit.

Those words now frozen in time.

It will be a bit warmer today. Though 7 at the moment and only 54 degrees in Key West, the temperature will rise to 70 today.

Facebook ran a cartoon today re the cold blanketing Florida. Someone asked while standing by a refrigerator: What’s in the freezer? An old geezer sitting in a rocking chair responded: Florida!

Came across a statement applicable to me on Facebook: “I have reached an age where my mind says I CAN DO THAT. But my body says, try it and you’ll be sorry.”

Learned by me the hard way!

I watched the Miami/Buffalo game yesterday. Fully expected Buffalo to devastate Miami. Began with Buffalo quickly going ahead 17-0.

The game ended with Buffalo winning by a mere 3 points 34-31. Obviously, it turned into a very exciting competitive game.

Nature is destroying our planet. Man causing nature to do so, of course.

The destruction a constant one. Radical storms a yearly happening. California flooding and hurricanes in the east reflective of the trend.

Many are its effects. Side repercussions. Insurance company failures will be one. There will not be enough money in their tills to meet their contractual obligations.

The U.S. has had what might be described on occasion as days not its finest. One this day in 1919, the 18th amendment was ratified banning alcohol consumption.

On this day in 1412, the Medici family was appointed official banker of the Papacy. Like making Al Capone Secretary of the Treasury.

Enjoy your day!

 

PIC DAY

I rarely go out in my old age. It is not my age actually that is the reason. COVID did it. I was fearful of becoming infected. Became a recluse. Stayed in. Did not go out except for doctor and hospital visits for 342 days. Now, I can’t kick the habit.

I did go out last thursday evening as I mentioned the other day. Dinner at Antonia’s with Dan and Lisa Riordon of Skaneateles, N.Y. Dan and Lisa have been Key West visitors for 18 years. Generally, the month of January. Now, January and February.

Die hard Syracuse fans.

They owned and operated a restaurant in Skaneateles for years. Sold it 3 years ago. A tough business. Now enjoying life.

I had not been out in more than 3 weeks when we had dinner at Antonia’s. The smile on our faces tell the story. We had a wonderful time!

I promised them we would go out again this week.

 

 

Picture #2 relates to another blog I wrote last week. The one where I was best man at Bob and Helen Marks’ wedding 42 years ago in Maine.

I mentioned I had hair at the time. Something lacking at this stage of my life. Several wrote and asked if I had any photos showing hair. I recalled Bob and Helen’s wedding photo and had them send it to me. I was 47 when the photo was taken.

Look at the that full head of hair! Amazing!

I was also thin. No more.

 

 

Syracuse/Notre Dame last night. A great game! Syracuse won 78-73. The victory itself not the story. it is the way Syracuse achieved the victory.

Syracuse was behind by 4 at half. No big deal. It was close most of the first half.

Notre Dame is a 3 point shooting team. All 5 players pop up the 3’s. They were dropping like rain drops. All over the place. Notre Dame made 15 3 pointers in the first 30 minutes of the game.

Notre Dame could not miss. Especially in the first 8 minutes of the second half. With 12 minutes remaining, Syracuse was down 12 points. On its way to losing. Even Boeheim thought so. In his post game interview, he said, “Heck of a comeback, we were in jeopardy.”

Boeheim’s coaching genius came into play at that point. He put 4 freshmen on the floor and went into a full court press. Turned the game around! Notre Dame lost its cool. The freshmen began making Syracuse 3’s.

Most people are unaware what a bee hive of Ku Klux Klan activity Key West was 100 years ago.

The story.

The Ku Klux Klan was established in Key West in the early 1920’s. Always a reason for something to occur. In this instance, Key West’s Black community was organizing. The white population feared the activity.

Marcus Garvey, a black man and international figure in the national black equality movement, visited Key West. Garvey was in effect the Martin Luther King Jr. of his day.

Key West leaders gathered together to establish the Klan in the Keys.

Charles Ketchum of Key West became the Grand Dragon for the State of Florida. Key West became the headquarters for the State organization. Its offices were located on Eaton Street.

Violence and terror erupted in South Florida under Ketchum. Florida experienced more lynchings per capita than any other State in the Union.

Hard to believe such occurred. Key West today is the Home of One Human Family.

A 2022 Syracuse University study found that a taxpayer in the lowest and middle income brackets was five times more likely to face an audit than a member in the highest bracket.

The millionaires, billionaires and corporations do not face the same abuse.

On this day in 2009, Pilot “Sully” Sullenberger performed the “Miracle on the Hudson.” By so doing, he averted a major disaster. His heroic display of skill and composure responsible..

Sully was piloting a US Airways flight which collided with a flock of geese. His engines failed. The plane was carrying 150 passengers and 5 crew members.

Sully safely landed the plane on the Hudson River. An impossible feat. All lives were saved.

Sully became an instantaneous American hero. Deservedly so!

Wear long pants, sweater or jacket and go to the gardens later today. A treat of treat awaits. Terri White sings!

Enjoy your Sunday!

 

 

 

MALE LEGISLATORS COULD END UP WEARING SKIRTS AND PANTY HOSE

Male legislators could end up wearing skirts and panty hose. With the skirts required to be 3 inches above the knee. I kid you not. What is good for the goose is good for the gander.

The Missouri House has tightened the dress code for its female members. They are henceforth required to wear clothing covering their arms. The full requirement: Female lawmakers must cover their arms and wear blazers while in the State Capitol.

The same old story in operation again. Men controlling what should be a right solely within the judgment of a woman. It is the abortion story all over again. Men have this inherent need to dominate the other sex. I suspect because they feel the male gender is weakening and women are taking over.

Women are taking over in many respects. They are a growing power politically. Even to the level of state legislatures. They can perform two tasks at one time whereas men are lucky to do one and do it properly. How many women work full time, take care of a family, and perform a multitude of other tasks?

Again, I believe men fear women. Especially the women of today.

The strange thing about Missouri was a Republican female legislator, Ann Kelley, proposed the law as an amendment to a House dress code which was passed in 2021 which required women to wear a “dress or skirt or slacks worn with a blazer or sweater and appropriate dress shoes or boots.” Kelley’s position is that is is “essential to always maintain a formal and professional atmosphere.”

Democrats, especially the women, called it “ridiculous.” Kelley amended her proposal to include “cardigans” in lieu of jackets, but still required a woman’s arms to be covered.

So was born the new dress code for the female House members.

Beware Missouri male legislators. Ladies are tough. They have memories like elephants. They continue to grow in numbers and will be in the majority in the Missouri House and in many other states within a decade or two. Then the retribution. They won’t bother with male arms. Your lower extremities will be of concern. Short skirts and panty hose! Deserving retaliation!

It might not bother some. There must be one, two or more male members who enjoy cross dressing.

Laugh not. Did you ever think abortion would be where it is at today? Did you think in the slightest that a legislature would vote for its female members to wear clothing covering their arms today?

What has happened in Missouri is a reflection of increasing male insecurity.

A shark was in the waters of Fort Zachary Taylor beach January 8. Near the Naval Air Station property. It “appeared to be a large shark.” Its victim received puncture wounds to his thigh, knee and calf area.

We are into another cold spell. Eight in the morning and 62 degrees. The high today will only be 64 degrees. Tonight 57. Tomorrow the high 61 and low 57. Projected to warm up monday. Slowly, however. The high 70, low 66. If you are a resident, anything 74 degrees and lower is cold.

The debt ceiling problem has its beginnings this friday. Will be an increasing problem till June. If not dealt with, disaster will befall the U.S. economically. Simple.

The Republicans played the debt ceiling card twice in the past 15 years. Failed for them each time. As it will fail again. Many in the U.S. will be hurt during the process. Social Security recipients at some point will stop receiving their checks. That is when the real disaster will hit on a practical basis. Many live on the meager amounts in those checks.

Love Bess Levin! A comment by her re George Santos: “George Santos, one week away from claiming to be Ronald Reagan’s biological son.”

A falsehood, of course.

A recent Bess Levin article concerned Donald Trump and North Korea. It appears in Vanity Fair 1/13 and is titled: “Donald Trump wanted To Nuke North Korea.”

The substance of the article to the effect that Trump desired to nuke North Korea and blame it on another country. Levin claims recent information reveals Trump spent much of 2017 suggesting such action “behind closed doors in the Oval Office.”

I enjoyed a long and cheerful dinner with Dan and Lisa Riordon thursday night at Antonia’s. Our last time together was a year ago when they were visiting.

It was the first time in years I have dined at Antonia’s. Never changes. Always the best atmosphere and food.

TK was bartending. Donna and Terri enjoying dinner at the bar. it was good to see them.

Terri is singing at Kate Miano’s Gardens sunday.

Syracuse/Notre Dame tonight at 7. My fingers are crossed.

Enjoy your day!

REPUBLICANS INTENTIONALLY BLIND…..FAIL TO ACKNOWLEDGE HOW BIDEN HAS HELPED ORDINARY TAXPAYERS

The first bill passed by the new Republican House majority was to slash $80 billion from the Inflation Reduction Act Biden had signed into law. Told the American public the purpose of Biden’s $80 billion was to hire 87,000 new IRS agents to pursue and audit them. They also justified the slash claiming some of the monies were to arm the agents with guns. Threatening and scary.

An outright lie. The Inflation Reduction Act made it clear that the purpose of the $80 billion was to make “millionaires, billionaires, and corporations” pay taxes. The three groups that either successfully avoid paying taxes or pay little. The law also was to add technological upgrades to IRS processing.

Yesterday, it was announced that the IRS had sent out 12 million tax refunds totaling nearly $15 billion after making corrections to taxes that were filed. The refunds averaged $1,232. The Republicans have made no mention of this refund.

Why the refund? Another Biden law made it possible. The American Rescue Plan of 2021. Biden signed it into law 3/21. The portion of the law requiring the refund concerned itself with taxpayers who overpaid on unemployment compensation in 2020. It excluded “up to $10,200 in unemployment compensation from taxable income allocations.”

The refunds impacted single taxpayers and married couples whose modified adjusted gross incomes were less than $150,000 in 2020.

Doesn’t sound to me like Biden was out to get the ordinary lower echelon taxpayer?

Two years in office and Biden signs 2 laws helpful to everyday American wage earners. Yet the devious House Republicans fail to even mention it. I’m sure they were aware of both laws and how they worked. Isn’t it their job to know?

The 1915 House of Representatives are reflective of a backward and repressive mentality similar to the new Republican House members. The 1915 House rejected 204-174 a proposed Constitutional amendment to give women nationwide the right to vote.

The new Republican House has only been in business 3 days. Their extreme views are like bugs coming out of the wood work. Good! Let the nation see what and who they are. The American people do not want extreme. They do not want political wars. They want their government to care for the peoples’ ordinary everyday needs.

Such was the election message of 2022. The Republicans are deaf and blind to it. They will pay a worse penalty in the next election.

Prohibition was a national tragedy. Key West experienced its share in getting rid of the booze this day in 1925. It was “legal sunshine” day at the Key West Custom House. Authorities poured various brands of confiscated liquor into the ocean near the western foot of Greene Street.

The fish got drunk!

On this day in 1969, I sat with my father in his living room watching Super Bowl III. I will never forget. I doubt anyone who recalls the game will.

The American Football League was relatively new. The New York Jets were a member of the League. Every team in the League considered by most as second class citizens.

The game was played in the Orange Bowl. Joe Namath was the Jets quarterback. He was before the game as he is now. Loud, boisterous and confident. He repeatedly said, “We’re going to win!” No one agreed. He was laughed at.

Namath and the Jets did win 16-7.

What a game!

It was Syracuse/Virginia Tech last night. Syracuse won 82-72. Syracuse took a 20 plus lead at the beginning of the second half and never was in trouble thereafter.

Syracuse seems to improve with each game. Even the ones they lose. I hope they continue the pace. By the end of the season and entering the playoffs, they will be a power if they do.

Never had dinner last night with Dan and Lisa Reardon. He is a Syracuse fan also. We opted to watch the game instead. Dan at his place and me in mine. We are having dinner tonight at Antonia’s. It will be good to see them.

Busy day even before dinner time. A haircut with Lori at noon and manicure with Tammy at 1.

Enjoy your day!

FLORIDA GROWING AS A RIGHT WING INTERNATIONAL MELTING POT

The world is changing. Florida is changing.

Every few generations, authoritarianism/fascism seeks to control. The moment has arrived again. Democracy is at peril.

Florida appears at the forefront. The State’s role as an international right wing melting pot is on the increase. The most recent evidence is former Brazil President Bolonaros who has recently taken up residence in Orlando. He is the South American personification of Donald Trump. The recent January 6 type insurrection in Brazil proof.

Florida has become a magnet for extreme right wing types.

Trump and DeSantis are truly similar. Birds of a feather as I am prone to describe them. DeSantis seems to have captured the minds and hearts of Floridians. Listen and you shall hear in frequent days how he tells us so. He recognizes Florida is different from the rest of the country and he takes credit for it. I agree he is responsible. He has been successful in selling a bill of goods to the people of Florida.

The question is will Floridians continue to buy it. How long will the many senior go along? How long will retirees put up with what in their hearts they must know is wrong?

I worry.

The new Republican House’s first victory was monday. Passed its first bill. To reverse much of the $80 billion in extra funding set aside for the IRS in the 2020 Inflation Reduction Act.

One purpose of the Act was help the IRS close down tax cheats and refresh its outdated technology. It is anticipated the Act makes it possible for the government to hire significant additional staff to do so. The tax cheats identified as “millionaires, billionaires, and corporations” cheating the system. Many paying no taxes at all. It was assured investigations would be made of certain returns beginning at $400,000 and more. No one less would be scrutinized any more than at present.

The intent of the law again to go after wealthy tax cheats.

The new Republican House sells the Act differently. From a lying base. It claims 87,000 new agents would pursue the working class and many would be armed. If true, it would scare me also. That is what the Republicans have been selling, sold monday with the passage of their bill, and hope will arouse American voters against the IRS.

My fear is the people will buy this bullshit.

Yesterday was day 2 of the new Republican House regime. They passed another bill. One which could have immediate ill affects.

The House voted to create a special Congressional panel focused on the “weaponization of the federal government.”

The Republicans are looking for it. They will not find it. Nevertheless, they have created a bad situation. They are seeking to harness and limit the power of important federal agencies. Agencies that protect the American people daily.

Scary.

Making it even more fearful is that Jim Jordan is Chair of the new committee.

Some of the matters to be investigated include handling of school board protests, COVID maneuvers, censorship of conservatives on social media, and the FBI political system. An underlying current is that the committee intends to go after anyone it thinks has been going after Trump.

Breaking news this morning. All commercial flights across the U.S. have been suspended. A computer breakdown. The Notice to Air Missions system. It stopped working.

It is anticipated the system could be corrected this morning.

Weather killing California. A roadway collapsed leaving a 100 foot by 30 feet hole. Two cars sunk. Mud slides wiping homes and highways out.

Californians are learning that the unexpected is to be expected. Yesterday, the Monterey Peninsula Country Club unexpectedly got hit. The course is on the Pacific. A foursome was playing the 14th hole. Suddenly, they had to run like hell. A monster wave swept over the hole.

Today an interesting one in Key West history.

The year 1829. Four men owned the island of Key West. John Simonton, Pardon Greene, John Whitehead, and John Fleming. Note their last names. Today the names of some of Key West’s most prominent streets.

The four men entered into an agreement this day in 1829 dividing the island of Key West into separate parcels for each.

Dan Reardon is back in town! My friend form Skaneateles, N.Y. We are having dinner together tonight.

Syracuse/Virginia Tech this evening at 7 at the Dome. I have no prediction as to who will win.

I finish with a bit of wisdom. Confucius say: “Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.”

Enjoy your day!