Golf’s greatest had fusion surgery on his right ankle in New York City. It is expected he will be unable to play competitively the rest of the year. The doctor who performed the surgery said it was successful. However, time will be required for healing.

It is Tiger’s body. His to use as he sees fit. His desire for another major win his driving force. His judgment controls.

I personally think he should pack it in. It is doubtful anyone will ever reach the heights he has in the golf world. Nevertheless, his call.

Another major figure is suffering. California’s Senator Feinstein. A member of the Senate for 31 years since entering in 1992. 

Age has take its toll. Her present problem is shingles. It has done her in since February.  She has been unable to perform her Senate duties in Washington since then.

She is a member of the Judiciary Committee. Democrats control the Committee by 1 vote 11-10. The Judiciary Committee approves federal judges. A backlog has developed because Feinstein is unavailable to be present to vote. The Republicans have refused to permit another Democrat to sit in her seat so the judicial processing may proceed.

Understandable. It’s called politics.

The importance of a vote taking place is clear when one recalls how Senator McConnell blocked 2 separate votes to the Supreme Court. What he did made possible today’s Republican balance of power on the Court.

No time to make any mistakes regarding approval of the new judges. 

Feinstein should do the right thing. Resign. She has already indicated she does not intend to run again in 2024. Her party and America will respect her decision as the correct one. Otherwise, what occurred with the Supreme Court nominees will occur with this batch of prospective judges. Which will result in fewer Democratic leaning judges making it to the federal bench.

A rape trial begins in federal court next tuesday in New York City. Donald Trump is the defendant.

Trump’s attorney has written the judge asking that Trump’s presence be excused. He advised Trump “wants to appear.” However his presence would require multiple security arrangements. Such he claimed would be cumbersome for the residents of New York so it would be better were Trump not physically present.

What bullshit!

Trump does not want to appear because he does not want to sit and listen to the woman who is accusing him of rape describe what he did and how he did it.

The decision is up to the judge. Or, so I believe. I am not sure a defendant can excuse himself from a trial. The judge’s decision is imminent since the trial begins in a few days. 

McCarthy came out with the House Republican budget plan yesterday. Finally! I would describe it as dead on arrival. 

The debt ceiling merely requires a vote to approve/increase the present budget by unanticipated dollars already spent during the past fiscal year. It does not involve any new bills. 

The problem generally was resolved by an automatic vote by both parties till recent years. Now the Republicans want to make something out of nothing. They yell how the Dems are increasing the budget. Not so. Merely approving monies already spent with Republican House approval. Nothing new added.

McCarthy in his bill has added cuts to existing bills already law so as to eliminate $4.5 trillion from already approved programs.

He is playing dirty.

Biden says no way.

Republicans could force the government to close down in a couple of months because it will have run out of money if the debt ceiling is not increased. Economic disaster for the U.S. and world. Markets will crash. Federal employees will be laid off. Social Security checks will not go out. Medicare bills will not be paid.

Not the way to run a government. Especially our government.

DeSantis keeps attacking Mickey Mouse and all of Disneyworld. Now he threatens to build a jail next to Disneyworld. Terrific place for a jail. Next door to where thousands of children come every day to visit Mickey and friends.

There may be some wisdom to DeSantis’ folly. Perhaps he is practicing with Mickey to get ready for sitting across the table from Putin, Xi, and Jung.

Respectfully, he’s an asshole!

Some gas stations in Key West and the lower Keys have been without gas the past couple of days. The rains in Fort Lauderdale and Miami last week kept fuel trucks from making their runs to the Keys.

The trucks are on the move again. However Key West and the lower Keys are the end of the line. No fuel left in the tanker trucks for the area. They turn around and return north to refill before even coming close to us.

May the problem get finally resolved today and the gas stations are all up and running.

Party time tonight at La Te Da. More friends have arrived. Buffalo’s Fran and Tom Dixon. We are having dinner together at La Te Da. I look forward to being with them. Great friends for years!

A manicure with Tammy at noon.

Enjoy your day!

Fred Klein Blown Away! Literally. 

The lovely lady in the photo is Lori Moger. Owner of the hair studio Blown Away on White Street across from Fausto’s.

I was unaware till I received the pic from Fred that he has been having his hair cut for 3 years by Lori. I’ve got him beat. She has been doing my hair for 25 years.

Obviously, Fred and I both have good taste. Not only does Lori perform her professional task well, she is one of the most charming persons on the island. Look at the smile on her face! Makes my day. I look forward to my bimonthly visits with her.

The FOX News/Dominion Voting Systems case settled yesterday for $787.5 million. Big bucks!

I learned during my legal career that a “good settlement” in many instances was one where neither side was happy with the result. Such seems to be the case here.

FOX is unhappy it had to pay so much money. The $787.5 million is the largest disclosed defamation settlement in U.S. history. Insurance paid some portion for FOX. However FOX had to dig into its own pocket for significant dollars.

On the other side, I am confident Dominion itself is happy with the result. It covered their losses and more. Dominion took a beating from FOX’s actions. It has taken time for the Company to get recompense as well as justice.

So who is the unhappy “client” on the Dominion side? The American public. The moaning by the media and people disgraceful. The American people did not lose business and money because of FOX’s lies. They did not have to finance attorney and expert fees during the course of the lawsuit. They have merely been observers sitting on the side with no financial involvement.

The public’s disappointment in not seeing FOX admit its lies and other wrongdoings as part of the settlement is misplaced. The public had no fork in the fire money wise.

This is how lawsuits end. With dollar settlements or verdicts. Very rarely an apology. I cannot recall one in my experience. Money benefits one side to the detriment of the other. The real disaster would have been if Dominion tried the case to a conclusion and for some incomprehensible reason the jury let FOX off. That would have been wrong and painful to Dominion.

The word coming out of Georgia is that Trump’s supporters slowly but surely are deserting him in the Georgia election investigation. They are ratting on each other.

First radical not understandable decisions rocked the boat. Now money shenanigans by Clarence Thomas.

The heretofore non touchable pure Supreme Court is tainted. Dirty the appropriate term.

Does the smear apply to other Justices? Probably so. I know not who or what. However, if one has gotten away with improper activities for 20 some odd years, it would seem that one or two others have also.  One rotten apple in a barrel infects others.

What to do?

Investigate them all.

Who would do the investigating? That is the question, the problem.

Supreme Court oversight is minable. Some of Thomas’ activities have been referred to a committee of federal judges for review. The issue his failure to disclose. He will disclose even before the committee reaches a conclusion and that probably would be the end of it.

It does not provide “justice” as regards Thomas nor does it include the other 8 Justices.

My solution a simple one. Guaranteed to work. The media should investigate the other Justices as a matter of course. The Washington Post, New York Times, and other major publications have the staff and know how. They should begin such an investigation immediately. Following which let the chips fall where they may. If there is wrongdoing by others, let it be known. Let the pressure be applied. Force their resignations or indictments depending on the severity of that which is discovered.

I have planted the seed. Go for it!

Dinner last monday night with my visiting friends Theos and Dina Markis from Greece. The A & B Lobster House. We stayed long and had a wonderful time!

This day in 1775 a significant one in American history. The American Revolution began. The first shoots were fired at the Battles of Lexington and Concord. The result admirable. Big trees from little acorns grow.

Enjoy your day!

Another mass shooting. A sweet 16 party in Dadeville, Alabama. Four teenagers killed, 28 wounded.

Occurred 10:34 last night.

Further details unavailable at this time.

Robert Reich was Secretary of Labor under President Clinton. He recently penned an article titled “The Modern Republican Party Is Hurtling Towards Fascism.”

He wrote, the GOP is fast becoming the “American fascist party.” He attributes such to having been inspired by Donald Trump. He added, the GOP is “careening at high velocity toward authoritarianism. OK, fascism.”

He further wrote, the Republican party has become ” a win at any cost…..scorched earth tactics” one where the GOP has “legitimatized and encouraged the ends-justify-the means viciousness now pushing the GOP toward becoming America’s fascist party.”

Truth, well written.

A good portion of the dinner conversation saturday night with Theos concerned the spread of fascism in Europe and the Middle East. He says other nations are experiencing the same problems authoritarianism wise as the U.S. His country Greece one for example. India another, I suspect we will be touching base re the subject again tonight when we dine at A & B Lobster House.

A Letter to the Editor in the Sun Sentinel 4/16 re Governor DeSantis: “He was elected governor, not king…..He wields his administrative power like a spoiled toddler with a chainsaw…..He could care less how his ill-conceived retaliatory actions affect the citizens of Florida.”

Syracuse center Jesse Edwards will play basketball at West Virginia next season.

I do not approve of the transfer portal. It’s a money talks situation. It should not be a part of college basketball.

Came across a quote in Wisdom of the Ages: “A man chases a woman till she catches him.”

So true!

Enjoy your day!

I practiced law for 46 years. All courts. Federal, state and local. Before all kinds of judges. By all kinds, I refer to their dispositions. Some were cantankerous, some pleasant, some should have worked in another profession. One thing was constant however. They were all honest.

I have been retired 17 years. Things have changed in that time. Especially with certain Republican judges. They now reflect something bad. A sickness. A touch of dishonesty that did not exist before. Clarence Thomas leads the pack. A Supreme Court Justice no less.

Now comes Matthew Kacsmaryk. The Texas federal judge who declared a certain pill, used among other purposes to initiate an abortion, was illegal. The man a Trump appointee.

Turns out Kacsmaryk is a “dark judge” (I refer not to the color of his skin) in black robes.

In 2017, he submitted an article to a Texas law review criticizing Obama-era protections for transgender people and those seeking abortions. A few months later, he asked an editor of the law journal to remove his name as author and submit the name of two colleagues at his legal group First Liberty Institute. The email making the request said it was made for “reasons I may discuss at a later date.”

It was done.

The “reason” was Kacsmaryk was under serious consideration for a federal judgeship and it was obvious his comments in the law review would kill his chances.

We now understand why he wanted his name removed. He would never have been approved for the judgeship because of his anti transgender and anti pill positions.

Kacsmaryk should be impeached. He obtained his judgeship under false pretenses. His actions fraudulent. No person so deceitful should be permitted to sit in judgment on others.

MAGA persons come out with the craziest positions. Not just bordering on the weird. Weird!

One of the most recent is a social media chip by alt-right Trump supporter Ethan Schmidt-Crockett. He said women, particularly single ones, should not own dogs: “It is a major red flag…..super weird…..Super cringe…..Should be outlawed in the U.S.”

I leave the rest to your imagination.

A sicko!

Air Force reservist Teixeira has been arrested and charged with espionage. The full force of the law should fall upon him. Listen not to the idle talk he is only 21, a good kid, etc. He is a traitor. Loud and clear! Do not be misled.

The Phantom of the Opera closes today after 35 years and 13,981 performances.

One of America’s great musicals. It will return in 10 years. Great performances never disappear forever.

I was fortunate to have seen the show on Broadway 4 times.

A terrific dinner last night. Food and company the best! I dined with my good friends from Greece Theos and Dina Markis at La Te Da. 

It was a long night. We sat and talked and talked and talked.

We are getting together again tomorrow night. They leave Wednesday.

Enjoy your Sunday!

Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville chosen for entry into the Library of Congress.

An honor.

Buffett completed Margaritaville 66 miles south of Miami on U.S. 1. He began writing it on a napkin in a Mexican restaurant in Austin, Texas while driving to an airport to return to Key West. On the drive down from Miami, there was a fender bender on the Seven Mile Bridge. He found himself sitting on the sidewalk, starring out at Pigeon Key, when he finished Margaritaville.

Buffett played Margaritaville for the first time that evening at Crazy Ophelia’s on Duval Street. Everyone loved it so he sang it a second time.

On this day in 1829, a Temperance Society was proposed for Key West.

There was a temperance movement nationally in those days. I could not find one ever being established in Key West, however.

Jack Teixeira is the 21 year old Massachusetts Air National Guardsman who leaked hundreds of pages of classified military intelligence.

Two observations.

The first is he has only been charged with two crimes. One carries a 10 year sentence, the other 5 years. If sentenced consecutively, he will only face 15 years. Not enough time.

The man has revealed secret military information. Among the highest of military information. His crimes worthy of a minimum of 20 years, with no time off for good behavior. The Rosenberg’s were executed for providing atomic secrets. Teixeira lucky his wrongdoings short of what the Rosenbergs did.

I am generally soft in my feelings. However blowing military data is a big deal. It jeopardizes the lives of many others. In the hundreds and thousands. He must pay. And others must see the payment is severe. Otherwise, many will start doing what he did. The first gun killings were minimal. Look how they have increased over the years.

My second observation involves Marjorie Taylor Greene. A winner!

Crazy Greene has spoken out: “Jack Teixeira is a white, male Christian, and anti war. That makes him an enemy to the Biden regime.”

Teixeira did not do it because he was anti war. He did it to show off to his 20-30 friends in a chat room.

Clarence Thomas’ list of sins grows!

Harlan Crow purchased 3 houses from Thomas. Total price in excess of $100,000. One of the houses was Thomas’ mother’s home.

There is a federal law requiring Supreme Court Justices to disclose any real estate sales in excess of $1,000. Thomas did not disclose the sales per the law.

All his “wrongdoings” lead me to believe I was correct 30 years ago when Thomas denied Anita Hill’s claims at the Judiciary Committee Confirmation Hearing. I thought Thomas lied at the time.

Thomas is in a position where he should resign. Would be a class act. If the man has any class. I doubt he does.

Will the Supreme Court act on its own? I doubt it also. Who knows whether any other Justices have skeletons in their closets?

Senator Timothy Eugene Scott is a Republican from South Carolina. H announced this week he is exploring a run for the Republican nomination for President in the 2024 election.

He is anti-abortion. Openly pronounces himself pro life. He supports the NRA. He is black. Even if Trump and DeSantis are not in the race in due course, no way the far right Republicans will support a black man. If I am wrong and he gets the nomination, no way is this country going to support an anti-abortionist and NRA supporter for President.

A Barack Obama he is not!

Like a thief in the night…..DeSantis signed a new Florida abortion bill in the dark. At 11 pm thursday night.

He lacked the balls to openly sign the 6 week abortion law in the light of day with witnesses all around.

My friends Theo and Dina Markis are in from Greece. They visit Key West 2-3 times a year. We are having dinner tonight at La Te Da. 

I look forward to seeing them again.

Enjoy your day!

God bless Lynda Frechette!

Jimmy Olson complimented Lynda in a lengthy column in this week’s Key West Weekly: 2023 Aqua Idol Raises More Than $50K For Waterfront Playhouse.

Lynda has been organizing and running Aqua Idol for years. No easy task.

I knew she was successful. I did not know to what extent, however. This year $54,380.

Key West is fortunate Lynda and Bob opted to settle here many years ago.

You are the best!

House Republicans have failed thus far. Though in control of the House, they have accomplished nothing. In Shakespeare’s words, they are “full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.”

Washington columnist Dana Milbank wrote a combined humorous and sad column today titled: Finally, Republicans Tackle The No. 1 Issue in Washington.

The item she zeroed in on and some others mentioned. Note each is what Republican House members have been arguing.

The biggest is decriminalization of public urination in Washington, D.C. The City has created a Criminal Code Revision Committee. The Committee wants to reduce public urination from a crime to a civil violation. House Republicans are opposed.

Much time has been spent by House Republicans on what is now being referred to as the Great Public Piss Debate of 2023.

At the same time, House Republicans have decided the near daily mass shootings in the U.S. are not to be handled by them. Their position “we’re not gonna fix it.” Peeing on the streets apparently is more important than children being killed in schools.

House Republicans also held 3 hearings on Hunter Biden’s laptop. Additionally important to them, a “crisis” hearing re the “threat” of an invasion by Canada.

Important matters the House Republicans have failed to effectively address include legislation on the border and drafting a budget.

Query: Are Congressional Republicans f–ked up? Only way to describe how they’re running the House.

Biden is in Ireland for four days. Home of his ancestry. All news reports are he is happy to be there and is enjoying his ancestorial visit.

Good for him!

Pete Rose is 82 years old today. 

It is time to reverse his ejection from all things involving professional baseball. He has paid his dues. Time for him to be accepted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.

One of the saddest days in American history. On this day in 1865, Abraham Lincoln was shot and mortally wounded.

Another sad event occurred on this day. The year 1912.

The British liner Titanic struck an iceberg in the North Atlantic. Within 2 hours 40 minutes the ship sunk. Loss of lives 1,514.

The Blue Angels. Their air spectacular saturday and sunday. They began practicing yesterday (thursday). Flew over the golf course several times. I was on my porch. They came over low. So close, I thought I could reach up and touch them. I was speaking with my neighbor Connie at the time. Impossible to hear each other when they swept over. 

I understand they flew sky high over Duval. Not on Stock Island. Almost rooftop high. Exciting!

An increasing comment by locals appeared in the Citizens’ Voice this morning. Intimating a feeling expressed by many long term locals: “We bought our house in Old Town 24 years ago. Recently we seem to like the vibe in town less and less. We just shopped for homes in Old San Juan and it feels so better just walking around town. Might be time for a change.”

Enjoy your day!

Jack Smith is a fast moving dynamo. Appointed by Attorney General Merrick Garland as Special Counsel re two criminal matters the Department of Justice was investigating. The January 6 insurrection and the mishandling of classified documents at Mar-a-Lago.

The final decision to prosecute lies not with Smith, however. Under the rules of the DOJ, Smith recommends to the Attorney General. It is Garland’s decision in the final analysis whether to indict.

Garland the wrong man to make that decision. He is not mentally equipped to make the decision from a prosecutorial point of view. His speed is that of a tortoise. His mind that of a long time Washington figure.

Garland does not understand the role his job entails. On a practical basis, his prosecutorial judgment is corrupted.

I have written several times re Garland as a prosecutor, his inability to do the job properly, etc. Two are repeated here. They express my concern right on.

The first set forth was published 9/8/21 and titled Is Merrick Garland Up To The Job? Incorporated in that blog is the first blog I wrote concerning Garland’s competency 4 months earlier on 5/13/21 as part of Morning Stew #48.

My concerns have not changed.

Merrick Garland has had a distinguished career. First as the lead investigator in securing the conviction of the Oklahoma City bomber 25 years ago. Followed by 20 years as a federal appellate judge.

Now he is Attorney General. Only a few months. Time waits for no man, however. As Biden’s plate is full, so is Garland’s.

He has to move his ass. He is working too slowly. His decision making is that of a judge. Deliberate and analytical. Yes or no must be answered with clarity when a judge. A prosecutor has more leeway.

Three things are not getting the attention they deserve. Some the Justice Department not even involved in, though they should be. The three are the new Texas voting law, the new Texas abortion law, and the January 6 investigation.

The January 6 investigation needs the power of the FBI in directing the investigation, issuing subpoenas, etc. Not to say the House will not do a good job. However the House can be played with politically during the course of its investigation. The FBI not.

Subpoenas would have already been issued. Doors knocked on at 5 in the morning with court orders for records, etc.

Speed is demanded in the three matters specified. Perhaps in others also.

I had a concern when Biden nominated Garland to be Attorney General. I shared it in my blog titled Morning Stew #48 published May 13, 2021. The comment short. I repeat it in its entirety. My concern today similar as back then.

“Merrick Garland was confirmed by the Senate Judiciary Committee this past week for the position of Attorney General. The Senate will confirm him, if it has not already done so.

Garland has been touted as ‘best’ for the job for two reasons.

First, he headed the Oklahoma investigation 25 years ago. Second, he has been a respected federal judge for more than 20 years.

Both experiences qualifying on their faces. However, I question such.

Twenty five years is a long time ago. No one can tell whether he is as good investigating wise today as he was then. A good judge does not necessarily make a good prosecutor. Especially after 20 years as a judge. The mind changes. In some instances, the drive also.

I hope Garland does well and I wish him well. However, he causes me concern.”

It would be a shame if Trump were not called upon to answer for his sins. No person is above the law. Not even a former President.

In recent days, it has been revealed that Supreme Court Justice Thomas and his wife have received free trips over the years from his “friend” Harlan Crow. A jet/super yacht trip to Indonesia costing $500,000 one of the trips. It has also recently come to light that in 2009, Crow provided $500,000 to the political advocacy group Liberty Control founded by Ginni Thomas.

Crow might be described as a “collector” of sorts. He collects judges, politicians, and as recently revealed also Nazi memorabilia.

Bess Levin published an article 4/10/23 in Vanity Fair titled: Clarence Thomas Curiously Silent About His Vacation Buddy’s Nazi Fetish. The article spelled out Crow’s “thing” for collecting Nazi memorabilia. Included are 2 paintings by Hitler, a copy of Mein Kampf signed by Hitler, and a roomful of other items. The article also stated Crow has garden statues of Lenin, Stalin and various other persons of questionable character.

Levin published an article the next day 4/11/23 involving Alvin Bragg and Jim Jordan: Alvin Bragg’s Office Tells Jim Jordan to Take a Road Trip to Ohio If He Wants to Talk About Violent Crime. 

Levin wrote re Jordan’s planned stunt event scheduled for next week: “In the most polite manner, they’ve told the lawmaker from Ohio that he can start his hearing where the sun don’t shine.”

Later yesterday, Bragg initiated a lawsuit to compel Jordan to cease and desist his “intimidation” attempts.

The Tennessee House of Representatives is proving the ancient axiom that every action has an equal and opposite reaction.

House Speaker Cameron Sexton may feel the wrath of his actions in leading the fight in removing black Representatives Jones and Pearson. It has been discovered and revealed that Sexton may not live in the district he is representing. He and his family live in Nashville, a 2 hour drive from his purported district Crosville home. The Crosville residence is a small condo. One he has not paid taxes on in 2 years.

Proving what goes around comes around.

Needless to say, there are Washington Senators and Representatives that are whacks. Those who talk without thinking.

Two examples.

Texas Senator Cruz. He has introduced a new bill: Securing Our Children’s Schools Act. On March 30, he spoke on the Senate floor in support of his bill. One item was to have armed police or guards in schools. He advised that banks have armed police officers/guards and no shootings take place. His message simple. More armed guards in schools, as in banks, and shooters will not dare attempt anything.

A few days later, the Nashville bank shooting where 5 were killed and 9 others injured.

Cruz has been silent regarding the issue since.

Then there is the Mexican fentanyl issue. A gigantic problem also. Senator Cotton and Representatives Crenshaw and Waltz recommend bombing Mexico. They’re serious! Cotton for doing it even without Mexico’s permission.

While in New York City for Trump’s arraignment, Marjorie Taylor Greene likened Donald Trump to Nelson Mandela and Jesus Christ.

Is she mentally stable? Keep in mind this woman is considered the #2 power in the House of Representatives.

A live and learn item. Man is the only “animal” with a chin. Not even chimpanzees and apes have chins.

No one knows why.

Enjoy your day!

‘s thing for collecting

Congratulations are in order!

Sheila Cullen has been on the staff of the Keys Citizen for a number of years. I note in this morning’s paper she has a by-line of sorts. Today in History on age 2. Sheila’s name appears beneath the title for the first time. Congratulations dear friend!

Boys Night Out was its usual success last night. Venue was La Te Da. 

Seven of us.

Met Reiley McDonald for the first time. Nice guy. A snowbird. Home is Lexington, Kentucky. He is a thoroughbred horse trader by profession. He buys and sells horse racing’s best.

Reiley (yes, that is his first name) is a Cornell grad. While there in the 1970’s, he played on two consecutive undefeated lacrosse teams. He was an All-American. He still enjoys the sport of his youth. He volunteers while in Key West as one of the coaches to the high school girl’s lacrosse team.

I labeled Reiley a “nice” guy not only because of his personable nature and continued lacrosse contributions. For an additional reason. A selfish one from my perspective. He reads my blog everyday. Love you, Reiley!

Mike Smith. Another interesting individual. He is retired at 50. God bless him! A successful multi-entrepreneur. A snowbird also. Lives in Connecticut.

Louis Celi aka Brooklyn Celi. An economist. Better described as an economic researcher. Works for himself. He is retained by various companies world wide for different projects.

Fred Klein. Fred got me into this group. Might be described as a semi-retired New York City labor lawyer. Gregarious. He is the one who puts these dinners together. A Syracuse graduate.

Bernard “Bunny” Hyman. Syracuse classmate and life long Fred Klein friend. A snowbird, also. A New York tax certiorari attorney.

My contribution to the group for the first time last night Don Teich. Another snowbird. Visits Key West 4 times a year. He, his wife Chris and I met 15 years ago. A match made in Heaven. Miss them when they are gone. Don owns a piece of a South Korean company. Spends much time in South Korea and otherwise traveling world wide.

Table discussions covered a multitude of sins. Politics part of it. Two of the 7 Trump Republicans, the remaining 5 Democrats.

A portion of the discussion involved firearms. One at the table advised he owned 100 guns. The conversation that followed interesting.

Two ladies were seated at a table next to ours. I was the closest seated next to them. I began a conversation with one of them. Bobette Morin. Turns out she is from Fayetteville, N.Y. Fayetteville is a suburb of Syracuse. She was with her snowbird  friend Mary Ann Steinberg from Appleton, Wisconsin.

I told Bobette I was a milk man while in law school and delivered to Fayetteville. She immediately named my employer. Byrne Dairy. I may have delivered to her home in the late 1950’s.

My Father’s birthday was yesterday. He would have been 109 years old. Dad was born April 10, 1914.

He died at 98. His father at 94. His sister Mary at 102.

Will I make it?

More information is available re the Lexington bank shooting which occurred yesterday morning. Five killed and nine injured. The victims ages 40-64.

One of the injured a 26 year old police officer. New to the job. He was sworn in as a police officer only 10 days before. He was one of the first to enter the bank building and confront the shooter. He was shot in the head and has undergone brain  surgery. His condition critical.

The shooter a disgruntled bank employee. He had received notice he was going to be fired. He armed himself with an AR-15 semi automatic. He also Instagram reordered the shooting as it progressed.

His name Connor Sturgon. A three year employee of the bank at the time of the shooting.

The actor Joel Grey is 91 today. He received an Academy Award As Best Supporting Actor for his role as Master of Ceremonies in Cabaret.  He originated the role of George M. Cohan in the Broadway musical George M!.

Hurricane season does not arrive till June 1. Could be earlier this year. Much earlier.

A storm is presently brewing in the mid Atlantic. Warnings are it could develop into a hurricane. If so, a name has already been selected. Arlene.

Experts advise the storm would be more rain than wind.

Enjoy your day!

Talk about the high cost of groceries!

Certain stores take high priced items and place them under lock and key. Visible, but not available to human touch for fear of theft.

The caution has reached a grocery supermarket in England. Applies to a usual sized tub of butter. Like one pound. Brand name Lurpak. Cost in English pound 5.35. The lock and key is a “security net.” The supermarket Aldi.

A few months ago, I wrote that sportswriters were treating golfer Jon Rahm unfairly. He had been on a winning streak. Sort of a Johnny come lately. They did not feel he had achieved star status yet.

This year alone prior to this week’s Masters, he had won 4 tournaments. Yesterday, he won the Masters.

Does he now qualify for star status?

A great tournament! Rahm began the day 4 strokes out and ended up winning by 4 strokes.

More significantly was Phil Mickelson. He ended up tied for second place 4 strokes behind Rahm. Mickelson somewhere around 50 years old. In his declining year as a golf star. It was exciting to watch him play yesterday where he shot a 65.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced this past week he is running for President in 2024. He is seeking the Democratic nomination.

Kennedy is the nephew of John F. Kennedy and the son of Robert F. Kennedy. He is neither talent wise. He is an odd ball on the family tree.

Proof are those supporting him. Very few. The most notable and his mentor is Steve Bannon. Bannon said Kennedy would make a great “chaos agent” in the Democratic primary.

Bess Levin is a critical political writer for Vanity Fair. She generally is right on. Pulls no punches.

Last November she wrote an article re Rupert Murdoch and Donald Trump. Fit like a glove then, fits like a glove now.

The article published November 10, 2022 was titled: Rupert Murdoch Knees Trump in the Balls While He’s Doubled Over Coughing Up Blood.

The article was clear Trump was no longer in Murdoch’s “warm embrace.” Nothing has changed since. If anything, the two are further apart. The FOX/Dominion lawsuit the influencing factor.

Levin wrote back in November: “The message from the Murdoch owned New York Post, Wall street Journal, and FOX News is clear: Pack your bags bitch. You’re done.”

JUST ANNOUNCED ON TV: ANOTHER MASS SHOOTING.

A mass shooting occurred minutes ago in a bank in Louisville, Kentucky. Five dead, six hospitalized. One of the dead may be the shooter. Quick police arrival. Shooting on going when first police arrived. No other information available.

Manhattan indictment now behind Trump. He has been indicted. 

Is there a next indictment? I would put my money on Georgia. Could occur in the next few weeks. As soon as by the end of this month.

It will be a WOW!.

The Jose Marti Monument continues to maintain its prominent position in Bayview Park. Marti a part of Key West history.

It was on this day in 1937 the Monument was unveiled. Marie Gusten, Matron of the Mercedes Hospital, presided over the ceremony.

Party time tonight. Boys Night Out. Six of us for dinner at La Te Da. Most Syracuse University related.

Enjoy your day!