Bess Levin referred to Ron DeSantis in a recent article as an “incredible jerk.”

So he is!

His 2024 prospects are rapidly dwindling. Anyone who is stupid enough to take on Mickey Mouse is not mentally equipped to be President.

On this day in 1960, the FDA approved the birth control pill. The U.S. was the first country to legalize the pill.

Beware! Banning the pill’s sale in the U.S. could be a “natural extension” of the overall banning of matters involving a woman’s reproductive rights. Don’t say oh! it couldn’t happen, the pill has been around for 60 years. Roe v. Wade was around for 50. It happened!

Some Texas observations.

The Allen mall shooting was saturday.

A retired police and military officer was first on the scene. The actual first responder. He was responding to a telephone call from his son who was working at a store in the mall. He was in his car nearby and immediately drove over.

His first observations mind blowing.

He saw what he thought was a woman hunched over. Went to help her. Turned her around. Her face was totally blown off. Only her brain exposed.

He saw a child lying under 2 adults. The adults were dead. The child was 4 or 5 years old. Totally covered in blood. He could not tell if it was a boy or girl.

I could not determine from the facts released if the child was dead or alive.

The shooter Mauricio Garcia, age 33. A Nazi at heart. A supporter of Nazi ideology. He used an AR-15 style rifle. What else? He had purchased it legally in Texas where it is extremally easy to buy all type guns. Multiple weapons were also found in his car. Also purchased legally, of course.

Texas governor Greg Abbott continues to avoid the “gun issue” in commenting on the Allen shooting. He claims the cause was “anger” and “mental health.”

 A distraction. An intentional one. When are human lives going to take on an importance over guns in Texas and the rest of the U.S.?

Repeating myself with a refrain I have been using frequently of late, the solution is to vote Republicans out of office. Crazy to return them to office. All they’re good for are prayers and sorrow. Not correcting the problem.

Sunday was more Texas killings. In Brownsville. Not with a gun, however. A motor vehicle. An SUV. The SUV ended up in an immigrant shelter. Eight persons killed, ten injured.

George Alvarez the operator of the vehicle, age 34. Alive. He has been charged with 8 counts of manslaughter and numerous counts of aggravated assault. Bail set at $3.6 million.

Alvarez had an extensive rap sheet including assault and driving while intoxicated.

Re the event, he ran a red light, lost control, the vehicle flipped on its side and hit 18 people. He tried to flee the scene, but was detained by bystanders.

Specific cause of the crash still under investigation.

How a great one became activated/motivated to do better. Ernest Hemingway: “For a long time now I have tried simply to write the best I can. Sometimes I have good luck and write better than I can.”

There was the Phantom of the Opera. Now, the Cockroach at the Met.

I suspect the cockroach will live as long as the Phantom has.

Many who have resided in Key West a few years will tell you the island rests on a bed of cockroaches.

The Met Gala was held recently. An exclusive event. Without a written invitation, no admission. A cockroach got in without invitation. Caused quite a stir. Screams followed by laughter could be heard on video.

The roach escaped. Without question, will return another day.

Received x-ray reports from Dr. Norris yesterday. X-rays were of both hands and upper right arm. All negative.

I continue to suspect the periodic extreme pain in my hands is arthritis. My right arm, I don’t know. Can only lift it 60 percent. No recent falls, so cause remains a mystery.

Enjoy your day!

My blog today one of historical significance. I publish it because there is much to be learned from history. History teaches.

The good is always be remembered, the bad forgotten. Forgotten with lessons that should be recalled as a constant reminder of what not to do.

Before delving into the lesson recalling blog planned for today, I am compelled to briefly comment on the recent carnage in Texas. Two events on the same day. One in Allen, the other Brownsville. One by gun, the other by an SUV.

Texans are killers at heart. Remind me of the Old West when it comes to death by gun shot wounds.

Texas has had more shooting deaths in recent years than any other State. Only a handful have done the shooting. The rest of the populace has suffered. And complain!

My problem is most Texans bear responsibility. Their guns the ballot box. They have voted and revoted basically the same Republicans into office. I find it hard to understand.

The solution is new laws limiting guns, not making it easier for people to possess. Ergo the cure is the ballot box. Texans, use it properly the next time around.

I wrote the following blog 8/15/14. It bears repeating.

GLORY AND DISGRACE

The first year of Great Britain’s participation in World War II was marked with glory and disgrace. The glory of the highest type. The disgrace the worst imaginable.

Two battles were involved. The Air Battle for Britain and the Fall of Singapore.

The Air Battle for Britain is recognized as memorable. A high point in British history. Englishmen fighting bravely against overwhelming odds.

The air battle began on July 10, 1940 and ended on October 31, 1940. A mere three and a half months. Germany bombed England relentlessly during that time frame. Hitler was of the opinion he could bomb the Brits into submission. He ordered Britain to be bombed every day.
Initially, the bombing was of airfields, infrastructure, and factories. A month into the bombings, Hitler decided to terrorize the English people. He bombed the cities.

London was especially targeted.

Germany had significantly more planes and experienced pilots than Britain. By the thousands. The Brits were defended by RAF volunteers. Primarily young men dedicated to defeating the German onslaught.

Hitler considered his Luftwaffe superior. Defeat never entered his mind. Defeated he and Germany were, however. By young fighter and bomber pilots . Ill experienced at the start of the battle. Seasoned warriors in less than four months. The young pilots went up to defend their country several times a day every day.

Hitler became so frustrated with his losses that he ordered the raids on England to stop on October 31. He was not going to lose one more plane over England. He ordered the Luftwaffe to Russia.

Churchill labeled the British victory in words that most everyone is familiar with to this day: “Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few.”

Glory can be fleeting. It was in the case of Great Britain. One year later, Singapore fell to the Japanese.

A loss in and of itself is not significant. It is the way one loses. Great Britain threw in the towel in Singapore basically without firing one bullet.

On February 15, 1942, the British commander surrendered the 130,000 troops under his command to the Japanese. The British commander was unaware at the time that the Japanese only had a few thousand troops on the island and the Japanese were very low on ammunition.

The British commander gave up Singapore without a fight. A battle never occurred. That is why the time in Singapore’s history is referred to as the Fall of Singapore, rather than the Battle for Singapore. It marked the end of the British Empire. It is known in history as the day the Empire died. The day the British empire fell apart.

Why no battle? A number of reasons.

The 130,000 troops under British command consisted of British, Indian and Australian troops. None wanted to fight. The British were living in another world. Even their military prowess. It was Victorian in nature. From another time. The Brits were also overconfident.

They considered themselves superior to the little yellow man. One prominent English civil servant in Singapore wanted to know whether it would take more than a day to throw the little men off the island. The soldiers themselves were overconfident. They were of the opinion the Japanese would never make it to shore. They would die in the water.

Great Britain had poured a ton of money in 1938 into fortifying and upgrading Singapore’s defenses. No one would be able to penetrate or take Singapore. The story is similar to the French Marginal Line. Singapore was also a large naval base.

The Brits expected an attack from the sea. The Japanese did not come in by the sea. They came in through the back door. The Malayan Peninsula. Through the streaming jungles on foot. No heavy motorized equipment. They stole bicycles to move forward when they reached Singapore.

The Japanese were ruthless along the way. They took no prisoners.

There were some approaching Japanese vessels. Two of Britain’s best ships went out to meet and destroy the enemy two days before
Singapore surrendered. The battleship Prince of Wales and cruiser Repulse. Both were sunk.

Britain was still plagued by World War I where it lost a generation of its young men. Britain was reluctant to lose more.

It is assumed this affected the mentality of the British generals, also.

Forty thousand Indian troops were a part of the 130,000 under British command. India had been clashing with Britain for years for independence.

Britain would not bend an inch to give them any type independence.

The Indians refused to fight. In fact after the surrender, 30,000 joined the Japanese forces and fought with them the rest of the war.

Some of them became guards at the POW camp established to keep the British troops.

The Australians were not much better. One third of the Australians deserted before the Japanese even set foot on Singapore.

The Australian commander, Lt. General Gordon Bennett, did not desert. He did leave his men, however. To avoid capture, he hopped a small boat with a couple of other officers and made his way to Australia.

The Australians were upset because the Brits did not treat them as equals. They were white as the British were.

However, the British considered and treated the Australians as lower type whites.

The British were fond of social clubs. Places where British were welcome. One was Raffles. The Australians were not welcome at the British social clubs.

They were forced to socialize at Indian and Chinese clubs.

Churchill and the British cabinet in several wires ordered the British commanders on Singapore to stand and fight to the death. The words went unheeded.

The British commander surrendered with out even firing a shot.

The British Empire was no more.

Another Texas massacre. At an Allen, Texas mall.

Love these Texans. They always express sorrow. Always “pray” for everyone involved. That’s it, however. Merely lip service. They do nothing to actually stop the shootings. Instead continue to make it easier for people to get guns.

The “line-up” by officials to share news re yesterday’s shooting typical Texas “nothing bullshit.” Deep sorrow and prayers. No facts.

Texans, wise up! Vote these deviant Texas Republicans out of office. You need to do so in order to straighten your out of control/no control gun laws. Fail to do so will result in the next person killed being a member of your family. Perhaps a child. Too late for you!

I do not recall a scenario similar to this year’s Kentucky Derby. 

Seven of the entrees died in the week leading up to the Derby itself. Five prior to the day, two more euthanized the morning of the Derby.

Five horses scratched also. One was the favorite Forte. Scratched the morning of the race. I mentioned yesterday that friend and Key West snowbird Reiley McDonald owns a piece of Forte. Forte stumbled on the track Thursday. Sustained a bruised right foot. State veterinarians concurred in the decision to scratch Forte.

David Taylor is an old Key West basketball friend. We used to watch Syracuse and Kentucky play. Not necessarily each other. We sometimes went  to Jack Flats, sat at the bar next to each other, I watching Syracuse on one TV set and he Kentucky on another.

Several years ago, David and his wife tired of Key West, sold and returned to Kentucky. We still communicate, however.

David sent me an email yesterday. He attended the Kentucky Derby once. Never again. His position being the experience could never be equaled.

It was 50 years ago. He was a college student in shorts, tennis shoes and a short sleeved T-shirt. Partied and watched from the infield. Cheapest admission. 

Three reasons why it was his one and only.

The first, Secretariat won. He wrote he was unable to get to the rail, but did see his legs go by.

Second reason, there was a “streaker.” A bold, courageous young idiot who shed every thread of clothing and climbed to the top of the Churchill Downs’ flagpole. They had to wait till he came down on his own. He captured the world’s attention.

Final reason, when the race was run and the party over, his shoes and shirt (which he had shed because of the heat) were gone.

He had to walk barefoot and shirtless back to his car. All he had were his car keys and a few dollars.

David closed his email with: “Why would I ever return? What could top it?”

He further admonished the best seat in the house is in front of your TV. There is no issue with parking or finding a bathroom.

Signed: “It’s all good – David in Kentucky.”

The Coronation was impressive. Emotional. A bit of tradition every 70 years does not hurt.

I visited Westminster many years ago. Overwhelming. A must see for anyone visiting London.

American millionaire Alfred Vanderbilt died this day in 1915. He was only 38 years old.

He died a hero saving women and children aboard the liner Lusitania which was sunk by a German U-boat. Lives lost totaled 1,198.

Ronald Reagan: “The most terrifying words in the English language are: I’m from the government and I’m here to help.”

One in three Americans have done jail time. Between 70 million and 100 million.

The number disgraceful. Highest in the world. We “arrest and jail” for everything.

Assistance following discharge equally disgraceful. We make life difficult for persons with “records.” Thereby guaranteeing they will be involved in another criminal act(s) in order to survive. Having even a minor criminal record, such as a misdemeanor or even an arrest without conviction, can create an array of lifelong barriers that stand in the way of successful re-entry.

Enjoy your Sunday!

A special day. Basked in tradition. The Coronation of Charles III and the 149th running of the Kentucky Derby.

I have watched better than half the Coronation this morning. Emotional. The sense of tradition at the forefront. Bless the English. They know how to do it.

Both the King and Queen were deserving of the honor bestowed them. Charles literally waited a lifetime. He is in his early 70’s. Camilla of non-royal blood who spent a lifetime initially as Charles lover and then wife. 

Strange Kentucky Derby this year. The 147th running of the Derby marred by the pre death of four horses. Twenty were to have run. The number dropped to 16. Three horses have been substituted in. Still one short of the 20.

One hundred fifty thousand will attend the Derby. It has been reported 522,000 cans of beer, 142,000 hot dogs, and 120,000 mint juleps will be consumed.

This year’s race bears a special interest on my part. A relatively new friend and part of the Boys Night Out group is Reiley McDonald. I mentioned him following our last gathering at La Te Da. Reiley owns a piece of Forte. Forte is the favorite in today’s race.

I wish Forte and Reiley well. I will be pulling for them.

Ginni Thomas’ reputation is growing by leaps and bonds. She is out of the shadows. A good factor. Out where all can see the corruption that cloaks her.

Ginni Thomas has had a trading stock for years. I was unaware. It was announced her stock will soon be listed on the New York Stock Exchange. The recent notoriety though bad, has been healthy for the stock. Her success in life amazing. Wife of a Supreme Court Justice and “owner” of a major corporation.

Her stock is being recommended as a “strong buy.”

Bess Levin published an article yesterday in Vanity Fair re Ginni: “Oops: Ginni Thomas’s Firm Also Received Cash Payments From A Conservative With Business Before The Supreme Court.”

Hide the money! Which she did.

Levin’s opening sentence to the article: “It sure sounds like Clarence and Ginni Thomas are the most corrupt couple in Washington.”

Levin points out during “the last month, a picture of corruption…..Any other government employee would be fired for much less.”

Clarence and Ginni will likely experience no repercussions. Such is wrong!!!

Yesterday turned out to be one of horrors for me.

I had several things to accomplish. Eight in number. Made a list and the order in which I would do what had to be done. Got through the first 7. Eight would have been too much. I was totally exhausted. Wiped out.

I worked at the list from 5am to 3 pm. Five in the morning not unusual. I begin my blog around that time each morning. The wipe out arrived with #7. I went to the hospital for x-rays. Sign in normally has three persons. Only one yesterday. Apparently all day. It took around 2 1/2 hours to sign in. 

The sign in person was very apologetic. She acknowledged things got screwed up and was sorry. No sweat, I assured her.

Actually, it was. Sitting around waiting is what did me in.

I had 3 parts of my body to be x-rayed. Fifteen pictures. Took less than 10 minutes when they finally got to me. Two and one half hour wait for less than 10 minutes of service. Bad day at Black Rock!

I went home and directly to bed. Fell asleep for 3 hours.

Slept well last night. Feel fine today.

Busy afternoon ahead. Sloan and I will be working again on Jack Baron and some other items. About 2 hours work involved.

Enjoy your day!

Another example of decline in the U.S. in religious attendance. Hebrew schools are experiencing a significant drop-off. Enrollment fell by roughly 50 percent between 2006 and 2020. Information re the reduction can be found in a report by The Jewish Education Project, a nonprofit that supports Jewish educators.

The Hebrew schools are commonly referred to as supplementary Hebrew schools. Students attend in addition to public or secular private schools to learn the Hebrew language, Jewish rituals and history.

The number of schools that closed during the period covered in the study was 536.

I had an echo test at my heart doctor’s office yesterday. Deborah the echo tech performed the test. A charming woman. Originally from New York and California.

She “did me” last year also. May she do me next year and for many years to come. If I continue to be available for the test means I am still alive!

Treated myself to a late lunch after the test at Hogfish.

A 30 ton fin whale got into difficulties at sea off Bridington, East Yorkshire, England. Fifty five feet long. The whale washed up on the beach and died.

The whale’s body has become a macabre tourist attraction.

Authorities are having a problem. How to remove the carcass without cutting it up? The issue is still under consideration.

Cause of death has not been determined.

Supreme Court disclosures remind me of the song Onward Christian Soldiers. The adverse disclosures keep moving on as the Christian soldiers did. One consideration involved. The Christian soldiers marched in a noble cause. Nothing noble about the wrongdoings of the Justices or their spouses.

Yesterday two more negatives revealed re Clarence Thomas. His sugar daddy paid very expensive tuition for Thomas’ great nephew who he considers his son. At two different schools. Total dollar amount exceeding $100,000.

Then there is Clarence’s wife Ginni. She has developed a hell of a track record on her own. Yesterday it was revealed she emailed 29 Arizona legislators to overthrow Biden’s victory by appointing new electors.

The media has gone easy on Chief Justice Roberts so far. It wants Roberts to testify before Congress expecting him to tell Congress how the Court will clean itself up or whatever. Good luck! He is not going to testify. Forget the separation of powers argument. His reason is the $10.3 million his wife Jane was paid on her job selecting attorneys to work for law firms.

Clarence and Ginni Thomas, John and Jane Roberts, and Neil Gorsuch named so far. Only the tip of the iceberg. More to come. As sure as the sun rises every morning.

Proud Boys lengthy 5 month trial finally came to an end. Charged were 5 leaders of the organization. Four were convicted of seditious conspiracy. All 5 convicted of other charges. Four face up to 50 years in jail, one 30 years.

Re January 6, the court system is working as it should. Three cases, convictions in all. Plus a multitude of minor convictions and pleas of guilty in other cases.

Next, the big one. Trump and other leaders of the insurrection. Assuming grand jury indictments are forthcoming.

Caught Trump on TV playing golf in Ireland yesterday. He claimed the New York rape trial was unfair, he was upset, etc. He sounded genuinely pissed off. An act however I am sure. Claimed he was returning to the U.S. to testify at the trial.

The proof portion of the trial ended yesterday. Summations, the court’s charge and the case going to the jury scheduled for monday. For all practical purposes, the case is over.

Not for Donald. Never for Donald. He always seems to get his way with manipulating the court system.

Trump’s attorneys said he was neither going to appear nor testify. Now he “says” he wants his day in court.

The judge is bending over for him. The judge announced that Trump has till 5 pm sunday to advise whether he will appear to testify.

Bravado Donald will not appear. His gambit all a show.

I am irritated. How many chances does Trump get? The judicial system bends over to accommodate his whims. No one else would receive such courtesies. Makes it appear Trump can use the judicial system as he choses. As if he owned it. I am referring to how he uses the system, not the results he gets. Trump has to be the biggest loser in history when it comes to final court decisions.

I guarantee Donald will not be in court monday to testify. His plane may break down, he may get sick, etc. Some excuse will be forthcoming.

Tomorrow, the Kentucky Derby. 

On this day in 1973, Secretariat won the Kentucky Derby. The first of his Triple Crown victories.

A big time Key West musical week! The 27th Annual Key West Songwriters’ Festival. It will run through the 7th.

Highlights daily. A special one saturday night. A free “block party” in the 200 block of Duval. A high energy event headlined by Michael Ray.

Enjoy!

A Citizens’ Voice comment today: “Attention, all Key West octogenarians – a South Carolina woman predicts your death within the next 5 years. Be careful, be very careful.”

How do I describe her statement/prediction? Such arrogance. Of course many of us in our 80’s may be no more in the next 5 years. Some will make it, however. Even to their 100’s.

My 80ish friends, enjoy your lives. What will be, will be. There is merit to that old saying to eat, drink and make merry, for tomorrow we die. We just don’t know when. Ergo, take advantage of every day. Just don’t abuse your body. It could have a negative effect.

A manicure at noon with Tammy. I try to live well.

Enjoy your day!

Shooting and gun killing has become the All American sport. A game played daily.

The two most recent occurred in Atlanta and Oklahoma.

An Atlanta hospital shooting killed 1 and injured 4. In Oklahoma, a sex offender fatally shoot his wife, her 3 children and 2 teen girls before killing himself.

When is all this shooting going to stop? The solution lies with our elected representatives. Especially legislators on the state and federal scene. Eighty percent of Americans know serious gun controls are needed. Elected officials know also. However, they are reluctant to do the right thing. They are fearful of losing NRA political contributions and support.

They are “stupids!” Most will still win elections if they buck the NRA and openly support the desires of 80 percent of the American people. The problem is they are “cowards” as well as stupid.

American voters must rebel against them and only vote for candidates who openly promise to vote the necessary laws to limit guns.

On this day in 1970, Ohio National Guardsmen opened fire during an anti-Vietnam protest at Kent State University. Four students were killed, nine wounded.

I remember the event well. I was 35 years old at the time.

The event and shooting was a total screw up. Everyone was protesting the Vietnam War at the time. Even private citizens in street marches. Doctors, lawyers, ministers, etc.  University protests were common.

The Kent State protest by students began on May 1. It grew by day and became a mountain developing from a mole hill. Nixon was anti-protest. He had run for reelection against them. He was still arguing against them on May 1. University and the local Mayor panicked from day one. The Governor lost his head.

A small student group of protesters turned into 500. One thousand more were standing around watching by May 4. The Governor sent in 1,000 National Guardsmen armed with tear gas and loaded weapons. By May 4, the area looked like a war zone. The Guardsmen began tear gassing the day before. The students retaliated by throwing rocks.

On the 2nd or 3rd, the Mayor and Governor declared a state of emergency. After the shooting events of the 4th, neither could recall actually having done so.

On the 4th, 500 students were at the top of a hill on the campus. Another 1,000 were standing nearby watching, but not participating. On the bottom were 1,000 Guardsmen. The students were moving down the hill. Nothing of any consequence occurring. The story gets muddled at this point. The one I have always believed is that one of the Guardsman shot into the 500 students. The students panicked and began running in every direction to avoid the shooting. Spectator students began running also.

Some student(s) were shot in the back, some were merely observers, and one was not involved in any fashion. She was walking to a class.

Investigation determined 28 Guardsmen shot 61-68 bullets into the students. 

The country went wild. Hundreds of colleges and universities closed in protest. Demonstrations occurred nationwide.

The shooting was described as a “massacre.”

The nation was aroused. Vietnam protests increased. It was a sad day for the 4 students killed and 9 wounded, the University, and America itself.

Some believe it was not Watergate alone that brought Nixon down. They believe Kent State was involved also.

Russia is claiming the U.S. is behind the alleged Ukraine drone attack on the Kremlin. Putin speaking. Reminds one of Trump. The compulsion of both men to lie.

Jefferson B. Brown a Key Wester. Born in Key West June 6, 1857, died 87 years later in 1937.

He was a local political leader. Distinguished attorney. Wrote “Key West The Old and The New.” Published the book in 1912. A history of Key West. I have relied on his work a number of times over the years for items of historical significance. I have his entire book loaded into my computer.

Water pressure, lack of water, problems with FKAA, contributed to the following comment in today’s Citizens’ Voice: “Rumor is that the FKAA will recommend showering with a friend.”

Could be fun!

“Money” continues to float in Keys waters. Sixteen bricks of cocaine weighing 41 pounds were found floating off Islamorada. Street value $640,000.

Have to move fast. I have an echo heart test scheduled for later this morning.

Enjoy your day!

I am 87. I have had more medical physicals than most persons. Yesterday’s was the best.

Dr. John Norris has been my primary care physician for several years. He recently changed the nature of his practice to a concierge one. Concierge means additional attention. For an added cost, of course.

I joined his concierge practice a couple of months ago. 

Dr. Norris resolved my ankle problems which had plagued me and which I complained about to you for several weeks. His service and attention was above and beyond at the time.

Yesterday was my first full physical in the concierge practice. The best of the best. The most extensive. I left feeling confident with his examination and findings. So much so, I felt compelled this morning to tell you about it.

If you are interested in visiting with the good Doctor, his concierge offices are located at 1010 Kennedy Drive, Suite 402. Telephone 305-998-4205.

Off Key West and near the Dry Tortugas, an underwater discovery: A 19th century hospital and cemetery found on a submerged island.

The hospital served as a 19th century quarantine and cemetery for yellow fever patients between 1890 and 1900.

The cemetery was known as the Fort Jefferson Post Cemetery.

Those buried in the Cemetery were military men serving and military persons improsoned at the Fort. The Fort began as a military prison during the Civil War.

A developing trend involves the monday work place. Labeled “bare minimum mondays.” Employees encourage themselves to do less than normal work. Just enough to get by. The employee is motivated by self rather than company tasks to be performed. First day back to work in the new week. Don’t get tired.

A TikTok trend.

Created by young people based on a concern for their mental well being.

From my perspective, a great way to get fired.

The Texas shooter/killer who exterminated 5 persons was found yesterday hiding in a closet under a pile of dirty laundry. The closet was in a home less than 20 miles from the scene of his crime. 

The accused is Francesco Oropess. He is guaranteed to get the maximum penalty under Texas law. Unless an insanity plea saves his ass. You never know.

More men are getting perms. Short for permanents. The modern American male is into it.

The preferred style is “soft.”

A man was stabbed in the shadow of the Key West Airport around 7 last night. The incident occurred at the Pines Park on South Roosevelt Boulevard, adjacent to the Airport.

No further details available at this time.

Sargassum, the seaweed mess, has hit record breaking size on its way to Florida. Now 5,000 miles long.

The Keys have already been hit with advance surges. The worst is yet to come. When the big mass arrives, Key West beaches will be absolutely deplorable. Stink, dirty, expensive to clean.

Enjoy your day!

History is interesting. Many times only pieces are shared. Why, I know not. However, such is the way history is reported.

The United States participated in two significant battles during the Spanish-American War. One most everyone knows. The other, few are aware of.

We begin with the one little known. A significant naval battle. The U.S. won. The Asiatic Squadron of the U.S. Navy destroyed the Pacific Squadron of the Spanish Navy after a seven hour long battle. The battle took place May 1, 1898.

Spain lost all seven of its ships. Three hundred eighty one Spanish sailors were killed. No American vessels were lost nor did the U.S. suffer any combat deaths.

The rarely heard of naval battle is known as the Battle of Manila Bay.

The other significant battle has a world wide reputation. A significant U.S. land victory. The Battle of San Juan Hill. The Battle brought fame to Teddy Roosevelt and the Rough Riders. 

The Battle of San Juan Hill was the bloodiest of the war for American troops. The reason two-fold.

First, American troops outnumbered the Spaniards 16 to 1. Which meant there were more Americans available to be killed. Second, the Spaniards held the hill top. The Americans had to charge up an open hill to get at them. The Americans never faltered. They did their duty and many died.

The tornado that hit Palm Beach Gardens at ground level over the weekend was a terrible disaster. Wind speed was 136 mph. Someone videoed cars being picked up by the wind and tossed around. “Flipped” was the term used to describe the air flights of the vehicles.

I never got out on March 17 so missed my once a year St. Patrick Day corned beef and cabbage meal. Got it last night at Brady’s Irish Pub on Flagler. A feast!

I ate at the bar. Seated two stools away was an old friend I have not seen in many years. Amy Culver. A joy to run into her.

When I first came to Key West 30 some years ago, Amy owned Mangoes. At some point she got involved in helping certain African tribes develop. She frequently traveled to Africa to work with them. Post Mangoes, her Key West work involved business consulting.

I got involved with the Key West Cemetery yesterday. Checking out a particular stone.

The world knows of that one particular headstone that reads: “I Told You I was Sick.” I was not searching for that stone. I was looking for the one about owning a piece of Key West. Finally came across it: “I Always Dreamed Of Owning A Small Piece Of Key West.”

Great golf sunday afternoon. The final round of the Mexican Open. Tony Finau won by 3 strokes.

One of the runner ups was Jon Rahm. Rahm and Finau are close friends. It was obvious following the match. Rahm and Finau broadly smiling as Rahm warmly embraced Finau as only friends can.

Rhonda Fleming was a major movie star in the 1940’s and 1950’s. She continued working on a limited basis into the 1990’s. A red haired beauty.

Rhonda was born in 1923 and passed on three years ago in 2020 at the age of 97. God bless her!

We became friends for a brief two day period sometime around 1980. Our meeting place was La Costa outside San Diego. La Costa was a “fat farm” I generally attended twice a year from the mid 1970’s into the 1980’s.

I have written many times of the friends I made there The men included William Holden, Rodney Dangerfield and Evel Knievel. Got to know Holden and Knievel well. Dangerfield more than a passing acquaintance, but difficult to say you really knew him. He was the same in person as he was on the screen. No different.

Rhonda and I had next to each other dining tables. We never talked, however. Few talked at lunch or dinner. Too bushed from the exercise. Everyone ate breakfast privately in their rooms.

The last 2 days I was there on one of my trips, Rhonda struck up a conversation. We got to spend 2 lunches and 2 dinners together.

A wonderful woman. A devout Christian. Such was obvious from our conversations.

Tennessee Williams was a Key West resident for many years. He lived on Duncan Street. Lisa’s home today is less than 2 blocks away from the Williams home.

At dinner friday night with Steve and Cindy Thompson, we got into Tennessee Williams. The reason Williams bought the Duncan Street property was because it was on the ocean at the time. Across from his front door the Atlantic.

No more. Today there are several blocks of homes before what is now the beginning of the ocean is reached.

Not the reason I mention Williams today. Actually it is because on yesterday’s date May 1 in 1955, Williams won a Pulitzer Prize for “Cat On A Hot Tin Roof.” Recall the great movie starring Paul Newman, Elizabeth Taylor, and Burl Ives.

Sloan tonight at 6. We’re working on the Baron collection.

Enjoy your day!

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.

There is a story that goes with these beautiful words and the
song from whence they came. It starts with slavery.
Most are unaware that the Founding Fathers dealt with the issue of the
importation of slaves to the United States in the Constitution. Article I, section 9,
stated in effect that the government could not ban the importation of slaves for at
least twenty years.
Why such was placed in the original Constitution is not certain. I suspect that
the Founding Fathers, most of whom were slave owners, were of the opinion that
twenty years would give them enough time to propagate additional slaves. Since
slaves had a significant monetary value and one’s worth was often measured by
slaves owned, it made sense that there had to be a time when no more would be
permitted entry to the United States. An over abundance of slaves could
conceivably diminish the value of each slave.
Twenty years passed. The Congress could not wait to pass a law banning
further importation of slaves to the United States. They did it one year early in
1807. Thomas Jefferson was President at the time. He also is considered the
Father of the Constitution. He supported the proposed law and did not hesitate in
signing it. The law went into effect January 1, 1808.
From that day forward, the United States Navy was on the lookout for any
ships that were attempting to bring new slaves to American shores. The Navy was
kept busy. Slavery was a big business. It took till 1862 for the Navy to finally
eradicate the problem.
Although the final three slave ships were captured in 1862 when the Civil
War was already two years old, their capture had nothing to do with the Civil
War. It was the result of the continued enforcement of the 1808 law.
The last three ships captured were the William, Bogota and Wildfire.
The demand for new slaves was overwhelming in the 1700s and first half of
the 1800s. They were needed for work in North and South America. It is
estimated some twelve million were imported during those years.
Cuba was in need of great numbers of slaves. The sugar fields needed
workers. It is estimated at least 100,000 slaves were delivered from West Africa
to Cuba.
Slaves had to be replenished. Most of the slaves delivered were young.
Teenagers. They did not live long. They were literally worked to death. The need
to replenish drove the slave industry.
John Newton was a slave trader. A bad guy in his early years. Very bad.
Mean. He was known by people acquainted with him as a despicable person.
On one of the trips across the ocean, Newton and his ship engaged a violent
storm. Newton thought he was going to die. He learned to pray. He asked God to
save him. God did.
Newton continued as a slave trader for a few years. However, his conscience
was now bothering him. He quit his chosen profession and went to theology
school. Newton became a minister.
In 1779 Newton wrote Amazing Grace. Not as a musical piece. Not as a song.
But rather a poem. His congregation would recite, not sing, the words at services.
The poem continued to 1835. At that time someone put it to music. There was
an English tune New Britain. It became the melody for Amazing Grace.
Prior to the 1960s, Amazing Grace had no particular popularity. Except in the
black churches. It became a song of hope and redemption. An African American
spiritual.
Then came the civil rights movement of the 1960s. The marches, the
boycotts, the assassinations. Amazing Grace gained national prominence and
popularity during that era.
It also became a top selling recording.
Willie Nelson, Elvis Presley and Tennessee Ernie Ford all recorded it. So did
Althea Franklin and Judy Collins. And most recently, Susan Boyle.
Amazing Grace’s history began with the United States Constitution, the law
of 1808, John Newton finding God, someone putting the words to music and
finally the civil rights movement.
Today the hymn is sung everywhere. Both for the living and dead. Warm and
uplifting.