For three years prior to my heart attack last year, I used a cane. It became a necessity. A part of my life. I welcomed it. The cane prevented me from falling when I wobbled. I would suddenly lose my balance. What I describe as wobbling. I could feel it coming on and the cane prevented me from going down.

God bless America and the cane!

Following the heart attack and three heart surgeries, I found I no longer needed the cane. Ergo since the surgeries, I have proudly walked without the cane.

The wobbling has begun returning. I sense it, feel it. So I got a new cane. I had lost the old one.

I have been using the new cane for four days. What a difference! Took care of any wobbling problems. Even better, it has affected my lower back pain which has been horrendous. Three lumbar discs out of place. Two rubbing bone on bone.

For whatever reason, the cane has dramatically limited the lower back pain. To almost non-existent. May it continue to do so. My only thought for the moment is the cane makes me walk up straight. Maybe that is doing it. Whatever, I don’t care. Just glad this added benefit has manifested itself.

Last night a most enjoyable one.

It began at 6 at the Tropic Cinema. A special live show called COVID Lockdown.

Yesterday was the first day the COVID attack on Key West and other Keys was officially recognized. It was March 27, 2020. State police barricaded the entrance to the Keys. No one admitted without a specific reason. Very few were admitted.

Last night’s show was to remind us of what occurred. Key West was suddenly and dramatically shut down. Photos and videos showed all streets deserted. The town was dead. Rarely even one living soul seen. Food became an issue. How it was dealt with shown. 

Many persons remained. However, they stayed in. Did not leave their homes. I was one of them. The shutdown lasted some 66 days till June 1. For me, it lasted 1 1/2 years. I lived in Key Haven at the time. Because of my age, I feared I would contact COVID and die. Other than doctor and hospital visits, never left my home. The hospital was on nearby Stock Island. My doctor’s office nearby U.S.1 so I never got into Key West proper to see the lack of life.

The pics and films were eerie, scary. Uncomfortable to watch.

The pics, videos and speakers nevertheless excellent. It was a good reminder of what had occurred and how people reacted (or didn’t react) at the time. May we never experience such again.

I decided to have dinner afterwards at Brady’s Irish Pub. Many a moon since I had dinner when Carola was bartending. She has been a joy for years. She has a Dad in Ireland who is 94. I suspect I have become a substitute father to her in Key West. She generally bakes Irish scones for me when she knows I am going to show up for dinner.

It was good seeing Carola last night. Her Dad still alive and kicking. She is going to Ireland for a month in July to visit him.

One of the owners and I chatted. He is a St. John’s graduate. Syracuse and St. John’s were Big East basketball opponents for many years. Rick Pitino discussed.

There was a Duke fan sitting nearby. I wished his school well in the game that was to be played later in the evening against Arizona. March Madness. The Sweet Sixteen. He said he had no problem. He had attended Duke for 2 years and Arizona for 2 also. So he was a winner in any event.

Met Bob Cerkleski for the first time. He was seated next to me at the bar. He owns Seastore which is an art and other fine items store on Fleming Street next to Fausto’s. We covered a multitude of sins.

He once worked at Mel Fisher with my son in law Corey. He was not aware Core had moved onto being the Monroe County Librarian. I enjoyed my time chatting with him.

Trump does not know when it is easier to own up to a “mistake” rather than tough it through with lies. I refer specifically to the mess with SIGNAL and the in effect open line for outsiders to listen in on what I sense to have been secretive information. Admit an error  was made, promise to correct it, and move on. Trump’s not a winner on this one. Nor has he been much of a winner since he took office some 2 months ago.

Trump signed another Executive Order yesterday. Probably more than one. He has signed so many I fear he he is going to develop an ulnar nerve injury and require surgery.

The Executive Order I am concerned with has to do with his elimination of “anti-American ideology” from Smithsonian Institutions and Museums and at the same time replacing the monuments removed since 2020.

The Smithsonian consists of many buildings. Each a specialty, so to speak. I have spent considerable time in four. When is Trump going to learn to leave well enough alone?

American history is fraught with screw ups. Yet we survived. As hopefully we will survive those we are undergoing with Trump. Screw ups are part of our history, whether good, bad or indifferent. They represent truth and should be left alone. Trump must not be permitted to rewrite our history.

I can see replacing monuments, etc. removed since 2020. I was opposed to their removal for the same reason I do not want Trump screwing with Smithsonian today. History is history and should not be rewritten.

Screw with Social Security and invite a street revolution. Whether Republican or Democrat, people will not tolerate significant Social Security changes. It is their money being returned to them in pittance form. Many need it to survive.  Americans do not live in a Mar-a-Lago like Trump, play golf almost daily and can spend money willy nilly. They respect and need the few Social Security dollars they receive every month.

Trump and Musk are already playing games with Social Security. Staff has been cut back significantly. People are having difficulty communicating to resolve their needs. The next step will be delays in payments. Then watch out!

Trump wants Greenland to become part of the U.S. in some fashion. Denmark that owns Greenland and Greenland itself do not want such. Greenlanders would enjoy more business relations with the U.S., however. They have many minerals U.S. businesses could use. Security is the Trump claimed issue. Actually, it is the minerals.

This Vance, wife and child visit a bullshit one. The wife and child visiting first purportedly to watch a snow race. Greenland people were not happy with it. A sneaky way apparently from their perspective to make it look like the U.S. was sucking up to the Greenish people to make it look like we should be friends. The Greenies viewed it as part of an attempted “takeover.” It was then announced Vance would be joining his wife and child and the visit would be only to an isolated U.S. base on Greenland. It was obvious Greenland did not welcome the visit.

Vance and family might as well stay home. Greenland appears not to want them at the present time.

My hedonistic nature will be satisfied later this morning. A manicure and pedicure with Tammy. I have been doing such for 50 years. With Tammy the last 20 years. I am good for a manicure every two weeks and a pedicure every three.

Try it. You’ll love it.

Enjoy your day!

Major screw ups re U.S. attack on Yemen? Did top Trump administration officials discuss sensitive secret information improperly?

A major faux pas, if so.

Could warrant criminal investigation.

Trump officials who testified  before a Senate Committee yesterday re the issue were evasive and danced around the problem. Weak overall.

Trump’s Executive Orders have reached the point of being more than excessive. A most recent one requiring persons to provide documentation proving they are citizens when they register to vote appears to go a step too far. Such could prevent millions from voting.

Trump cried fraud in the past re the 2016 and 2020 elections to no avail. Examination revealed no widespread corruption.

Trump says he is considering a “compensation fund” for the January 6 rioters he pardoned.

As stupid and wrong as the pardons themselves!

A long discredited researcher and vaccine doubter has been retained to conduct  a government study on whether vaccines cause autism. He is David Geier. He and his father have written papers on the issue. An issue which has been studied for decades and essentially debunked.

David was disciplined by Maryland more than a decade ago for practicing medicine without a license.

Paul Weiss is one of the nation and world’s outstanding law firms. Instead of standing up to Trump re Trump’s recent onslaught against the courts and law firms, they kneeled to him. Even promising $40 million in pro bono work to organizations Trump recommends.

Disgusting! Shameful! It is up to attorneys and courts to save U.S. democracy. Paul Weiss has failed the nation and their profession.

The deportation flights carrying alleged Venezuela gang members to San Salvador a hot case that could end with amazing results. Surprisingly so. Including perjury by top Trump administration officers.

The moral of the story: Do not lie to a Federal District Court Judge. Chief Judge James Boasberg not one to be screwed with.

I am uneasy with what is occurring with Social Security. Trump and his cohorts are step by step taking down the Agency. Wrongly so.

The American people will not stand for it. Especially those 65 and older.

Social Security a Humpy Dumpty story in the making. Trump could fall and will not be able to be returned to his position on the wall.

I close with the weather.

Key West weather has been strange the past two days. Temperatures in the low 80’s and heavy humidity.

National forecasters advise summer type temperatures will sway across the country over the next two weeks. Humidity will be heavy. It will be June weather in March. Rare severe thunderstorms expected in certain areas also.

Enjoy your day!

Mamma Mia an outstanding movie musical. Starred Meryl Streep and several other big time names. A subsequent movie titled Mamma Mia Revisited or something similar came out about two years ago. Excellent also.

Now the Key West High School Drama Club is going to do Mamma Mia as its Spring Musical. Should be a WOW!

The musical will be performed April 10-12 at the High School Auditorium. Tickets $28. The cost well worth it assuming the show is as good as the three previous I have seen. Cameron had a starring role in Wizard of Oz several years ago. Robert and Ally had minor parts in their senior year shows. All terrific!

Basketball giant the Boston Celtics recently sold for a whopping $6.1 billion. The sale the largest for a North American sports franchise.

Maryland reports two more measle cases. Makes for a total of three thus far reported.

Measle cases rampant. Numbers move up daily. So far this year, 378 cases reported. More than all of last year when 285 case were reported. Texas the worst. Three hundred nine cases so far this year in West Texas alone. Thirty new cases in the last 30 days.

I worry about Kennedy running the show. To appreciate my concern, I took the time to research how the three Maryland infections were contacted. Detailed to the hour and location. A store, a corridor at an airport, etc. The detail too voluminous to report here. If you would like to be impressed, search the how on the internet.

I worry a Kennedy or Musk might decide too much effort going into the search as to how the measle epidemic had begun and was developing. 

I recall in 1954 sitting in front of the TV set with my Dad watching Roger Bannister run the mile. Word was he had an excellent chance of breaking the 4 minute mile. He did! It was exciting!

Recently a 15 year old Norwegian runner Sam Ruthe in a race in New Zealand became the youngest person to break the 4 minute mile.

Let me tell you about Joseph Dutton. A man’s man. A servant of God.

Dutton was a Civil War veteran. Joined in 1861 at the age of 18. After the War and a failed marriage, he worked at searching for the bodies of lost soldiers. The job turned him into an alcoholic.

He swore off alcohol in 1876. Joined the Catholic Church on his 40th birthday. Became a priest and spent 20 months at a Trappist Monastery, but decided God was calling him to a life of penitential action rather than contemplative.

He opted to join Father Damien’s leper colony. He joined the leper colony on Molokai in 1886. He remained 40 years caring for the lepers, especially the children afflicted.

Dutton communicated with several U.S. Presidents during that time, spreading the word world wide of the island’s needs. He became known everywhere.

The good man died March 26, 1931 at the age of 87. He lies buried next to Father Damien.

Dutton’s life is presently being scrutinized to determine his eligibility for sainthood. 

What follows does not speak well for how the U.S. is viewed internationally. Denmark, Poland, Germany and Great Britain are advising against travel to the U.S. The U.S. no longer a safe place to visit from their perspective.

Heavyweight boxing legend George Foreman died. He was 76. Two time Heavyweight Champion of the World and an Olympic gold medalist. He later made money selling the George Foreman Grill.

A respected individual.

I enjoyed a pleasant saturday morning. Coffee on Lou and Joanne’s porch in Key West. Together with Fred and Joanne. We had two Lou’s and two Joanne’s at the event.

I had met Fred and Lou before. Members of Boys’ Night Out that I have frequently missed because of health reasons. I also had met Fred’s wife Joanne several times before. Fred a retired labor lawyer. Lou still working. A smart individual. An economist and publisher. Fred’s wife Josephine an art major who ran a business for years and now paints for a living. Her art is sold at Harrison’s Gallery on White street. Fred says she supports him! Joanne runs the business end of her husband’s economic publishing business.

Typical of Fred, he dominated and directed the conversation so I and the ladies never really got an opportunity to chat. Another time.

I close with the Kennedy Center. Trump has taken over. The show was a tribute to Mark Twain and starred Conan O’Brien. A good portion of the show roasted O’Brien.

Many comedians participated. Trump received his fair share of knocking. Trump’s people had nothing to do with the show. It had been prepared, planned, etc. before Trump took over.

Re Trump, O’Brien had much to say. Among other things: Twain was suspicious of “mindless America might. He knew America was deeply flawed.” Quoting Twain who said: “Patriotism is supporting your country all of the time and your government when it deserves it.”

As a further ending note, my apologies for the few blogs published this past week. My health off and on and dictates when I write or not.

Enjoy your day!

The American people must wake up before it is too late.

Bad, improper things, are happening in the U.S. Occurring frequently and with regularity. Led by Donald Trump. He is killing the Nation. Destroying democracy. Ruining our way of life. What he is doing is also being felt world wide.

All in 60 days! Were we so weak that most did not see it coming and many still do not?

Whether you like to hear it, the path Trump is taking is similar to the one Hitler took with Nazism. People were being defecated upon. Those not bothered said it was only the Jews. Not important. Other uncommon things began happening. People acquiesced with a silent fear instead of objecting. Accepted requested changes.

Then Hitler moved forward. The Gestapo became busy, people arrested, strange things began happening. The “good people” were “surprised.” Not enough to make them say “no more,” however. They said it will pass. 

Trump will pass.

Can we wait that long? Four years?

People hide from the truth. 

Such response permitted Hitler to completely take over. If Trumpism is permitted to continue pursuing the present path, everything that actually and factually made America great will be lost. I fear that time may be around the corner for the U.S.

Wake up America! Speak up! Do not acquiesce to what is being attempted!

Trump should not pressure Zelensky and the Palestinians to end wars.  He should pressure  Putin and Netanyahu.

The Department of Education to be shut down today by Trump. He wastes no time. One problem. I question if he has the authority. My recollection is Congress only has the power to shut down Education.

The years have proven how expensive it is to run railroads and other methods of mass transportation in the U.S.

Amtrak an example.

Trump has threatened to cut funding for mass transit. In protest, Amtrak CEO Stephen Gardner answered he is leaving Amtrak.

Gardner has led Amtrak for 16 years. A tough job, but he did it. Kept the ship afloat, so to speak. Apparently feels he cannot do it anymore under the circumstances.

Any value in release of further JFK files? Or merely a move by Trump to satisfy some conspiratorial persons who have clamored for the records for years? Costs Trump no money and makes him look like a hero to those who believe the true story has never been told. 

Measles slowly but surely on the rise. Total cases in Texas and New Mexico combined now 320, with 3 having died.

Three cases are considered an “outbreak.” Only 3 states have reached that number so far.

There are however a number of states where measle cases have been reported. Note in 2020 there were no measle cases reported in the U.S. The states are Alaska, California, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington.

An historical point of interest. In 1861, Abraham Lincoln’s sons Willie and Tad were diagnosed with measles. They both survived. However, Willie died of typhoid fever one year later in 1862 and Tad from an illness in 1871.

A new “Snow White” movie has been released. A remake of sorts of Disney’s 1937 “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.” Initial reviews not the best. However the public, young and old alike, seem to be enjoying it. May be a winner. We shall see.

On this day in 1854, the Republican Party was founded in Ripon, Wisconsin.

Scholars considered themselves wise as far back as the 1300’s. Even before.

I mention the 1300’s because in 1345 there was a conjunction  of Mars, Jupiter and Saturn. Scholars at the University of Paris were concerned about the Black Death. The plague had reached epidemic proportions.

 The scholars viewed the “cause of the plague epidemic” on the conjunction of the planets. The actual cause was the “bacterism yersinia pestis” spread by fleas, rats and other animals. Too simple a solution for the scholars to have hit upon back then. 

The Boston Public Library opened in Boston this day in 1854. The first free municipal library in the U.S.

My home town Utica had a large magnificent public library. In my youth, I loved being there. My youth primarily being my grammar school days. I would ride my bicycle down and enjoy the knowledge available.

An interesting observation. Many years later when I was a practicing lawyer in Utica, most of the professional and successful business persons were other young persons I saw in the library when I was there. The influence the library had upon us!

I close with turtles and Key West. It is turtle nesting time again. Be aware and careful of the many nests buried on Key West beaches. Our little friends need our help.

Enjoy your day!

Beware of heavy glass commercial doors which close on their own. Especially if out of whack and knocks you on your ass. As happened to me monday resulting in a double fracture to my left elbow.

The last three weeks have been eventful for me re injuries. Stupid ones that should never have occurred. 

It began with physiotherapy. The therapist, who I consider great, accidently knocked a scab off a wound on my left ankle. It infected and my ankle and foot swelled. Required antibiotics. Foot fine now. 

Although I no longer require a cane, I have difficulty getting in and out of cars. I was getting out of my Volkswagen on the driver’s side when I wobbled and fell to my left. Struck my left arm below the elbow hard on the rear window. When I got in the house, I realized I was bleeding. All over the place. Shirt, floor, sink, etc.

I take blood thinners. Already had a bruise in the area I struck. The new blow bled bled. The bleeding took 15 days to stop. A few before it even began diminishing. My doctor saw me almost every day. I could only stop the blood thinner pill for one day. Otherwise, a danger of a stroke. It has stopped, but the wound still has a way to go before completely closing.

Then came monday and the door knocking me on my ass. Hit my whole left side. Hospital yesterday for cat scan of head and multiple x-rays. People who take blood thinners who have a hard head bang require x-raying to make sure no bleed. The x-rays revealed the double left elbow fracture.

Saw Dr. Norris today. He has referred me to an orthopedist that I will be seeing today. No big deal. I assume a sling until healed. 

My concern is all the physical things happening to me. I thought after my heart attack early last year, three heart surgeries and five and a half weeks in Mount Sinai Hospital in Miami that I had made my contribution to illness for a long while to come. Obviously, I was wrong.

Failed to mention that late last year my lower back began bothering me. Huge pain! Turned out to be three slipped discs in lower lumbar area. Two were rubbing bone on bone.

I’m merely sharing. Not complaining. Hope getting hurt or sick has ended for a while. I need a break.

Missed dinner at 915 with Fred, Reilly and others last night. That bothers me, but I was not up to it. Felt all beat up and tired.

Left Trump out of yesterday’s blog. Can only handle so much of him. However feel compelled to return to him briefly today. More to pin point some stupid results from his actions.

I address first the changing/eliminating of certain U.S. history portions of the DEI. Remember the raising of the American flag on Iwo Jima. One of the most respected photos ever. A statue of the same was erected at or near the Arlington Cemetery.

Two of the Marines raising the flag were Navajo Indians. Their names have been removed from certain historical records.

An example of how badly Trump induced tariff problems are getting out of hand. A French politician has called for the return of the Statue of Liberty, which originally was a gift from France. His reasoning is the U.S. no longer represents the nature embodied by the monument.

I was listening to FOX radio while driving two days ago. Trump was on advertising a “Trump watch” that was being offered for sale. The asking price of $400,000 sticks in my head. Sounds crazy. Could be less. I recall he has offered watches in the past as high as $100,000.

If anyone is aware of the price of the watch I am referring to, please advise.

Recall that Trump recently took over the Kennedy Center. Made himself Board Chairman. Since that time, more than 20 productions have been canceled or postponed. The most recent, the major historical musical hit “Hamilton.” Its producer said the show was not compatible with “a new spirit of partisanship…..at the world treasure that is the Kennedy Center.”

Trump made a statement following the meeting. He complained about everything. From the physical structure to how things had been done in the Center’s operation. He was going to correct things.

Why does he always find fault?

North Carolina Hurricane Helena blew threw almost six months ago. Trump promised a quick cleanup. First house still to be rebuilt. Everything slow. The delay in helping constitutes a second disaster in effect.

Another promise made and not kept.

Why, Donald?

Astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore returned home yesterday after more than 9 months on the International Space Station.

Welcome back!

Trump took credit for their return. Part of his “Promise Made, Promise Kept.” Not correct, however. The decision was made and planned in August during the Biden administration.

I close with a fluoride observation.

A Florida State Committee last week approved a bill that includes preventing local governments from adding fluoride to water supplies.

The issue has been around a few years. Comparable in my opinion to the vaccination arguments being made today. Why can’t people leave well enough alone?

I recall when fluoridation came into being. I was in grammar school. Dental visits were commonplace until drinking water was fluoridized. Over a period of time, cavities basically disappeared. The dental business became a poor one. Dentists were hurting bad economically. It took years for the profession to return. It took implants to turn the economics of dental work around.

Enjoy your day!

Strange things have happened in Key West. One was a siesta policy which began in 1935. No longer in existence. However, I could not find when it ended and why.

The Federal Relief Administration began the siesta policy by giving employees two hours at lunch instead of one. The time would be made up by work starting an hour earlier.

I ran into the siesta time for the first time 40 years ago on a one month Italian vacation with my family. We were in Rome on day one and needed money. My recollection is the Italian dollar at the time was the lira. Credit cards not yet in existence. One arrived with U.S. travelers checks which were converted at an Italian bank into lira.

The line was long at the bank. I waited patiently. When in Rome, do as the Romans do. When I finally reached the end of the line, the clerk pulled the shade down. I was screwed. It was 1 pm and siesta time had begun. One to five. Religiously followed by businesses and people.

Beware of the heavy glass door at Five Guys between the restaurant and its outside patio. It royally knocked me on my ass yesterday.

I read on the internet a few weeks ago that the finest chain restaurant grilled cheese sandwich is to be found at Five Guys. Would you believe!

I love grilled cheese sandwiches. Opted to give it a try yesterday.

The restaurant proper was freezing cold. Everyone seated outside. After getting my bag of fries and the sandwich plus my glass of soda, I headed out. My two hands were full. The door was heavy glass with a bar in the center to push to gain entry outside. I turned to my left and pushed the bar with my body. The door opened a sufficient distance for me to walk through. As I did, it came slamming back on me. Knocked me on my ass. Fries and soda all over me. And hurt like hell!

The door caught me completely on my left side. From my head to my left eye to my left shoulder, to my left elbow, to my left hip and finally my left ankle. Three inch minor bleeding cut very near the bleeding problem I have had for more than two weeks. A cut on my ankle also.

Took 3 people to get me up. As those my age are aware. next to impossible to get up alone if you fall.

Staff helpful and concerned. Especially the manager. Wanted to call an ambulance. I said no. Just get me to a seat and get me a new order. Done. She also band aided my bleeding elbow.

I sat there in pain thinking what an asshole I was. Falling a common thing in one’s old age. However this was not my fault. It was the door which was set too close too rapidly.

I hurt everywhere. Ate my grilled cheese sandwich and a few fries.

I announce for all to hear. The Five Guys grilled cheese is one of the best grilled cheese sandwiches I have ever had. And only $5.95.

All I wanted was my home and bed. Called Dr. Norris when I got settled in. Told him I did not want to see him. Wanted to merely lie in bed.

Eventually I hurt like hell all over. By evening, less. This morning even less. Called Norris. I have to see him at 11:30. My left elbow bone hurts the worst. Not broke. I boke it once. It should have been swollen. Not. My head and left hip sore. The Norris visit a precautionary one he insisted upon. I am to skip physiotherapy this morning.

Looking forward to this evening. Dinner with Fred and the group he puts together monthly. All interesting people. We are meeting at the 915. I have not been there in 15 years. Looking forward to the company and the food.

Archaeologists discovered a 1,300 year old flush toilet at a Palace in South Korea. It was only for use by a Prince and his ladies.

No Trump today. He gets to be too much. I give you and me both a day off.

In closing, I mention the two astronauts who were stuck 286 days in space are on their way home. Their space ship is due to splash down in the Atlantic off the coast of Florida this evening. 

Thank God they are finally returning and safely. They were initially sent up for 6 or 8 days. Then the return portion of the vessel screwed up and they were required to remain for months.

Enjoy your day!

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

Everyone is Irish today!

Parades galore.

The first St. Patrick’s Day Parade not an American thing per se. Though it did occur on what became American soil. The first Parade took place in 1762 in New York City. Irish members of the British Army decided to celebrate their patron Saint’s Day.

Frolic all day. Drink green beer. Enjoy corned beef and cabbage.

A bit of a Louis St. Patrick’s Day joke. Greenland has green in its name. Apropos therefore that on this day Greenland offers to buy the U.S. 

Doesn’t read as funny as it did in my mind. Fits, however.

Don’t screw with Canada! Tough stand up people. Trump is not scaring them. They are meeting his force with force plus more.

Basic methods of transport from the U.S. to Alaska have been free. Roads, waterways. An act of friendship. 

No more. Canada has blocked all free routes. Still remain available, but now cost money. Whoever using, must pay. Affects business and personal use.

Trump obviously did not see this one coming.  

Is a Trump confrontation with the Judiciary at hand?

On saturday, a Federal District Court Judge in Washington, D.C. made it unequivocally clear in an oral order from the bench that chartered flights in the air on their way to Venezuela with Venezuelan gang members were to turn around…..if the planes had not yet landed. He also ordered no further such flights. He followed his decision with a written order, but made it clear from the bench that a written order was not required.

The Judge’s order was not adhered to. Ignored.

Two planes were in the air when the order was made. A third had not yet taken off when the written order had been made.

A White House official pushed back at the validity of the Judge’s order saying a single judge should not have the power to usurp the President’s authority: “We believe this is a baseless legal ruling no matter when the flights took off.”

The matter is back before the Federal Judge in D.C. tuesday and wednesdy. I bet my money on the Judge. You do not screw with a Federal Judge in D.C. or elsewhere. The most powerful judge in the Nation. Even more so than a U.S. Supreme Court Justice.

Measles getting out of hand. Kennedy will be no help, nor will Trump who appointed him. An epidemic of gigantic proportions could be brewing.

Trump touching everything. He screwed up Kennedy Center’s Board. Took over control in effect. Things have not been the same since. Today he is going to preside over its Board meeting.

Donald’s plate is full. The raging tariff wars, Ukraine, bombs falling on the Middle East, his hands in everything world wide. Too much for one man to handle. Even a Donald Trump.

In a brilliant Opinion piece in the New York Times March 11th, Brent Stephens wrote: “Democracy dies in dumbness.” The title of his work the same.

Read the piece. It is right on.

Stephens nails Trump’s erroneous moves which are leading us down the path of democratic destruction.

In closing, I address the Key West Airport which I have written and spoken about in the past.

I begin: Just what Key West needs! Another airline! We have too many already!

Key West Airport, even as being remodeled, is not sufficiently large to handle all the airlines flying in. Bringing with them tons of tourists, business travelers and residents. A fire disaster in the making.

Key West as a community is overloaded now. Whereas real estate prices are falling all over Florida, Key West’s remain high. Workers cannot afford to live here. People moving out because it has become for most too expensive to live here.

Will our community leaders ever learn?

Enjoy your St. Patrick’s Day!

The blog has been absent for a few days. Sorry. I have been under the weather a bit.

Back, however!

Much to mention. Ergo, no organization. Topics laid out in the order they appear in my notes.

Schumer has been a great Democratic leader in the Senate. His time has come to an end, however. He must move on. Permit someone else to take his place.

My recent concern is the way he handled the Senate bill which if it did not pass could have resulted in a government shutdown. He voted with the Republicans. A bad move!

Our nation is in desperate times. Trump and his cohorts are destroying us. Schumer by voting with the Republicans was playing the typical gentlemanly approach to a problem. Doing what normally would have been the correct thing. Keep the government open.

However, the problem was a Republican one to solve. Republicans control the House, Senate, Presidency and for most purposes the Supreme Court. Let them solve the problem, especially one they created. The bill destroys many people in the U.S. (Medicaid cuts deep) and may for other reasons contribute to a recession.

Democrats must stand and fight Republicans on every issue. No deviation. Beating them into the ground! New and younger blood required. They are already present in both Houses. Let them become the face of the Democratic Party.

Trump appeared before the Justice Department. Not his place. Presidents generally avoid the appearance.

Donald talked about how the Democrats had prosecuted him. He survived, however! Now he is out to get even. Clearly suggested his intent to prosecute those who went after him.

Not the way things have been done from an historical perspective in the U.S. Donald’s way though. The wrong way.

The tariff wars cannot be blamed for everything. Coffee going up. Problem not primarily tariffs. Brazil a major coffee source. Extreme weather has been ravishing Brazil’s coffee harvest.

Medicaid taking a big hit in the new budget bill. A major wound. Almost a killer. Too many people in need of the medical care Medicaid provides will now go without.

Thank you, Donald!

Hats, tee shirts, mugs, all kinds of MAGA and Trump items, that are being sold in large numbers. Trump says we should buy American. It has been revealed that roughly 50 percent of these type items sold are made in foreign countries. The labels/markings on the items not made in America say: Designed in the USA and/or  the state is named. However Made In another story which is conveniently covered with a stick-um.

The stock market has been a disaster the past two weeks. Two weeks more and we could be in a for real recession. Another thank you for Donald.

One of Key West’s power musicians is Larry Smith. He was “big” 30 years ago when I first arrived in Key West. He remains one of Key West’s top singers, pianist and show planners. Larry has put together another “biggie.” The Lady Vocalists of Key West. 

Larry has assembled a stellar cast of talented vocalists with whom he has performed over the years. All headliners.

The show will be co-hosted by Larry’s long time collaborator, the lovely Jenna Stauffer.

The show is this friday evening March 21st at the Key West Theater. Tickets $50-70 available on AXS. Expensive, but sure to be good!

Rumor has it that Don’s Place is being sold. Sad! One of my favorites for years. The favorite of many. 

International banker Jamie Dion is uncomfortable with the economy. He said, “Uncertainty is not a good thing.”

I worry when a guy like Dion worries!

On this day in 1925, the Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Navy Franklin D. Roosevelt, accompanied by his wife Eleanor, arrived in Key West for several days of fishing. It was their second visit to Key West. They had been pleased with their first experience and wanted to return.

How things change! On March 13, 1925, a Tavernier business applied for a license to sell beer and wine. It was denied by the Monroe County Commission. Area residents signed and submitted a petition evidencing strong opposition to the sale of any intoxicants on the Upper Keys.

No way today!

Washington, D.C. turmoil affects the Keys. Trump and Musk hurting us.

Examples include Canada. Canadian tourists this time of the year are many. Even European tourists. Not this season.

The problem not tourist business alone.  Federal agencies are bracing for hits. Like the National Park Service, National Weather Service, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Everglades Park and Tortugas have already lost some employees.

The National Marine Sanctuary has already had 748 leases terminated.

Rams Head brought back the Beach Boys. To a packed concert!

Good for Rams Head!

Excuse the vernacular, the Trump/Musk team is not just playing hard ball. It is playing dirty ball also.

Instead of firing some federal workers, the “new game” is to transfer their jobs/places of work to locations hundreds of miles away and give notice to the transferred employees that they are to report to work in the new location in a matter of a few days. Short days.

I have left to last the thing that bothers me the most today. If you recall anything from today’s blog, what follows should insult and piss you off the most. It bothers me no end.

Arlington Cemetery is big. It is being required to scrub links about Blacks, Hispanics and female veterans. As well as topics such as the Civil War. The Defense Department’s purpose is to remove all references to diversity, equity and inclusion from its on drive presence.

Examples speak loud. That which is being deleted. Internal links which direct users to webpages listing “Notable Graves” of Black, Hispanic and female veterans and their spouses. On these pages could be read short biographies of persons buried in Arlington Cemetery. Including General Colin Powell, the youngest and first Black Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Staff; Hector Santa Anna, a World War II B-17 bomber pilot, Berlin Airlift pilot and career military leader; members of the Tuskegee Airmen, the U.S. first Black military airmen whose accomplishments include completing more than 1,800 missions during World War II; and members of the 688th Central Postal Delivery Battalion, the only all-Black, all-female Women’s Army Corps sent to aid overseas during World War II.

Did Donald ever serve in the military defense of his country? Wasn’t there something about spurs in his foot?

Enjoy your day!

Last night tuesday. Tuesday Happy Hour at The Grand. A great Happy Hour yesterday!

Matt bartending. Great personality. Steve and Cindy, Eddie, Chris and strangers.

Happy Hour for locals half price for appetizers and booze. I’m not drinking so it’s only the food for me. Decided on small clams buried in a butter sauce with a basket of cut up chunks of soft bread. For dunking. The best part of the meal.

Inexpensive. I was embarrassed when I got the bill: $8. The clams $16 normally. Happy Hourr price $8. I dropped a $20 bill on the bar as I left.

Great conversation with Steve. He is always a joy to be with. He arrived in Key West in the 1960’s. Became friends with Jimmy Buffett when Buffett arrived in the early 1970’s. I learned Steve was a guest at Buffett’s wedding in Aspen many years ago. These guys knew how to live it up back then.

Steve made an observation about the blog that was correct. When Trump was sworn in as President some 50 days ago, I wrote that within 1-2 months he would screw everything up and bring our country to the brink of disaster. Steve reminded me I was correct. Everything I said was going to happen has begun. The next 1-2 months are going to be even worse.

Yesterday was not a happy camper one for me. My arm still bleeding. Even this morning. This is day 9. Less, but still bleeding.

My blood work came back ok, except for one item. I am redoing the blood work this afternoon to see if the bad part is correct.

On this day in 1998, The Sound of Music opened at the Martin Beck Theater in New York City. A rerun. Ran for more than one year through June 20, 1999.

I was fortunate to have seen the first run on Broadway in July 1960. 

I came across an interesting use for a proper name. It ran on the internet as a comment re the first record of Guttenberg’s Bible. The Bible was referred to in a letter dated March 12, 1455 by one Enea Silvio Piciolomini which mentioned it having been printed one year earlier.

The name that struck me was Piccolomini’s middle name Silvio. My middle name also. My Mother’s father’s name. I rarely see Silvio referenced or mentioned.

Musk has achieved a degree of greatness sufficient to warrant a special section or grouping on this blog today.

First permit my observation that I do not know how he became the richest man in the world. Everything he touches with Trump or on Trump’s behalf turns sour. Even his business Tesla is going down the tubes at the moment.

Yesterday on the White House South Lawn, 5 new Tesla’s were displayed. Like on sale/available for sale. Trump was out there praising Musk’s product. Trump even bought one of the cars. I believe a fire engine red one claiming he was helping out a friend.

These guys refuse to follow the law. They do not even bother to find out what the law is. Federal employees are prohibited from endorsing or promoting a product on federal property. I assume Musk is a federal employee. Trump does not apply since a President is specifically excluded from falling under the law.

Musk called Senator Mark Kelly a “traitor” yesterday. The Senator visited Ukraine and expressed his support for Ukraine in Ukraine’s war with Russia.

Kelly is an American hero. A decorated Navy pilot and former astronaut. Seriously considered for the Vice-President position on the Kamala Harris ticket. His wife former Congresswoman Gabby Gifford. You will recall she was shot in the head while campaigning in 2011. Part of her scalp had to be removed.

Kelly flew on four NASA missions into space. He served 25 years in the Navy. Served a number of years as a combat pilot in the Middle East. 

Kelly responded to Musk’s “traitor” charge: “Traitor?”…..Elon, you don’t understand what makes America great and keeps it free, etc.

Musk continues to knock Social Security. Calls it a “Ponzi scheme.” Even worse, calls people who receive federal benefits the “Parasite Class.”

Those who receive retirement checks are receiving in return a small portion of their own monies they paid into Social Security over the years. No free handouts here!

What about Agent Orange veterans? Have their benefits been cut off?

A bit of Trump next.

I mentioned yesterday the international law firm Perkins Coie. One of the law firms Trump has banned from receiving U.S. business, etc. I  forgot to mention Sam. Sam a female. Also, Steve Thompson’s sister. Worked for years with the Perkins’ law firm in their Seattle offices. I have met Sam. A charming intelligent woman. Proof of the pudding is she reads my blog every day! Hello, Sam! How are you?

The stock market had another Trump reaction day. At one point was over 700. Ended the day around 440.

Keep it up, Donald! You are leading us into a deep recession.

Another biggie for Trump/Musk. the Department of Education already has had its staff cut in half.

Trump’s 25 percent tariff on steel and aluminum goes into effect today world wide. Everywhere. Our close Allies are pissed.

Trump said a few days ago he was going to add an additional 25 percent on Canada bringing Canada’s tariff to 50 percent. 

Pure insanity!

The reason was a punishing tariff. Ontario’s leader had imposed a retaliatory tariff on energy it provides three U.S. states. Trump came back with the 50 percent. The two talked and the increases were withdrawn by both.

The Republican House passed its budget bill. The bill now in the Senate’s hands. An even more difficult passage. Sixty votes required. The Senate must pass the bill by 12:01 am saturday or the nation will go into shutdown.

The bill provides only temporary relief. Ths game/scenario will have to be replayed in September again.

Coca Cola has been sold in glass bottles for decades. The first bottled Coke sold this day in 1894.

Franklin Delano Roosevelt the President of Presidents. In peace and war, recession and economic success.

On this day in 1933, while Roosevelt had been in office only 8 days and the recession was drowning the U.S., he went on radio to speak to the nation. A Presidential first. His talk became known as a “fireside chat.” He did several over the years. 

He did what he had to do. Intelligently and not stupidly as is being done today. He explained to the people he had closed the banks for one day. They would reopen and in due course things would turn around.

Enjoy your day!

People do not generally like lawyers. I learned this soon after becoming a lawyer. Eventually made sense to me. There are at least two sides to every legal altercation. One loses and one wins. Even in a settlement. The losing side ends up hating the “winning lawyer.” The only time a lawyer comes out “loved” is when a person is in deep shit trouble and his lawyer saves his ass. Even then the affection ends when the successful client receives the lawyer’s bill.

In recent days, Trump has begun going after law schools and law firms. At the moment only one law school and two law firms. Expect more.

Ed Martin is the interim Attorney for the District of Columbia. He sent the Dean of the Georgetown University Law Center, a Catholic school, Jesuit run, a letter saying: “It has come to my attention reliably that Georgetown Law School continues to teach and promote D.E.I. This is unacceptable.”

He also wrote he had begun an “inquiry” into the School and wanted to know if it had eliminated all D.E.I. from the School and its curriculum.

Moving further, he added that no applicant for a position with the federal government who was a Georgetown student would be considered for federal employment as long as D.E.I. was continued.

A private Christian law school attacked! Unheard of! A blatant government attack on Georgetown’s mission as a Jesuit and Catholic institution.

Must be the “law’s day” from Trump’s perspective!

Law firms are also being attacked. Law firms who represented liberal and Democratic clients. Trump’ reason: He does not like the legal work they engaged in.

Two major and well respected law firms. One Perkins Coie who represented Hillary Clinton for example. The firm’s representation of Clinton and others was “not consistent with the national interest.”

Trump has also initiated an attack on Covington and Burling who provided pro bono services to Jack Smith.

It is blatantly wrong to dictate who an attorney can represent who under most circumstances.

What is our country coming to?

There is another issue. One involving universities generally.

I know from personal experience the importance to a university and the government of a relationship where a university is retained – paid – to have its exemplary faculty work on scientific and engineering matters important to the government. An excellent working relationship. Inures to the benefit of both.

Trump is pissed at Columbia University. The pro-Palestinian anti-Israeli protests of recent years. No problem now that Donald is President. He recently stripped Columbia of $400 million is federal monies for projects they were working on on behalf of the government. The government’s reasoning: Columbia’s “failure to address anti-Semitism.” Trump kissed Netanyahu’s ass again.

There are purportedly 9 other universities that fear they will lose similar federal aid for the same alleged reason.

Trump is attacking established American positions/agencies from every direction.

Social Security one. Rumored only at the moment. Recall Trump assured voters during the election that Social Security and Medicare were protected. They would not be touched. 

In the last two weeks, Medicaid has begun taking a hit. Word is Medicare payments will be reduced. There is a strong rumor that within 30-90 days Social Security will start taking a hit. Beginning with delayed payments. Then a move to cease all payments. Trump and his inept associate Musk want Social Security eliminated.

Forty five percent of America’s over 65 population live on their Social Security checks. What will they do?

The goal is the total collapse of Social Security.

In a few days, I will be publishing a detailed blog re Social Security. I have done so several times in the past 13 years. With more added this time. It will show that many who attack Social Security are ill informed as to how the nitty gritty of the program works. In other words, they know not what they are talking about.

Remember also, government is to help everyone. That means the poor and middle class also. Not the rich alone.

Trump keeps irritating Canada. Our friend for decades economically and socially. Trump is wrong. Canada standing firm against his onslaught.

Ontario recently imposed a 25 percent surcharge on electricity they send to the U.S. Involves 3 states. Will cost American consumers $4,000 a day overall. Canada’s message: Don’t screw with us! Canada threatens to increase the surcharge if the tariff bullshit from the U.S. does not cease.

There is a difference between a surcharge and tariff. Specifically what, I do not know.

Donald did good with the stock market yesterday. It dropped 890 points. Wow! It has been dropping for two weeks.

“Black Lives Matter.” In 2020, two miles of such language was painted on a Washington, D.C. street. It is now being removed. Painted over.

Washington’s Mayor said she began the removal because of pressure from the White House.

The paint over will take 6-8 weeks and cost $600,000. I thought Trump’s gig was to save money?

I take a step back in time.

Trump’s MAGA followers today are Hitler’s brown shirts of yesterday.

It took Hitler 10-12 years before he went from success to abject failure. Trump has already been experiencing power for 10 years. His screwups the last 6-7 weeks are making the American people extremely unhappy. The people will only take so much. Especially when many of his MAGA followers are also suffering from his actions.

These are sorry times we are experiencing. Maybe we had to go through them. Hope things work out well and sooner than later. I can’t afford eggs. Gas has gone up 25 cents a gallon in Key West the past 10 days. Grocery bills are a bit more expensive each week. America will thin down because it will not be able to afford the grocery bills. People’s 401-Ks getting smaller and smaller.

Keep it up, Donald! You are doing yourself in. No one has to help you.

Enjoy your day!