Greed! A big time motivating factor for many! Leads some to do secret things. Not necessarily proper. Believing their wrongs will never be discovered.

So it has been with FOX News.

News releases yesterday re FOX shocking!

Dominion Voting Systems filed a summary judgment motion in its defamation case against FOX News. The contents of Dominion’s paperwork buries FOX. FOX will never dig its way out of this one.

The motion papers clearly show via texts and emails that Rupert Murdoch and FOX’s 3 top newscasters, Tucker Carlson, Sean Hannity and Laura Ingraham, and others at FOX, knowingly lied about Dominion and Trump having won the election.

Dominion claims FOX so acted for ratings and share which were going down following FOX’s reporting of Arizona results election night.

The reason for a long series of falsehoods thereafter was money. Murdoch and his stars make a ton of money. As FOX’s stock values fell, so would there in pocket monies. The newscasters were making millions in salaries. Significant millions.

Dominion is a sure winner in the lawsuit based on the credible information in their papers. The facts are clear. FOX is going to take a big dollar hit when the case is finally concluded. Could be a billion dollar figure.

A Turkey/Syria quake update.

One million are homeless. The government is doing its best. Not enough, however.

Three persons were rescued after spending 13 days/296 hours buried under apartment rubble. A man, woman, and child.

Death toll exceeds 43,000.

A recent Bess Levin article was titled: Mitch McConnell One Day Away From Saying He’d Back Mussolini For President If The Italian Dictator Won The GOP Nomination.

Levin’s message to the effect McConnell would back any Republican nominated, even Trump, despite Trump’s recent attacks on McConnell’s wife.

Levin’s thrust included Republicans in general. Her position being party loyalty is fine. Not applicable however when a person of Trump’s background is the candidate. She believes it is time for McConnell and a ton of other Republicans to recognize what Trump is and do the right thing.

Drought accelerated by climate change has pushed the cost of cotton products higher than inflation.

Texas a big cotton growing state. Last year was a disaster for Texas cotton. Farmers abandoned 74 percent of their planted crops because of heat and parched soil. Cost of tampons, cotton diapers and cotton balls spiked. Tampons 13 percent, cloth diapers 21 percent, and cotton balls 9 percent.

Some local news.

The Key West Police Department horse Lou died.

Lou has been part of the Police team since 2018. He performed his horse service well.

The Department considers his passing “a true loss.”

Few are aware that 100 years ago in the early 1920’s Key West was a bastion of Klu Klux Klan power.

On this day in 1924, a gathering took place in Bayview Park: After a parade through Key West, the Key West chapter of the Klu Klux Klan held an induction ceremony at Bayview Park. General Nathan B. Forrest, grandson of the Confederate General, swore in 151 new inductee’s in the ritual. To this date, the local chapter had received 600 applications for membership.”

Cuban refugees seeking Keys shores are almost a daily occurrence. The problem not a recent one. As far back as 1869 a perfect example. At that time, 137 refugees fleeing Spanish oppression arrived in Key West.

Today’s Citizens’ Voice provides a food for thought item: “If voting is a fundamental right and owning a gun is a fundamental right, why do we have to jump through so many hoops just to vote and yet owning a killing machine comes with no strings attached?”

Syracuse/Duke tonight at 6. The teams evenly matched. Syracuse has won its last 3 games. Hope tonight is #4.

Enjoy your day!

Thirteen days ago on February 3, a Norfolk Southern train carrying toxic materials derailed in East Palestine, Ohio. Fearing an explosion naturally occurring from the contaminants, a decision was made to have a “controlled burn.” Contaminants have now filled the air and covered surface waters and soil with chemicals.

I am not suggesting the “controlled burn” caused problems. What will be may be even if there was no decision to burn.

Already dead fish are floating in nearby creeks and an uncommon aroma lingers in the air. Dead fish and cattle have been reported as far as 100 miles away.

The people living in East Palestine and nearby are scared. Furiously so. Properly so.

The EPA says air quality has returned to safe levels. The head of the EPA has said worry not. We’ll make sure those responsible will be held responsible. People could care less at the moment who is responsible. They want to live safely now and have the assurances that everything is normal.

The people have been told the water is ok. Why then are they being told to drink bottled water?

I know that of which I write today. It was my specialty as an environmental attorney. Major environmental contamination cases. Superfund cases.

The East Palestine case involves one difference, however. The problem is obvious at its beginnings. Not 20 or 50 years from now. Death and sickness is down the road. In most instances, years from now. However the opportunity exists for the government to get in on the ground floor and do something. Now! What, I do not know. But this is the time.

EPA and the Department of Transportation will say all tests indicate nary a problem. Of course. Problems do not rear their sick ugly heads for years. The odd taste in the water, the smell in the air — will all disappear. The danger not.

The contaminants will lie smoldering beneath the earth, in the water and in the air. Breeding and growing. Silently poisoning everything. Making people sick. Leukemia generally associated with such matters. Some next generation babies will be born without arms or legs.

I kid you not.

Today is the time for the EPA and Department of  Transportation  to get deeply involved. Most, if not all, of the tests they have run were created to discover problems that long existed.  Not new ones as in East Palestine.

Buttigieg  and the EPA must form a special group to deal with East Palestine. New everything required. Engineers must be able to think outside the box. East Palestine is a new day. Preventive everything required. Especially to prevent the ultimate consequences that normally follow years later.

The media says this is another Chernobyl. It’s not. It is Love Canal, with one difference. Hooker Chemicals wrongdoing in dumping chemicals into a landfill near a Niagara Falls neighborhood was not discovered till years later. After a whole neighborhood of homes had been abandoned, people died, got sick, etc.

I was not involved in Love Canal. It was the first major Superfund case. My case was the second largest. Involved a landfill. On behalf of my two clients, I sued 603 other potentially responsible parties. I exclusively handled such cases for the next 20 years. I share this information only to make you aware I know what I am talking about. I also had a distant peripheral matter involving Chernobyl. A baby girl born with half of one arm gone. From the elbow down.

I briefly share the facts of the Chernobyl matter to show how a toxic contaminant does its dirty deed years later. The mother came to me with the child. Her husband worked within 10 miles of Chernobyl. They later met and married. Came to the U.S. Fourteen years later, the wife became pregnant and gave birth to the one armed baby. The cause was the husband’s semen. It had been affected  by the contaminants in the water and/or air at Chernobyl. His semen making equipment became defective and 14 years later their malformed child born.

See how long it can take for a toxic contaminant to be reflected in a person’s life!

The government got into Love Canal too late. The EPA ended up demolishing a whole neighborhood. Took to 2004. The contamination took place in the 1970’s.

Bottom line, the EPA and Department of Transportation must get involved now. Actually, yesterday. Understanding that East Palestine is different because it is new. Current. Otherwise people will get sick, some terribly sick, die, babies born malformed, etc.

In conclusion, permit me to make another point. I could be completely wrong. However my gut tells me I am right. I am sure there are others who did or do the work I did who would agree.

It never ceases to amaze me. I read something and suddenly it triggers an event/happening that occurred years ago. Something that has not been in my mind all those years.

Today it is the bookstore Borders and God the Father who was a fat black female.

I read this morning in the Citizen History Section that on this day in 2011, the bookstore chain Borders filed for Chapter XI bankruptcy protection. It was little help. By September of the same year, all Borders stores were closed.

For many years leading up to 2011, the Key West Borders was was a frequent hangout for me. Almost daily. It became my personal library. The chairs comfortable. Books obviously many. I can’t tell you how many books I read over the years just sitting there a couple of hours each afternoon.

I do not feel I contributed to Borders going out of business by my freeloading. I did occasionally buy a book.

One book so moved me that I purchased 25 paperback copies which I distributed to friends. The novel was The Shack. It was published in 2007.

One year later, The Shack was #1 on the The New York Times Paperback Best Seller List. Where it remained for 70 weeks. In excess of 10 million copies were sold.

The story takes place in a shack deep in the Oregon wilderness. Three residents. The three those that compose the Holt Trinity. God was a fat black woman called Papa, Jesus a Middle eastern carpenter with a large hooked nose, and the Holy Ghost an Asian woman named Sanyu.

The author William P. Young. No one wanted to publish his novel. He was forced to self publish it. It obviously took hold, however.

The Shack moved me emotionally. So much so that I wanted to share it with everyone. The everyone as indicated earlier were 25 friends.

I recommend its reading to you.

There is no question Key West is out of the way when it comes to certain medical attention. Serious injuries and illnesses require the specialties Miami hospitals make available.

In many instances, time is of the essence. The difference between life and death. The Keys use air ambulance helicopters to get those in need swiftly to Miami. Money is not an issue. The helicopters are for the protection of the lives of Monroe County residents and property owners. No cost to either group for the service.

Presently, three helicopters are available. Two in Key West and one in Marathon.

Certain of the helicopters are reaching 22 years of age. Life span is 25 years.

Sheriff Rick Ramsay is in charge of the operation. He is right on top of it. He recently said the helicopters have to be replaced. Age. The planes themselves are no longer manufactured, parts are difficult to get.

He has already been working on the problem. He has found what he believes is the best replacement. The total cost for 3 new helicopters is in the area of $52 million. The County has authorized Sheriff Ramsay to commence negotiations.

Use is frequent. Last year, crews made 1,386 flights to Miami carrying 1,458 patients. The numbers are expected to be higher this year.

Actress Raquel Welch died yesterday. She was 82.

She was a big star in the 1960’s and 1970’s. A noted sex symbol.

Playboy ranked her #3 on the “100 Sexiest Stars of the Twentieth Century” list.

Hugh Hefner wanted to feature her on the cover and centerfold of Playboy. Any woman so featured did so totally nude. Welch was happy to pose, but refused to do so nude. She explained her position calmly to Hefner. She was so convincing he agreed to featuring her on the cover and centerfold in some form of attire. She was the one and only who ever did so.

On this day in 1908, the Rodef Shalom Synagogue was dedicated on the corner of Southard and Simonton Streets. Today, it is the home of Sarabeth’s Restaurant, one of Key West’s finest eateries.

The Synagogue moved to its new building on United Street where it was renamed Congregation B’nai Zion.

Some local color concerning the new Congregation B’Nai Zion building. Its architect was Key West resident Sonny McCoy. McCoy was Key West’s Mayor for 5 terms. A highly respected and liked person. He did 6 years of college in 3. Obtained 2 degrees. One in architecture, the other in engineering.

McCoy was a sportsman of sorts, also. He waterskied from Key West to Cuba. On one ski.

McCoy long gone. His memory remains.

Enjoy your day!

Pence is fighting Justice’s Grand Jury subpoena. I am shocked and surprised!

I have always considered Pence a maladjusted Christian and weak sister. He was a loyal Trump supporter for 4 years till January 6. That day he stood tall by refusing to accede to Trump’s desire to have him lie. He stood honest and forthright. I thought my opinion of him was wrong. This was a good man.

No more.

Trump set him up on January 6. He rabble roused the mob to get Pence if he failed to come through for him. The mob had blood in their eyes as they yelled to get Pence, hang Pence. The rope stood tall outside ready to hang him. A lynch mob coming after him.

Pence is lucky he survived the day.

Pence’s conduct January 6 gave me a new admiration for the man.

Now he wants to be President. Maybe, I thought, he is qualified. I was wrong. He lacks something. The correct thing to do is testify. Instead, he is claiming a legal reason not to that will not hold up in court. In the end, Pence will be before that Grand Jury.

Many Americans must recognize as I do that Pence’s colors did not change. They remain the same. He is a weak sister. A true political hack.

Key West has a habit of passing asinine laws. Never complete. Something generally lacking.

One of the most recent was a local law prohibiting smoking cigarettes on Key West beaches. Hand guns are also prohibited.

A Citizens’ Voice comment this morning bears out my position: “Can’t smoke at the beach, but you can bring your rifle you haven’t been trained to use and smoke your cigar.”

Early sunday morning a shooting occurred in Key West. One which resulted in a death.

Lloyd Brewer III’s family own the Conch Liquor and Lounge on North Roosevelt Boulevard. They also own the building it is located in.

Garrett Hughes was outside in the back of the building. Its parking lot. He was urinating on the building.

Brewer shot Hughes one or more times. He died at the hospital.

Brewer called the police and reported the shooting.

Videos all over the place indicate both men were possibly drunk. The police claim the videos reflect Hughes’ actions did not justify lethal force and murder.

Brewer was arrested and charged with second degree murder. He was arraigned yesterday. The judge denied him bail. He must remain in jail pending trial.

Background affects a judge’s mind in arriving at a no bail decision. Brewer has a history of some violence. He was arrested 2 years ago for allegedly punching a girl friend in the face with his fist after drinking at the Stock Island Yacht Club. There is a 1985 gun incident. One or two other items.

On this day in 1898, the USS Maine exploded in Havana Harbor. Two hundred sixty American seamen were killed.

The sinking of the Maine has become a significant part of Key West history.

The Custom House had recently been completed. The U.S. Court of Naval Inquiry held its hearing to determine the cause of the Maine’s explosion at the Custom House.

The Maine’s sinking eventually led to the Spanish-American War breaking out in April 1898. Within 3 months, the U.S. had decisively defeated Spain.

A number of Maine seaman are buried at the Key West Cemetery. Their graves surrounding a USS Maine Memorial.

The tragedy of the Turkey/Syria earthquake continues. As it will for years.

A 77 year old woman was rescued yesterday. She had been buried 9 days/212 hours. Experts indicate it is highly unusual to survive under such conditions more than 100 hours.

Cinderella one of Disney’s greatest movies. It opened in theaters this day in 1950. The film is frequently reshown permitting generations of Americans to enjoy Disney’s marvel.

How times have changed.

President-elect Franklin Roosevelt escaped assassination on February 15, 1933 in Miami. Chicago Mayor Anton Cermak was with him at the time. He was killed.

The gunman Giuseppe Zangara was executed some 4 weeks later. Not 20 years later as most U.S. executions take today.

Syracuse won a big one last night! Beat #23 ranked North Carolina State 75-72. It was Syracuse’s first win over a ranked team since 2021.

A sportswriter described Jesse Edwards and Judah Mintz’s play as Batman and Robin.

Edwards even sunk a 3 pointer.

Enjoy your day!

Words spoken at a Christian Conference in effect in July 2022 by Representative Lauren Boebert: If Jesus had an AR-15, He would not have been crucified. Boebert is member of the Republican radical fringe that now controls the House of Representatives.

The House as presently constituted is opposed to any gun control legislation.

Michigan State University was the scene of the latest mass killing in the U.S. yesterday. Three dead, 5 wounded. Certain of the 5 may die.

The shooter a 43 year old man who killed himself when confronted by the police.

The year 2023 is still in its infancy. Only 44 days old. In that short time, 72 persons have died as a result of mass shootings in the U.S. Impressive numbers. Rallying numbers for gun control. Not going to happen in the immediate future, however. Not as long as crazies like Boebert and her ilk are in power. Not as long as certain of them can twist the Bible and create aberrations in support of gun control opposition.

These same Republicans, as well as those at state levels, have time to ban books that contain what they consider not proper reading for students. Permissible for mass shootings to continue. No time to control guns. Time however to alter children’s educations by banning books that contain the truth about discriminatory and racial practices in the U.S. past. All part of keeping America “white.” Lies which will wipe blacks adversity from the face of American history.

DeSantis has been especially adept at doing so in Florida.

Roberto Clemente and Hank Aaron are two great American sport figures. Both black. Both outstanding baseball players.

A book about Robert Clemente’s life titled “Robert Clemente, The Pride of the Pittsburgh Pirates” has been banned because of its contents concerning racism and segregation. His son Robert Clemente Jr. said, “His story is his story. He went through racism. It’s something that can’t be changed.”

A book on Hank Aaron’s life containing discrimination and racial references was likewise banned. The book: “Hank Aaron’s Dream.”

The next example as outrageous as what happened re Clemente and Aaron, but also humorous. Concerns Sonia Sotomayor, Justice of the Supreme Court. The book: “Women Who Broke The Rules: Sonia Sotomayor.” Recommended reading for ages 6-9, grades 1-4.

My point: Time should be spent passing gun control legislation rather than banning books.

Another live and learn item. Corporal punishment remains legal in 19 states. Teachers and school personnel can hit your children.

How to catch an 850 pound grouper (Jewfish): On this day in 1969, Jim Markette caught the largest goliath grouper ever to that date. Using a rope with an 8 pound fish for bait and a small tractor, he was able to land a Jewfish that weighed more than 850 pounds.

I have not spoken of my ankles in some time. The reason being they are in terrific shape. Back to normal. Finally!

My ankles swelled dramatically back in June. Seven months later, ok. Three doctors treated them during that time. With no success.

Two months ago, they reduced on their own by 50 percent. Still large. Shoes did not fit. I was wearing crocks 2 sizes too large in order to get about.

I bought a stationery bike 2 years ago to lose weight. Placed in next to my bed. Used it for 3 weeks. Then gave up. For some reason, six weeks ago I decided to ride the bike again. To lose weight. Withing 4 days, my ankles were back to normal. Still are. My heart doctor said it was merely the exercise. It has been 3 years that I do not really walk. Need the cane to be sure not to fall. Nevertheless, I am only good for one block walking. So I was not walking.

The lack of exercise caused the ankle swelling.

I am now up to 45 minutes a day on the bike. Ankles remain the same. Perfect! Still can’t walk more than a block, however. Leg pain terrific at that point.

Now for my hands. My palms swelled about 2 months ago. Thought the fluid no longer in my ankles had found a home in them. My primary care physician disagreed with my diagnosis. He said arthritis the cause. I should bend my fingers frequently to reduce the size and pain.

I have. Did not do much.

I ordered a small palm ball from Amazon to see if that would help. Used it for the first time today. While riding the bike. Not for long. Three to 4 minutes each hand, squeezing the ball in one hand. No pain afterwards.

Pain now returning as I type. Not as bad. Swelling back. Going to keep the ball with me everyday. I suspect my hands will go the way of my ankles in due course.

Happy Valentine’s Day! Love you all!

What a game! What a half time show! What the number of people who watched the game who will call in sick today!

This year’s Super Bowl outstanding! Two well matched teams. Kansas City beating Philadelphia 38-35 on a 3 point field goal kicked with 8 seconds left in the game.

The half time show staring Rihanna one of the best ever! The lady was impressive!

I could not understand her attire. She was wrapped in a bright red ensemble from neck to toe. As her performance progressed, she unzipped what appeared to be a large outer coat which was covering a jump suit. Her stomach seemed to protrude. She appeared a bit on the heavy side. Fat was my thought.

She also seemed to show her mid section off. Like she wanted the world to see she was overweight.

Following the game, an announcement was made. Rihanna was pregnant and proud of it! This was her way of revealing her condition to the world.

In good taste. Beautiful.

Good taste, beautiful? To everyone but Donald Trump, of course. Trump attacked Rihanna after the show in a bizarre roast. He wrote: “EPIC FAIL: Rihanna gave, without question, the single worst halftime show in Super Bowl history. This after insulting for more than half an hour our Nation, which is already in serious DECLINE, with her foul and insulting language. Also, so much for her ‘Stylist!'”

I watched Rihanna’s whole show. Nothing foul or off color. Did some digging to determine what Donald was talking about. Discovered “foul and insulting” language is likely a reference to a photo taken in August 2020 in which Rihanna posed in front of a piece of art that featured a car with the words “Fuck Trump” printed on it.

The Kansas party after the game would have been outstanding! More so than any of the winning team parties I attended some 30 years ago.

A camera settled for a few seconds on a private box. Seated alone were Elon Musk and Rupert Murdoch with their ladies.

The ads were as outstanding as everything else. The cost to run a 30 second ad was $6.5 million. Plus naturally the cost of preparing the ad, paying the stars, etc.

The ad I enjoyed the most was the Ben Affleck/Jennifer Lopez/Dunkin’ Donuts one. Loved it! And I am not a Dunkin’ Donuts patron.

Records/stats are kept for everything today. They have been kept for a number of years re how many people who watched the game last night would call in sick today. The numbers this year varied depending the company which did the research. From a low of 18.8 million to 26.6 million. One expressed the numbers as 1 in 5.

Whatever the proper tabulation, a lot of people failed to show up for work today.

Yesterday was a big sports day. I spent the afternoon watching the Phoenix Open. An exciting final round.

Scottie Scheffler won by 3 strokes. His prize $3.6 million.

The top 10 included golfing stars Jon Rahm, Justin Thomas, Jason Day, Ricky Fowler, and Jordan Spieth.

Excellent golf!

I sleep with the TV on. Woke at 4 to hear a fourth “object” had been shot down over Lake Huron. Didn’t make sense. There were only 3 when I went to sleep and none were anywhere near Lake Huron. Figured someone made a mistake.

Went back to sleep.

Turns out no mistake involved. A smaller and 4th object was sighted and shot down sunday night. Our government says China responsible for the first one described as a “balloon.” Not sure as to the other 3. Still working on it.

I continue to believe North Korea involved.

Speaking of Korea, Don Chrisdon of Don and Chris fame is an officer with a a major South Korean company. He was in South Korea yesterday. He sent a photo during the Super Bowl game of his offices and people watching the game.. Later, a note: “Super Bowl in Korea 9:20 am.” Later another: “Go Eagles!” I responded after the game: “The Eagles went!”

The Turkish/Syrian tragedy continues. Discovered deaths now exceed 33,000.

Yesterday, a 4 year old girl was found buried under the debris. She had been there 177 hours.

We all live and learn. We never know even close to everything no matter how old we are.

My latest discovery is the source of fingerprints. Where do our fingerprints come from?

The womb!

Fingerprints are created during fetal development when fine ridges on the skin form and crash into each other. That is why no two sets of fingerprints are the same.

More yet to living and learning. The same process gives zebras their stripes and cheetahs their spots.

Winter in the Keys this year is a day or two here and there. We are into winter again.

A cold spell started coming in yesterday. It was cool all day in Key West. Cold last night. Cold this morning. The high today only 71. Summer returns tomorrow. High expected to hit 80.

Enjoy your day!

Super Bowl Sunday is a national party day. Wonderful! Spectacular! Exciting!

There was a time when I had a benefactor who made it possible for me to attend 11 consecutive Super Bowls. Free! The best seats in the stadium. Mid field 20 rows up. With the tickets went access to big time parties from wednesday night to after the game itself.

Each year I felt like the pregnant woman coming down the stairs in Auntie Mame who exclaimed in effect…..I lived!

Again, the tickets were free as were the parties.

I did a favor for someone who was in a position to provide the Super Bowl niceties. A Vice-President with one of the major professional football powers. Never expected anything in return. The matter was simple from my end. It was personal and important to the VP. It was a phone call by me.

My son and I made the 11 trips together. I stopped going once I bought my home in Key West 28 years ago. I was having enough fun in Key West that I did not need the Super Bowl parties. Long retired, the tickets still keep coming. My son uses them every year.

Key West was fun every night back in the 1990’s and into the early 2000’s. Other than summers in Europe, I did little traveling. Key West provided enough joys.

COVID really changed things. Big time. Today’s Key West is not even close to what Key West was before COVID. Not complaining. However,  I am unhappy about it. Few people left that I knew for years. Either left because they could not afford Key West any longer or died. Restaurant and bar attitudes different. Too many tourists and not enough residents make up the composition of Key West today.

Jesus is everywhere. Better stated, there are those that would have Him in places where it is inappropriate.

“He Got Us” is a Super Bowl commercial promoting Jesus. Funded in part by the family that owns the notably religious craft chain Hobby Lobby. Other evangelical groups have contributed also, including a foundation called The Signatory.

The price tag is $20 million.

What bothers me is how the money is being spent. My sense is Jesus would have spent it in another fashion. Like feeding and sheltering the poor and homeless.

Religious organizations are too deeply involved in politics. The word of God is better heard from a church pulpit than in a Super Bowl journal.

My yesterday was horrible! From start to finish. I was sick. What, I don’t know. Just felt like crap. Cancelled Sloan and spent the day in bed. Fell asleep around 8. Woke at 2 in the morning when my phone rang. Someone had hacked my credit card. The one I use to pay regular bills.  Card cancelled. I am without it for about a week.

My concern is having to change all the charge accounts. An aggravation!

Another strange item flying over certain U.S. states and Canada. Number 3 over the weekend. Not sure if a balloon, object or what have you.

Came over Alaska and into northwestern Canada. It was shot down by a U.S. plane via agreement between Biden and Trudeau. Canada to collect the debris.

Number 3 the smallest of the 3 items recently shot down.

The U.S. is certain China launched the first, a balloon. Source of the smaller #2 uncertain as yet. Source of the even smaller #3, also uncertain as yet.

In due course, we will know re #s 2 and 3. I doubt it is China. Not so stupid to follow up #1. Doubt it is Putin. He has enough aggravation to deal with. I put my money on North Korea. Kim Jung Un gets my vote.

“Certain cynical Republicans are trying to advance their own careers by whitewashing our nation’s past.” Example: Gov. Ron DeSantis.

Eugene Robinson in a 2/11 Washington Post column titled “It’s Not American History Without Black History” expertly reviewed the situation. Recommended reading.

Earthquake deaths skyrocketing in Turkey and Syria. Total now in excess of 28,000.

Everyday a small bit of good news. Yesterday involved a two month old baby who was rescued alive. The child had spent 128 hours under rubble.

I close with “Bum” Farto.

One of Key West’s most identifiable terms is “Where are you Bum Farto?”

On this day in 1976, former Fire Chief Joseph “Bum” Farto was found guilty of 3 drug felonies. He faced 31 years in prison.

Farto was never sentenced. Disappeared. Never found. Thought to have gone the way of Jimmy Hoffa.

Ergo, “Where are you Bum Farto” became a famous Key West saying and tee shirt slogan to this day.

Enjoy the game! Enjoy your Sunday!

There was a time in ancient history when naked young woman were beaten with animal hides by equally naked men and had sex with certain of them over a 3 day period from February 13-15. Both sexes drunk from alcohol consumption.

Their play pagan frolicking. Known as Lupercalia. Consider by some as the beginning of Valentine’s Day.

Then there was Roman Emperor Claudius II. He gets to claim a part of the supposed history of Valentine’s Day because he ordered the execution of two separate men by the name of Valentine during different eras of his reign. Both were later canonized and became St. Valentines.

The two considerations mentioned both valid considerations. However only peripheral.

The valid question is when and why did Valentine’s Day become the romantic lovey-dovey day it is.

The Valentine’s Day as we know it had its beginnings in the Middle Ages. We have the poet Geoffrey Chaucer to thank. Especially two of his 14th century works: The Parliament of Fowls and The Complaint of Mars.

In The Parliament of Fowls, he wrote: “Where every fowl comes there his mate to take.”

The basis for February 14 in Chaucer’s writings was the 14th was the first day of spring, the air in Britain was fresh, birds began to mate, it was the beginning of love season for birds. Stated in today’s vernacular, “It was the birds!”

Then came Shakespeare with amorous associations in his writings.

Love letter writing was next in line to celebrate Valentine’s Day.

The mid-1800’s marked the beginning of many of the commercialized Valentine’s Day traditions. Flower sending, one. Richard Cadbury created the first heart shaped box of chocolates. A confectionary company began stamping out an early version of Conversation Hearts.

By the early 1910’s, an American company that one day would become Hallmark began distributing “Valentine’s Day cards.”

The rest is history.

Cupid is important in the development process. Cupid is a symbol of the love filled holiday. Easy to understand why.

In Roman mythology, Cupid was the son of Venus, goddess of love and beauty. He was known to shoot arrows at both gods and humans, causing them to fall in love instantly with one another.

A late afternoon manicure with Tammy yesterday. What a business she and husband Rick have. Endless cash flow. God bless them!

Wanted to have a drink. Gave a call to Steve Thompson. He and Cindy agreed to meet me in the Chart Room at 5:30.

I arrived at 5:20. The Chart Room opens at 5. Normally empty till 6. Not last night. Packed like sardines when I arrived. Noisy as hell.

Called Cindy and told her to meet me at the Pier House Beach Bar.

I walked back and found it was no different. Not a chair at the bar empty. Only one table, which fortunately I grabbed.

Not normal. I suspect it was the early crowd for the Jimmy Buffett show at the Amphitheater.

I enjoyed 2 hours with Steve and Cindy. Wonderful people.

A Bob walked by. Stopped as he was passing. Said to Steve he knew him. Steve did not recall. Bob said they met a few years earlier in the Chart Room where he began reading some of Steve’s writings of the 1970’s Key West. Then Bob recalled me. We had never met. He used to watch my podcasts. I have not done one in several years. Nice of him to recall, however.

The three of us had an interesting chat. Bob is from Ohio. Some town where alcohol is prohibited.

The “object” shot down onto the ice off shore to Alaska. No certainty yet to whom it belongs. Smaller than the balloon shot down in the Atlantic a few days ago.

The big question is who does the “object” belong to. TV media says could be Russia or China. I do not agree. Putin has enough on his hands now. No way is he going to add to his aggravations. China would not have the “balls” to send out anther balloon/object.

My guess. North Korea. Kim Jung Un is stupid enough to pull such a stunt. Recall also, Biden and Kim Jung Un do not exchange “love letters” as Trump did with the North Korea leader.

Enjoy your day!

Open today with some Keys information.

Keys sense of humor as reflected in today’s Citizens’ Voice: “The Chinese balloon has now drifted over Cudjoe Key. It’s been up there all day spying on secret lobster pots. Where is the Conch Republic Air Force when needed?”

The Monroe County Sheriff operates an animal farm: The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office Animal Farm.

The Sheriff is having an open house Sunday 2/12 from 1-3 pm at 5525 College Road beneath the headquarters of the Sheriff’s Office. The event is free and open to the public.

Today a significant one in the history of North Roosevelt Boulevard development. On this day in 1964, ground was broken for the 20 acre $1 million Sears Shopping Town Center.

How time changes things! The Sears portion has been closed and empty for a couple of years. There is talk of adding a floor and turning that area of the shopping center into affordable housing.

At one time, Key West was a very busy point of entry in the U.S. Third busiest in 1930 with 38,391 passengers. Only New York and Boston had more arrivals.

A Ben Harrison play opens February 15 and will run through February 25 at the Fringe Theater on White Street. The play is titled El Isleno 1921, The Untold Key West Story. Rumored to be excellent.

Following is what could happen in the U.S. if Trump is President again or some one like DeSantis becomes President.

On this day in 1936, the German Nazi Reichstag passed a law investing the Gestapo secret police with absolute authority, exempt from any legal review.

Florida’s menstruation controversy did not last long. Shot down!!!

The Florida High School Athletic Association’s 16 member Board of Directors held an emergency meeting yesterday (2/9) to discuss the proposal requiring female high school athletes to disclose information about their menstrual history. The Board voted 14-2 to scrap the controversial proposal. The Board voted instead to require students to submit a one page doctor signed paper to indicate whether the young lady was healthy enough to compete.

This one page document is a joke! The Board is covering their ass in effect by saying we took something away, but are substituting the one page doctor’s report. For what? The doctor is going to require a physical before he writes even a minimal report. He will charge for it. Who pays? Mom and Pop?

I do not know if everyone is expected to have insurance or there is insurance for minors in Florida to cover the report.

A disgraceful conclusion to a stupid idea.

Again, the proposal did not last long. Everyone was up in arms. Students, parents, doctors and others buried the Board with their thoughts: “It is a gross and an extreme sexist invasion of privacy…..Hey, what in the world are you thinking?…..Get this off your agenda and issue a press release to say you’re sorry…..The question does not have any bearing on a female being able to perform tasks. Its simple purpose: To shame and degrade females from participating in sports…..The standards do not apply equally to when a boy begins to masturbate…..Information about male students’ ejaculations also should be collected.”

The Turkey/Syria earthquake deaths are reaching 23,000. Only 5 percent of areas involved have been searched for survivors/bodies so far. Means deaths will exceed 100,000.

I watched on TV a 5 year old boy who had ben buried for 100 hours being recovered. He was alive. Thank God. Others were dead. The sadness of it all.

Love Marjorie Taylor Greene! Everything she has done to rehabilitate her image has failed.

The woman is a born loser!

Enjoy your day!

Biden names Republicans seeking changes to Social Security and Medicare.

In the State of the Union Address, Biden said some Republicans wanted to target Social Security and Medicare. Republicans in the audience jeered and decried his statements.

Yesterday in Wisconsin, Biden identified specifically some of the Republicans he was talking about tuesday night.

Note Marjorie Taylor Greene, together with others, shouted: “Liar, liar” when Biden made the representation.

Biden yesterday named Senator Rick Scott who in a printed brochure said Social Security and Medicare were “sunset” and merely required votes every five years in order to continue the programs.

Senator Ron Johnson suggested in his reelection campaign last August that Social Security and Medicare be eliminated. He claimed the programs would require annual approval by Congress as discretionary spending.

Senator Mike Lee. Biden quoted from a 2020 video that his plan was to “phase out Social Security…..and that Medicare and Medicaid…..need to be pulled up” by the roots.

Lee also told a group of voters on 2/23/2010 that he was about to “tell you one thing you probably never heard from a politician. It will be my objective to phase out Social Security, to pull it up from the roots and get rid of it.”

Trump has begun taking DeSantis serious. He has resorted to name calling, lying. Trump has begun pushing “DeSantis is a pedophile” stuff.

As mush as I dislike DeSantis, Trump’s attack is sickening. Typical of the liar he is and has been.

If DeSantis had any pedophilic tendencies, the media would have been on it long ago.

The devastation continues to mount in Turkey and Syria. Deaths now exceed 17,000. Injuries 65,000. Property damage similar to that in a war zone.

Beside human and material help being needed, prayers are in order.

Dinner at La Te Da last night. Meal and company outstanding. Joined by Fred, David, Bunny and Guy. Guy of Guy deBoer fame. He will soon be returning to the Canary Islands to pick up his repaired boat and sail it back to the U.S. He is planning another world race to begin in the fall. I love Guy, but think he’s crazy. He survived one wreck. Now, he wants to place his life in harm’s way a second time.

Chatted with Tom Luna briefly. A Key West icon. He is managing La Te Da’s restaurant and two bars.

The time has finally arrived. Ukraine’s Zelensky has been hinting and even in a half assed fashion asked for fighter jets.

The U.S. has emphatically been saying “No!” Yesterday, Zelensky asked Euro Union leaders for fighter jets. His argument: To defend Europe from Russia.

Eventually, he will get the planes. Even from the U.S.

The problem is the concern Zelensky will use them in due course to attack Russia itself from the air. Tit for tat warfare.

It may be the only way to end the war. The Russian people themselves must suffer as the Ukraines have. Such will push them to force Putin to end the war or even overthrow him.

A Key West duel 1829 style.

The duel was fought between Charles Hawkins of the Mexican Navy and William McRea the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida.

Four shots were exchanged. Hawkins was wounded in the wrist, McRea hit in the thigh.

Reason for the duel: Hawkins saw McRea leaving his wife’s bedroom via the window.

During dinner last night, Fred kept us up to date re the Syracuse/Florida State game. Fred, Bunny and I are Syracuse grads. The game had not ended when dinner was over. I caught the end on TV at home.

Syracuse won 76-67. Syracuse was behind at half time 35-29.

Need to move fast this morning. A noon haircut appointment with Lori.

Enjoy your day!