Jim Boeheim retires/retired (?) after 47 years.

Whether voluntary or involuntary, there comes a time. Jim, you will always be remembered not only at Syracuse, but in the annals of basketball forever.

Syracuse would never have developed into the basketball program it did without you. The Carrier Dome would not have been a success without you.

Collegiate fans should realize universities are like major corporations. You fail to produce, you’re gone.

Enjoy retirement. As I well know, it takes time. However, it does grow on a person. After a while you will wonder how you maintained the pace you did all those years.

I would have preferred Garry McNamara as Boeheim’s successor. He has been Syracuse without interruption. He appears to have the Boeheim heart.

I am curious what will happen with the zone defense.

Some Trump.

He appeared before CPAC in Washington, D.C, over the weekend. Trump contended “you couldn’t get into the building” as he insisted seating for his speech was filled as his supporters flocked to see him.

Fact: Trump expressing his unhappiness afterward to CPAC organizers over the “half full crowd” which was present to hear him speak.

Netanyahu’s all systems crackdown on Israeli democracy disturbing, but not surprising. Authoritarianism to the core. In a democratic society born in opposition to Hitler’s authoritarianism.

I began to worry about Netanyahu when he and Trump became such birds of a feather. My concern was further fed by the American Jewish community who were thrilled by Trump’s generosity, etc.

The authoritarian seed was planted and is generating big time.

What is happening in Israel will occur in the U.S. if Trump is reelected.

Bess Levin writes an interesting and perceptive observation re Trump in a 3/6 Vanity Fair article titled “Report: Trump Spends His Days…..Workshopping Nicknames About DeSantis’ Height And Penis.”

Levin writes: “‘Tiny D’ is apparently under consideration for the Florida governor…..it’s pretty perfect, it’s pretty perfect, as it has the double meaning of both being about DeSantis’ height and his penis size.”

The penis portion would even be beyond Trump’s record of nasty remarks.

How would Trump know the size of DeSantis’ penis?

The first U.S. female President will not have a penis.

A real President. Harry S Truman.

This day in 1952 marked the last time Truman arrived in Key West as President. It was his 11th trip making for a total of 175 days as President that he enjoyed Key West.

Tom Brady worked hard and successfully more years than most in his profession. Will forever be remembered as the greatest professional quarterback of all time.

He was paid well for his efforts and the days of effort and preparation that made him the success he was. Now he is enjoying the fruits of his labors.

Brady has a new yacht. Not that big as yachts go. Big enough, however. Seventy seven feet.

He named the yacht “TW12VE Angels.” It is a Wajer 77.

It has been described as a hotel on wheels.” Sleeps 9 comfortably. Brady intends to primarily use it for weekend trips to the Bahamas.

A small business boomed last year. It is expected to boom considerably more this year.

“Commercial surrogacy” as an industry has seen a dramatic rise as demand for babies has risen and the promise of good earnings associated with it.

Note the father to be has no biological link to the child. The woman is pregnant by another or prepared to become pregnant by another for a fee. A significant one.

An increasing number of women in Georgia and Mexico participated as commercial surrogate mothers. in 2022. The industry rose to $14 billion last year. It is expected to skyrocket to $129 billion in 2023.

My health.

I report with caution. Believe I am on the mend. I said that monday or tuesaday morning this week. Then by late afternoon my problem moved from my big toe to the entire foot and ankle.

Again, I report that I believe I am 50 percent better. Swelling down considerably. Still visible. Very little pain/discomfort occasionally. Walking and handling the stairs better.

Still don’t know cause. I will be speaking with my doctor today.

I am supposed to have dinner tonight at Tavern ‘n Town with my Syracuse grad friends. Boeheim would be the center of discussion. Don’t think I am going to make it. I know from experience sitting that long will not be good.

Enjoy your day!

A rare talk show this morning. A brilliant diamond.

Mika Brzezinski is part of the Abu Dhabi Forbes 30/50 Conference. She moderated a talk show which was shown on MSNBC. Co-moderator was Hillary Clinton. The three guests Billie Jean King, Gloria Steinem and Olen Zelenska. No y at the end of her name on the show. Must be the English translation in the Ukraine language is a.

King a tennis great of yesteryear. Beat a male challenger in a match watched by 90 million at the time. An equal pay advocate who among other things pushed for equal salaries for U.S. Open female players where she succeeded in the effort. Steinem in the forefront of many women movements of yesterday and today. Zelenska the wife of the Ukraine President.

The Conference part of International Women’s Day.

All five ladies were articulate and right on. Mixed everything they said with humor. All veterans of the eternal war regardless of their present ages.

Catch a rerun, if you can. Politics and gender have nothing to do with it. It is a rare moment when such quality in every regard is presented on TV these days.

Today’s blog a short one. My yesterday reported malady got much worse by mid afternoon. A reversal. Horrible! Walking next to impossible. Pain atrocious. Other developments I won’t waste your time with at the moment.

Ended up with more doctoring. X-rays, a shot in the butt, a pill, a prescription for 2 more pills. What was/is wrong with me? No one yet knows. We continue with the gout theory, Though I sense and agree it does not look like the cause. Now into something called cellulitis. I thought such was related to fat. I don’t now.

What I do know is my foot went very large from toe to ankle. My ankle swelled to better than twice its normal size. Add to it constant coughing and low grade sweating.

I am better this morning. By about 50 percent. Coughing down but still there. No difference re the sweating.

I screwed up in yesterday’s blog. My apologies. I reported the Syracuse/Wake Forest game was last night. It was not. Noon today.

That’s the short story line for today. I mention only because of the number of you who have written or telephoned concerned about me. Thank you. When you get to be my age and live alone as long as I have, there are moments when you tend to think no one cares about you anymore.

Enjoy your day!

I have been going through hell since sunday. Pain like you would not believe. Seemed to be gout. I had an attack several yeas ago. In the last 48 hours I have gone through gout, not gout, blood problem, not blood problem, back to gout, now not sure. In spite of it all, I presently have pain like you would not believe Walking next to impossible. Cane of no assistance. Stairs dangerous. I am heading for a fall!

I went on gout pills yesterday at noon. By dinner time, I was considerably better. This morning, worse. Woke to a totally enlarged foot starting to work its way into my ankle. My 7 month problem recently resolved.

God bless Dr. Norris. He is working closely with me. Even came to my home sunday night. Could I ask for more! He wanted to see if gout or a blood problem. Diagnosis goes back and forth.

We have examined any new foods I may recently have begun eating. I tried to eliminate sugar from my diet a few weeks ago. Discovered a cranberry juice brand with only 1 gram of sugar in a 64 ounce bottle. I have literally been drinking cranberry juice by the gallons. Order it from Amazon 4-6 64 ounce bottles at a time.

Guess what? Norris checked the labels on the bottle and ran them through his sources to see if the juice can be a gout problem. Yes, it can.

Problem is my body is not reacting properly to the gout pills. Norris says it may take a few more days to get the juice out of my body.

Note I did not do a blog yesterday. The pain was too much. I could not concentrate. Was not going to write this morning. However, the blog is part of my life and I missed doing it yesterday and did not want to miss again today.

Another Norfolk Southern Train has derailed in Ohio. Near Springfield. Fortunately, no hazardous waste materials on board.

I recall Johns-Manville and the asbestos deluge of cases back in the 1970’s and early 1980’s.

I was intimately involved in the second and third waves of asbestos cases on a nationwide basis.

For much of the 20th century, Johns-Manville was the global leader in manufacturing products containing asbestos.

In 1982 facing unprecedented liability for asbestos injury claims, it voluntarily filed for Chapter 11 protection under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. The Manville Trust was born as a result and is still operating. The monies used to pay asbestos injury claims.

I have taken the time to weave Johns-Manville history into the East Palestine personal injury claims which will follow. People should not want to put Norfolk Southern out of business. Need their monies and any other available funds to meet the serious injury damage claims that will be made.

Note railroad train derailment accidents are common. Very much so. The U.S. averages more that 1,700 a year. Works out to 4.8 derailments a day.

Tomorrow March 8 marks the beginning of Catholic Sisters Week. The celebration of Catholic women in religious orders.

Nuns were part of my upbringing and adult life.

From the second to the eighth grade, I attended Blessed Sacrament School. Run by Brown Franciscan nuns. Called Brown Franciscans because of the color of their habit and to distinguish them from Black Franciscan nuns who wore black habits and were later part of my adult life. The Brown Franciscans were kindly to those of us of Italian and Syrian extraction. We were few in the school.

High school was Utica Catholic Academy. Run by the Sisters of Charity. These good ladies wore tall white bonnets. Like wings.

For whatever reason, they were all older than my grammar school nuns.

Tough women.

One befriended me. Why, I have never been sure. My sense is she noticed my interest in history. She taught history. We got into things together not taught in the classroom. She expanded my thought process.

Whether I was going to college depended on money. My parents did not have money. Sister Gertrude made it her business to make sure I got to college.

Student wise, I was not bad. I was fifth in my class.

Sister Gertrude’s cousin was a Christian Brother. He was Athletic Director at Manhattan College in New York City. She arranged for him to sponsor me in effect and also got me a small scholarship along the way.

The things we never know. At least not my family or people. The McGinty family owned and operated a major Utica bank. The McGinty’s all attended Manhattan College. At one point, a McGinty was President of Manhattan College. Another small scholarship appeared through the bank.

Nuns were not an integral part of my life again till I was an established lawyer in Utica. Black Franciscans that I mentioned earlier.

One involvement was St. Elizabeth Hospital. Utica’s largest. Fourteen hundred employees. Operated by Black Franciscans. Sister Rose Vincent was the CEO. A top business woman. I met Sister Rose through my wife who annually co-chaired a major fund raising dance for the hospital. We became friends.

She and another nun Sister Johanna used to have dinner at our home occasionally. Certain of the nuns were fanatical Syracuse fans. Many the football and basketball game these ladies enjoyed in my box.

Sister Rose also would call me for advice when certain matters arose where she needed help.

Our relationship was close. An example involving two trips.

Sister Rose always was on my back that I worked too hard and needed to take more time off. One day, I received a telephone from her. She said next week you and your family (my wife, four children and parents) are leaving for Italy for a month. I have arranged for your tickets, a villa on the Mediterranean near Rome, two rented cars, etc. Of course, I had to repay her.

She had to convince me to go. A whole month! Never had I taken that much time off. Not even close to it.

Everyone involved, the family and office staff, knew.

I went. Why not!

That was telephone call number one. The second was the day I returned from Italy. Hello Louis, how are you, etc. Don’t unpack. You and I are leaving for Hawaii tomorrow for one week. I have an important business conference involving big dollars and want you there.

I forgot to mention. Sister Rose was number 3 in her Order world wide. A heavy hitter.

The trip was torture. Three different time zones my body had been through.

I have another story involving Sister Rose’s order that I will save for another day. I have gone too far already with today’s blog.

Syracuse plays Wake Forest tonight in their opening game of the ACC end of season tournament.

Enjoy your day!

New York’s Pennsylvania Hotel was once the world’s largest. A city within a city. Twenty two stories tall. Two thousand two hundred rooms.

Today, it is down to ten stories. This morning’s New York Times described the demolition of The Pennsylvania as “poof.” It has been going, going, soon to be gone.

Glenn Miller’s “Pennsylvania 6-5,000” reflective of the hotel and its former days of majesty.

I began practicing law in 1960. In the early years when a client’s business took me to New York City, I stayed at The Pennsylvania. By that time, it was affordable. Within my budget. Also it was directly across the street from Madison Square Garden. Made it conveniently possible for me to get in a game of some sort.

Late yesterday afternoon was absorbed by me with the Syracuse/Wake Forest game and Trump’s CPAC address. Caught me switching channels periodically.

Syracuse played well. Finally. Defeated Wake Forest 72-63.

The Syracuse zone defense tightened. Prevented Wake Forest from making a 3 pointer in the first 10 minutes. The defense eased up a bit thereafter and Wake Forest ended up making 10 or a bit more 3 point shots.

The ACC season is over. Tomorrow begins the League’s season playoff.  Syracuse plays its first game tuesday. Ironically, it plays Wake Forest again. Syracuse and Wake Forest are seeded 8th and 9th respectively. Therein is why they will be meeting again.

I was interested in how Trump would come across at the CPAC gathering. He was terrific! Must give the devil his due. If and when he meets DeSantis in debate, he will destroy DeSantis. No competition.

“Cutie” is the most common slang word for boyfriend/girlfriend in 9 states. More than any other.

I would suspect “cutie” was similarly popular, if not more, 50 years ago.

Two great men delivered equally great speeches almost on the same day, though years apart.

On March 4, 1933, Franklin Delano Roosevelt was inaugurated President of the United States. The country was at the height of the depression. Roosevelt’s ever to be remembered words: “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.”

Exactly 13 years and 1 day later on March 5, 1946, Winston Churchill delivered his Iron Curtain speech. Considered one of the most famous orations of the Cold War period: “From Stettin in the Baltic to Trieste in the Adriatic, an iron curtain has descended across the continent.”

Chilling.

On this day in 1952, Ernest Hemingway finished “The Old Man and the Sea.”

The movie soon followed starring Spencer Tracy.

I watched the movie for the first time yesterday. More than 60 years after the film was released.

Watching Spencer Tracy spend 3 days and nights capturing the large fish made me tired. His bleeding hands made mine ache. Great dialogue!

One more significant day. This day in 1963. The Hoola Hoop was patented.

The hip swiveling toy was first marketed in 1958 when 25 million were sold in the first 4 months of production alone. My 3 daughters and many granddaughters tried to teach me how to hoola hoop. I wanted to learn. Great exercise, I thought.

Ally was the last one who tried.

I was a dismal failure in each instance. I could not get my hips and body to coordinate.

I have been on a good health kick for a couple of months. Lost 18 pounds!

I attribute the success to the stationery bicycle and watching what I eat. Even eliminating some evening dinners.

The stationery bike not only has helped with the weight. It resolved my ankle swelling problems which 3 doctors could not. The bike is located next to my bed. First thing every morning, I go from the bed to the bike. I am up to 50 minutes a day. Taking it slow.

My physical success has thrilled me. Did not last long, however. At 87, something always goes wrong. I woke this morning with a return of the gout. Painful! Last time 2 years ago.

I am not complaining. Merely sharing. My fear is the next malady will be a real bad one. The way the mind works at my age.

Enjoy your Sunday!

This is Key West!

As reported in a Citizens’ Voice comment this morning: “A big thank you to Scott, a bus driver for Key West. My wife fell on College Road and hit her head. Scott stopped, helped her up and onto the bus along with myself and two dogs. He then transported us to the hospital and escorted my wife inside.”

Key West is embarking on a new plan to make its streets safer. Hopefully for more than pedestrians.

E-bikes and electric scooters the motivation.

Bicyclists a problem that should be given renewed consideration. Dedicated areas, pathways, have helped only minimally.

The actual solution an impossible one: Wider streets. Key West streets were not intended for all that use them: Cars, bicycles, electric scooters, etc.

Bicycles must be accommodated. They are an integral part of the Key West transportation system. A way of life for many. Their sole means of transportation.

Many the day I drive my car with my heart in my throat. On Duval and Simonton, especially. Fearful of striking a bike rider. Even on the streets where special lanes were marked several years ago for bicycle riders. For some reason, most wobble in and out.

The federal government is giving $13 million to the Key West International Airport project. The money is coming from President Biden’s bipartisan infrastructure law passed last year.

On this day in 1976, drug convicted Fire Chief Bum Farto was reported missing by his wife. The situation gave rise to “Where are you Bum Farto?”

The year 1941 in the Key West area contained a Naval Base with a huge contingency of sailors. The fishing industry was booming with its sailors.

A need developed. One common to any area with many men and few women. Sex. Prostitution arose to satisfy the need.

The Navy was constantly upset. On the back of local authorities to rid the area of what they considered an evil. Morality became an issue. Health, another.

Alice Reid was a madam with a thriving house of ill repute business. She and her girls were constantly arrested by local gendarmes.

On this day in 1941, two ladies were arrested and charged with vagrancy at Alice Reid’s house at 1016 Howe Street.

Another Florida legislative bill has been filed that reeks of authoritarianism and Gestapo type tactics. The bill would require bloggers who write about the governor, his cabinet and legislators to register with the State.

The bill is titled “Information Dissemination.”

The bill also requires the blogger, if paid, to identify by whom and how much. Financial penalties are involved.

What happened to Free Speech?

My admonition to Florida political leaders: If you can’t take the heat, get out of the kitchen!

Enjoy your day!

The East Palestine clean up will take years. And even then may not be totally cleaned up.

Expect 30 years or more.

So far in the one month since the spill, more than 200 tons of contaminated soil and nearly 2 million gallons of liquid have been collected from the derailment site.

A drop in the bucket.

Extent of the contamination will not be known for years, It takes time for the contamination to seep into the soil and into water streams.

My admonition continues: Remove the residents to a new city. Create one, if necessary. It will be far cheaper and healthier if done this way instead of letting residents stay, get severely sick, some dying.

Another problem: Where to dump the contaminants of the cleanup? The EPA has specified sites in various states for certain of the toxins. The problem is many states will refuse to accept the contaminants. The situation becomes a political as well as legal one.

COVID’s labeling being crystalized. Some referring to it as the “false epidemic.”

If so, why did so many die?

The claim is as valid as the “election fraud” theory.

Two new items re the Catholic Church.

The first involves San Diego Cardinal Robert McElroy. In a recent address at Notre Dame University, he said the Church must “redesign” its “just war” theory to favoring “non-violent action.”

The second is a concern of the FBI. The FBI is worried that violent extremists will exploit and recruit radical traditionalist Catholics.

Query: What has happened to the simple teachings of the Bible?

The Catholic Church began getting sucked into politics by the conservative right now turned radical right more than half a century ago. As a result, the Church has become politically contaminated.

Sir Roger Bannister, the first man to run a sub 4 minute mile, died this day in 2018.

He exercised the great feat on May 6, 1954. The whole world was excited in anticipation that he might. I and my friends were glued to the TV. He did it! In 3 minutes 59.4 seconds.

Syracuse plays the last game of its ACC season tomorrow at 5. The team plays Wake Forest.

The season has been less than spectacular. A mild statement. It stunk! Glad it’s over!

Enjoy your day!

BEWARE!

DeSantis is capable of anything.

Recent Bess Levin 3/1 Vanity Fair article explains it: Democrats Could Literally Be Banned From Elections Thanks To New, Batshit Florida Bill.

“Disenfranchising voters has long been one of the Republican Party’s many pet projects…..one Florida lawmaker has decided it’s high time the GOP drops the charade and just…..bans the Democratic Party from elections.”

“A new proposed bill…..titled SB 1248, calls for the State Division of Elections to cancel the ‘filings’ of a political party…..if that party’s platform had previously advocated for slavery, or involuntary servitude.”

“Although not explicitly listed, the Democratic Party, which were popular in the South during Reconstruction, would fit the description.”

Recall Lincoln was a Republican. The Republican Party was considered a northern one. The Democratic Party southern favored and supported slavery, etc.

Again, my admonition: Beware! Republicans control the Florida governorship and legislature.

Home sales have plummeted to the lowest levels in a year in South Florida. New data shows buyers and sellers growing wary of the housing market.

Completed home sales fell 30 percent in the tri-county area covering Broward Palm Beaches and St. Lucie areas.

What about Key West and the lower Keys? Silence re the issue. Something for the Key West Citizen to investigate and report concerning.

Key West and the lower Keys are unique. Things may be different, though I doubt it. Let’s hear what it is!

Spent a couple of delightful hours at the Chart Room last night. Drank diet Pepsi. My companions Fran and Tom Dixon. Their last night in Key West. Return to Buffalo this morning.

Willie Nelson came up in our discussions. They had seen a sign advertising Willie Nelson was in Key West and appearing at the Amphitheater last night. I was surprised. I had heard nothing about it.

Checked the news out on the internet. Willie Nelson and his family appeared last night at the Coffee Butler Amphitheater. Tickets first time around cheap, $69-$150. What they were after the promoters got a hold of them, I do not know. I am also unaware of the crowd size, etc. Nothing in this morning’s Citizen.

I am a long time old time fan of Willie Nelson. We are contemporaries. Nelson is 2 years older than me.

Another example of the Klu Klux Klan influence in Key West 100 years ago. On this day in 1923, United Daughters of the Confederacy representative Mrs. M.E. Bonds of Macon, Georgia, visited the Harris School in hope of establishing a chapter of the Children of the Confederacy there. I am unaware if she was successful.

A basketball record!

On this day in 1962, Wilt Chamberlain scored 100 points for the Philadelphia Warriors in a game against the New York Knicks. An NBA record that still stands.

Busy day ahead. Haircut and pedicure followed by lunch somewhere.

Enjoy your day!

All the bad acts committed by FOX continue to come out. Yet Rupert Murdoch makes no noises/offers to settle.

This is a case FOX has t0 get behind it. The publicity will only get worse. Liability dollars will continue to grow.

One reason the case is not yet settled is it may not be Murdoch’s money that is going to change hands. It’s insurance money. FOX may have a policy to cover the wrongdoing alleged.

A couple of items come into play. The insurance company may need FOX’s permission to settle. Murdoch may believe any publicity is good so he is withholding permission till the last possible moment. Or, FOX’s insurance company may have filed a disclaimer refusing to pay because Fox’s actions were intentional. Intentional acts void coverage.

The insurance company may be providing a defense, at the same that it advises will not pay any monies. Such is customary and ordinary practice in cases of this nature. In the meantime, negotiations are ongoing on the side between FOX and its insurance company to see if a package can be put together to resolve Dominion’s claim. Again, the way the game is played in cases of this nature.

A big money war from all sides!

A bipartisan group of six Senators will introduce a bill today – The Railway Safety Act of 2023 – aimed at preventing a repeat of the toxic firestorm in East Palestine.

Typical government action. After the horse is out of the barn, after a tragedy has occurred.

The legislation is probably required. Too late however to help the residents of East Palestine. Their suffering not yet appreciated. Their fears today and tomorrow not yet understood.

The federal government must move its ass to limit the illnesses and deaths that can occur. Which probably will occur. Including plans to move a whole town if the same becomes necessary.

Today is Harry Belafonte’s birthday. The actor-singer is 96 years old.

Happy birthday, Mr. Belafonte! He is deserving of the “Mr.”

Pope Francis is marking his tenth year as Pope. Sitting in St. Peter’s chair has not been easy. His time has been marked by tenacious resistance from the conservative wing of the Church.

Even the Catholic Church has it Trump style/MAGA type group. They have lashed out at Francis in ways once thought unthinkable.

Beside those opposing him in the Vatican itself, half of American bishops are opposed to his teachings. Not really on religious grounds. Rather from a power perspective. They want to be in positions to run the Church themselves. Recall the many times I have written that persons like Steve Bannon and Newt Gingrich support and actively encourage them.

A study was released today re the price of gas for the past year. From 2/22-2/23.

One year ago, the average price of gas was $3.50 a gallon. At some point, rose to just under $5. Now, $3.40.

The numbers break down to 6 percent cheaper since last year at this time. However, note there has been a 2 percent increase just since January.

I always find these numbers amusing. They never apply to Key West. We are always $.30 to $.50 more expensive.

The Citizens’ Voice this morning: “Now that we are at record room rates that are so high visitors are cutting back on attractions, shopping and dining out, will we finally do something abut the TDC? Are we going to wait till businesses go broke since visitors spend their entire budget on hotel rooms? Enough advertising!”

An accurate observation. My personal observations support it.

From the Chart Room, I see Pier House guests returning to their rooms at dinner time carrying a pizza and six pack. Restaurant tables rarely turn over. The La Te Da inside bar is one of the finest such attractions on the island. Generally, music and entertainment. Dancing available. The room used to be crowded. A fun place to greet and meet. One of the hottest places in town. Now rarely crowded. Been a long time since I have seen a ton of people.

Syracuse beaten again last night. Decisively! By Georgia Tech 96-76.

The 3 pointers fell like flakes in a major snow storm. Georgia Tech made 18 out of 4o shots taken.

Things were so bad, Boeheim switched the team to man to man defense with 14 minutes to go in the second half. Made no difference.

The zone not working. Syracuse has lost its last 4 games. Winning teams in each instance hit 90 points. Boeheim understands. Assumes responsibility: “We have not been able to stop anybody four games in a row. And that’s on me. It’s my defense. We’re not able to stop anybody with it. That’s where we are.”

I meet Fran and Tom Dixon at 5 at the Chart Room.

Enjoy your day!