Many dislike Biden today. Including members of the Democratic Party. A similar situation existed in 1948. Truman was President. New York Governor Thomas Dewey was running against him. Truman had nary a friend.

The election result was surprising. Truman won!

On November 3, 1948, the Chicago Tribune jumped the gun and mistakenly declared Dewey winner of the previous day’s Presidential election race in a front page headline: DEWEY DEFEATS TRUMAN.

Truman’s victory was shocking. Not expected. Beside appearing without public support, Truman had no money. Contributors were not inclined to be given to losers.

Media advertising was the way to go. Truman did not have sufficient funds. So he ran a 22,000 mile “whistle stop” railroad and automobile campaign. Truman stopped in every little town along the way. Described himself as the “underdog.” Eventually his appearances took hold. The crowds at his railroad stops grew larger. He spoke from the platform on the last car. People began a chant that grew louder with each stop: “Give them Hell, Harry!”

The Chicago Tribune was not the only media outlet to screw up and announce Dewey winner. H.V. Kaltenborn was America’s leading radio commentator. His voice distinctive. He went on the air announcing Dewey the projected winner.

I had two connections with Truman relating to his campaign and victory.

It was late summer 1948. The summer before eighth grade. Truman’s train would be stopping in Utica. My buddies and I rode our bicycles to the railroad station. We were able to wheel them up right in front of the platform. Truman no more than 5 feet away.

Impressed we were to see and hear the President.

Fast ahead 22 years to 1960. I was a senior at Syracuse University Law School. Truman long retired was appearing to provide several talks.  One of the events scheduled was a private luncheon with what was represented to be the University’s top 12 students. At the time, Syracuse had 35,000 students.

I was selected to represent the Law School. A distinction I thought undeserving. Though I had brought glory to the Law School by excelling in a national competition.

Luncheon was in a private dining room. Two round tables of 7 each. The extra person at one table Truman, at the other a University representative. Seating was arranged. I was seated next to Truman.

Wild!

Truman kept us entertained during lunch. His pride and humility both obvious.

Truman’s talk humorous. He had us constantly laughing. He spoke primarily of the 1948 election. He brought with him a copy of the Chicago Tribune and laughingly showed it off. He even had a recording of H.V. Kaltenborn’s statement to the nation that he had lost. He first mimicked the recording. Then played it. He had it down to a science!

Be cognizant my friends, the results of political elections can be surprising. How does the saying go…..Don’t count your chickens till they’re hatched?

A no hitter in yesterday’s World Series game. The Astros beat the Phillies 5-0. The Phillies threw 4 or 5 pitchers in on the way to victory. None gave up a hit.

The series now 2-2.

One month ago, I wrote advising there would be a turkey shortage this Thanksgiving. Not only a shortage, also that available turkeys would cost double what they did last year.

Nothing has changed, except the cost might be more than double.

Cost increase is attributable to increased costs turkey farmers have been experiencing: Food, fuel and fertilizer. PLUS, a particularly virulent strain of avian flu. More than 6 million turkeys have already died in 2020 alone. The number is expected to increase in coming weeks.

The Federal Reserve has increased interest rates 0.75 percent for the fourth consecutive time. It represents the sixth overall rate hike this year and represents the Fed’s most aggressive initiative since 1980.

The increase(s) are supposed to work. Have not so far. Their purpose is to break the back of inflation. On the other hand, though the text book approach, will it instead break the bank, break the economy?

Scares me.

Be well.

The mid-term politics have become overwhelming. Time for a change of pace. No harm in taking a day off.

My 12/17/15 blog an interesting one. Most may not be familiar with all its facts. Especially those set forth at the end. I once again share it with you.

THE PRESIDENT COULD NOT SPELL

Theodore Roosevelt was the twenty sixth President of the United States. His accomplishments many. Before , during and following his Presidency.

Roosevelt became known as the phrase maker. He was the first to call the White House “a bully pulpit.” He recognized the White House was a great stage to be heard from around the world.

Regarding trusts and corporations, his attitude was to “speak softly and carry a big stick.”

He viewed political extremists as the “lunatic fringe.”

When asked if he was going to run for President, he said “my hat’s in the ring.” A statement out of the old west. A boxer would throw his hat in the ring signifying he would take on all comers.

Roosevelt was visiting The Hermitage in Tennessee, the home of Andrew Jackson. He was given a cup of coffee. Finishing it, he exclaimed “good to the last drop.” The coffee was generally served at the Maxwell House in Nashville. Turned into a national coffee brand with a great advertising component: Maxwell House…..Good to the last drop.

An author, his first work The Naval War of 1812 was acclaimed.

A war hero, Roosevelt led the charge up San Juan Hill in Cuba during the Spanish-American War. He later said it was “the greatest day in my life.”

He served as Assistant Secretary of the Navy under President McKinley. He later was Vice President when McKinley died from an assassin’s bullets.

Roosevelt was for a time a cattle rancher in the Dakotas. He also was an African hunter and an Amazon explorer.

Trusts/corporations had become too strong by the time Roosevelt became President. He curbed their power.

He is known as the man who saved football. College football had become dangerous. By the time Roosevelt became President, more than one hundred players had died from football incurred injuries. The public called for an end to college football.

Roosevelt was a sport enthusiast. He called a meeting in Washington of those who ran college football. He told them to shape up or he was going to ban football. He wanted football made a clean game.

They listened. New rules came into being. One, the forward pass. It was thought the forward pass would lessen the power crunch in the center. The forward pass was adopted, even though many considered it a radical idea.

Roosevelt’s face adorns Mount Rushmore, together with those of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and Abraham Lincoln.

He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of his efforts in ending the Russo-Japanese War. Some were against his receiving the award. They said Alfred Nobel was probably turning over in his grave. The reason being that Roosevelt had completed the conquest of the Philippines. Many felt his actions in that regard militaristic and imperialistic.

Roosevelt was obviously a great man. He had one short coming, however. He could not spell.

There was no word check to help him.

Roosevelt issued an Executive Order in 1906. Henceforth, all White House documents would be printed with the revised spelling of three hundred words. The words having been proposed by spelling reformers.

Roosevelt’s Order required words to be spelled as spoken. Simple. Through became thru. Dropped, dropt.

Congress went crazy. The House voted 142-24 to repeal Roosevelt’s Order. British newspapers were outraged at the mockery being made of the English language.

The London Sun responded to Roosevelt’s actions by writing an editorial containing the new spelling espoused by Roosevelt: “We venture to think that even President Ruzvelt mite manage to get along very wel with the language that was gud enuf for Shakespeare and Milton.”

Roosevelt saw the handwriting on the wall. The whole world was against him. He backed off. The issue never to be heard again, except in historical perspective.

Enjoy your day!

A touching phrase by one of the greatest authors of all time Leo Tolstoy: “But their eyes when they met spoke fondly and kissed tenderly.”

Few authors have been held in higher esteem. Tolstoy was nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature five times, the Nobel Peace Prize three times. Ironically, he never won.

His more significant works included War and Peace and Anna Karenina. Beautiful writings.

Beauty is found in many forms. Art, for example. Michelangelo a Tolstoy equal.

Today a significant one in Michelangelo history. It was on this day in 1512 the Sistine Chapel ceiling was opened to the public. One of Michelangelo’s finest, if not his finest, works.

I have had the good fortune to view the ceiling on two occasions. An experience. Truly God in His Heaven.

It took Michelangelo several years to complete the ceiling. A series of panels. Nine are devoted to Biblical history. The most famous is The Creation of Adam. The arms of God and Adam stretching toward each other. Fingers reaching to touch.

I am going to stick my neck out. I’m probably wrong. However, my gut suggests otherwise.

I think the political polls are out of line. Most elections are not close. Actually, the Democratic candidates will win a significant number by more than a hair.

How can candidates like Walker, Oz and Vance win? Doesn’t make sense. Something makes me believe Republican money controls the polls and has been dictating erroneous results this year. In the hope of subconsciously swaying the minds of voters.

I will eat humble pie when it turns out I am wrong.

Steve Thompson a lucky man. He lived in Key West through the exciting 1970’s and 1980’s . Knew everyone and everything. Richard Hatch, for example. Hatch responsible for Blue Heaven and Salute as we know them.

When I met Richard Hatch he seemed serious, and articulate, but still jolly. He lived in the back of my house and drove a Trolly.

I was surprised when he bought Blue Heaven and started to run it. Without restaurant experience, how could he have done it? His brother showed up who had been to Chefs school. From that day on, everything was cool.

They opened Salute on the beach with a parking lot.

It seemed everything was better the bigger they got. Now they have their own farm and grow their own food.

Richard has always been a nice guy and a successful dude. He said his good friend Kevin from Margaritaville helped him a lot. All of his places climbed right to the top. He and his wife ran the farm and restaurants too. They also raised a family, what else can they do?

Biden nailed the gas companies yesterday. Someone did in Citizens’ Voice this morning: “I drive up and down the Keys. Gas prices are 60-80 cents cheaper in Key Largo than in Key West. This is not right and seems like price gouging, and something needs to be done. Come on gas station owners, do what is right for the community!”

DeSantis is silent when it comes to anti-Semitism.

He knows leading the party means not offending the anti-Semites and racists of the Republican base.

Smart politics. Reflects poor character, however. It is that poor character that made it possible for Crist to make a fool out of DeSantis in the debate the other evening.

Be well.

A guest on Morning Joe this morning made the comment: “Bad things happen to good countries.” So true. Look at where we are.

The comment was inspired during a discussion of the Paul Pelosi attack.

The U.S. is going through horrible times. We survive, or end up like Hitler’s Germany. The nation ruled by Trump or someone comparable to him.

Even Donald Jr. has seen fit to get into the act. He issued on social media last night a picture of a pair of Haines underwear and a hammer. The suggestion/inference being Pelosi might have been involved in a homosexual relationship of sorts with his assailant. A rumor being spread yesterday over social media.

Sick!

Pelosi’s attack occurred close to Halloween. Another negative event occurred many years ago during Halloween. A good 50 years ago. Factually different. Just as sick, however.

Our 4 children were very young. Probably 4-8 years old. Excited to be out tricking or treating Halloween night. The media had forewarned parents. Beware! Mental deviates planned on putting common pins in candy and cookies and razor blades in apples. Items to be given to children as they visited homes.

I hawked my kids as I walked with them. Permitted them to accept all kinds of goodies. Immediately to be placed in their bags. Not to be eaten till Daddy or Mommy approved.

When we got home, we spread the “goodies” on the family room floor and examined each one. It was taking forever and we could not be sure our examinations were perfect. So we threw everything out.

The kids were exhausted by this time. Helped make them good troopers about the whole thing.

A hammer to Paul Pelosi’s head and common pins and razor blades in children’s Halloween goodies comparable evils.

There were 35 floats in the Fantasy Fest parade saturday night. An accurate estimate as to number of spectators not available. KeysNews does not print till tomorrow. At the moment the number suggested is in the “tens of thousands.”

Victor Rodriguez is Police Chief of McAllen, Texas. Part of the Rio Grande Valley. In the middle of the “border crisis.”

Chief Rodriguez announced the crime problem is not as is being represented. He claims: “Violence has gone down year after year since 2020, no matter what the fearmongers are selling.”

He provided numbers to support his position. Reported crime down for the 13th consecutive year and the present crime rate the lowest in 37 years.

The FBI agreed.

There are seats in Hell waiting for Putin and Trump. Next to Hitler.

Putin’s present approach to the Ukraine problem he created is if he can’t take the Ukraine, he will break it. In certain Ukraine areas, Putin has destroyed water and power systems. Ukrainian people are drinking water out of puddles in the streets.

Children will be out tricking and treating tonight. Drivers be careful. In my old age, I have taken to remaining in Halloween evenings. Not so much to greet those knocking on my door. Rather to be sure I don’t run over anyone.

Not that anyone will be knocking on my door tonight. I live far back in the golf course in the Sanctuary section. No one ever gets this far back. Most living in the area itself are seniors or those without children.

I lived in Key Haven for 23 years. A somewhat affluent community. As evidenced by how parents viewed the neighborhood.

Key Westers drove children in large vans and the back of pick up trucks from Key West to Key Haven. Why not! The goodies were the best in the lower Keys. The kids were dropped off, did their thing and returned eventually to the vehicles that had brought them.

Many living on Key Haven did it up big for the little ones. Some even set up tables on their front lawns loaded with goodies.

I miss Halloween. Enjoyed walking with my children back in Utica. Walked with Lisa and Corey as they walked Robert and Ally in Key West.

I am out of little ones.

Be well.

I have been a Syracuse fan since the first day I entered law school at Syracuse University in 1957. Not true blue, true orange.

It has been 65 years. I have supported every football coach, and Jim Boeheim of course, through thick and thin. Good and bad. More bad than good. Never even thought a coach should be fired. Now for the first time, I do. Dino Babers as the football coach.

Even when Babers went 1-10, I did not speak ill of him. My school, my team, my coach.

This season began a great one 6-0. Clemson last week the first loss. Could have been a Syracuse victory. Babers screwed up a few times. I called him on it. No one is perfect, however.

Syracuse should have beat the pants off Notre Dame yesterday. Instead, Notre Dame took Syracuse to the cleaners 41-24.

Against Clemson, Babers ran Tucker 5 times. Yesterday, he began the game by running Tucker multiple times. Even forgot to let Schrader pass after his first one that was intercepted.

The Syracuse defense has been stellar all season. Not yesterday. Notre Dame is known for its running game. Straight up the middle. Our defensive line could not stop them. Did not make sense. Syracuse should have been prepared for them. Why wasn’t it?

Schrader passing was off in the first half. Because of the injury which kept him out of the game in the second half? I don’t know.

I do know there is one major passing problem. Schrader likes to pass to one person…..Gadsden. Opposing teams know it. Double and triple team Gadsden as he runs to catch the ball. Babers should have Schrader throwing the ball to other receivers.

Syracuse looked like the Babers team that lost 10 games in one season.

The announcers were attributing Syracuse’s poor play to the Clemson game. Thought it was a tough one. The guys were tired and beat up.

No excuse.

The freshman Carlos Del Rio-Wilson distinguished himself in the second half when he replaced Schrader.

Syracuse will not fire Babers. They will not want to pay him the millions to buy his contract out and have to pay a new coach at the same time. The firing issue is all about money.

The last 2 home games have been sell outs. Fifty thousand fans. One more game like Notre Dame and the Dome will not be sold out. Fans are money conscious also. They want to see a winner play! Otherwise, they can sit at home and watch the game for free on TV.

Money an issue in home purchases, also. Home buyers are having a “come to Jesus” moment. Mortgage rates now top 7 percent. Recently topped 7 percent for the first time in 20 years. The 30 year fixed rate has gone to 7.08 percent. One year ago, it was 3.14 percent.

Home purchasers are dropping in numbers. Sellers are trying to unload. In September, sellers dropped asking prices an average of 20 percent. Many withdrew their listings.

Items associated with home ownership have also risen. Home insurance policies for example. Forty percent higher than 12 years ago.

Steve Thompson continues writing about Key West in the 1970’s.

The Boat Bar on Duval was well known in the seventies.

The Taco stand had to deal with their hookers and junkies. The Key West topless bar was on our other side. They all used our restrooms when they wanted to hide. Syringes and paper towels all over the place. The clean up crew said it was difficult to face.

There were fights almost every night. Everyone came to the taco stand for a bite. We had a good crew and they handled it just fine.

It was by far the best store of mine.

The New York Times ran a different and interesting article on 10/17 written by Rachel E. Gross. For some reason, it took till today to receive some prominence. The article’s title: Half The World Has A Clitoris. Why Don’t Doctors Study It?

The organ is “completely ignored by pretty much everyone” medical experts say, and that omission can be devastating to women’s sexual health.

The article identifies how little time is spent in medical school on the subject and how doctors are ignorant of its problems.

The article is shocking. Worth reading, especially by women.

Paul Pelosi fortunately is reported to be on the mend.

Many have offered their condolences and wishes for a speedy recovery to Nancy and the Pelosi family. Even Republicans. Except for Donald Trump who has not been heard from.

Be well.

No one is safe any longer. Death and injury have become too commonplace. Today, Speaker Pelosi’s husband. Yesterday, blacks and school children. Tomorrow, Jews.

We are a nation out of control. Trump let the vermin out of the their holes.

The solution? Vote! Get rid of the Republican Party that has crossed over the line and permits and encourages these activities. If the people do not recognize the evil for what it is, the remaining alternative will be outright civil war.

January 6 was close to 2 years ago. Hundreds have been arrested. Mostly the small guys, the followers. Time to go after those at the top. Time is wasting. Two groups must be sought out. The political leaders and the money bags who support what is happening. Those who foster the evil.

It may already be too late. It takes forever to prosecute, convict and jail. At least 2 years. Could be 4 with appeals. In the meantime, the bad guys continue to get their way. Once the top guys are toppled, the body will fall.

Tonight the Fantasy Fest parade. As many as 60,000 will line Duval. I have always wondered where they sleep. There are not enough beds between here and Marathon to hold them.

Back when, I thought how much fun it would be to be on a float. The opportunity arose some 20 years ago. My good friend Howard Livingston asked me to join him on a float he had prepared. I jumped at the chance!

One time was enough. Never again.

A float can be work. The one I was on was. I was totally exhausted at the end of the evening.

There were about 70 floats in the parade that year. We were number 64. It took 2-3 hours to make the trip. The first floats had finished before we even began.

Howard had purchased 30,000 strings of beads. There were at least a dozen of us on the float. We threw 22,000 to the crowd.

Howard had it organized. We kept one arm extended. He had people running to “reload” our arms with beads as they ran out.  The other arm was used to throw.

Throwing was initially exciting. Show me this, show me that had its pleasures. After a while, became work.

I noticed as we moved down Duval there were many in wheel chairs who were not getting any beads. I changed my modus operandi. Threw beads only to those in wheel chairs and on crutches.

The first portion of the trip was down Whitehead to Front. Then Front to Duval. The world changed the moment we hit Duval. It was like entering the mouth of a whale. The crowd and noise devoured us.

Exciting!

My game plan was to hit La Te Da after the parade to party. Never made it. I was too exhausted. Found my car and drove home.

A good experience. However as indicated earlier, a one time experience.

The flu season is upon us. Flu season 2022 has begun early. Experts say its severity is the worst in 13 years.

If you have not, get a flu shot! Don’t be stupid! Flu is non discriminatory. It kills as well as making one ill.

The first game of the World Series over. The Phillies beat the Astros 6-5.

The interesting thing about the game is that the Astros initially had a 5 run lead.

At noon today, Syracuse/Notre Dame. Syracuse a 10 point favorite. Whatever, I don’t care. As long as Syracuse wins. Though my heart tells me Syracuse will defeat the Irish by much more than 10 points.

Over the years, I have closed the blog with: Enjoy your day! Many have been critical. Wondering how I could suggest that when many of the things I wrote about were of an unpleasant nature.

I have decided to change my closing. To something hopefully more fitting: Be well!

So au revoir, auf Wiedersehen, good bye to Enjoy your day! Hello to Be well!

Be well!

Steve Thompson wrote about the first Fantasy Fest parade. He was proud of Cindy’s attire. Related to me everyone thought she looked terrific. He mentions Cindy in his recollection of the parade.

I remember the first Fantasy Fest. I believe it was one of the best. 

It was so dead for so long around here. We needed something to kick off the year. Tony and Bill from Fast Bucks came to the rescue. They put in many hours and built the best float too.

Those first few years were really great. There was some nudity, but none overweight.

I had a white standard poodle that looked like a sheep. My wife Cindy went as Little Bo Peep.

La Ti Da had a pink Cadillac convertible with a big sign. “Let them eat croissants” was their line. So they threw out croissants to everybody there. My dog Harry ate more than his share.

Cindy and Harry made it on the Poster that year.

That was forty years ago, now we stay clear.

Toga party last night!

For some reason, I was very tired. I was in bed and asleep at 8. Unusual for me.

Apparently I was the only one.

Received an e-mail from Tom Dixon in Buffalo this morning. He watched the festivities on Sloppy Joe’s cam last night. Filled me in. A voyeur in his own right. His observation: “Many togas do not cover everything.”

My housekeeper Sylvia is in this morning. She is the last one I would expect her and her husband to be on Duval in front of Sloppy Joe’s last night. They were there! She told me they will be back tonight and tomorrow night. They do Fantasy Fest every year.

My sole venture outside the house was at 2 in the afternoon. Tammy’s for a manicure and pedicure. The place was deserted. Like a morgue. Asked her why. She explained it is this way every year during Fantasy Fest. Her business is local and they are all working extra hours during Fantasy Fest.

She explained next week will be different. They are already overbooked.

Trump and DeSantis have become mortal enemies. Bess Levin wrote about it in an article published yesterday in Vanity Fair: Trump Plans To F–K Over Ron DeSantis Two days Before the Midterm Elections.

Levin’s comments included: “The ex-president…..despises the Florida governor.”

Trump has scheduled a rally in Miami the sunday before elections.

Levin reported: “DeSantis is pissed.” A DeSantis aid told her DeSantis feels Trump is placing “an elbow to his throat.”

I believe the two deserve each other. Neither is of value to the people they have represented, represent or hope to represent. Let them kill each other off.

Tampa Bay lost last night. To Baltimore. Tampa Bay’s record now 3-5.

All about Tom Brady. He’s screwed up. The split with his wife. It is affecting his game.

The way life is. Emotional problems can be a killer.

I feel badly for Brady. His wife and the children, also. Marital woes are disruptive. I know.

Exxon yesterday announced a record breaking third quarter profit. The most lucrative quarter Exxon has ever had: $19.66 billion.

Exxon should shout a loud THANK YOU to the American public AND drop prices to help reduce inflation.

What’s a few billion dollars to Exxon? Compares insignificantly to the few dollars it would permit American drivers to pocket every week.

Enjoy your day!

From my perspective, the best Fantasy Fest event is thursday night. Toga time!

Tonight the night!

Go to Duval and stand around in front of Sloppy Joe’s.

My recommendation assumes you enjoy a bit of nudity and perversion. Men and women alike clothe in white half sheets. My appreciation has always been in viewing the female gender naked. Some of the ladies enjoy showing off their wares. A sale, of course. For beads. First the breasts, then what’s in front down below, then their derrieres. Some then offer more. If a deal is made, she is off behind a building with some gent.

I only looked. A voyeur at heart. Never even bought a view. Watched on someone else’s beads.

Another “attire” option, spray painted. Ladies basically naked. Spray painted with private parts covered with a piece of material in some tiny fashion.

My joy will not be satiated tonight. Nor has it been since the beginning of COVID. I do not do Fantasy Fest any longer. Incapable. I walk with a cane. Even with a cane, my walking is limited to one block. Pain too much any further. Parking a pain, also. So I am compelled to deny myself the toga evening.

The first Fantasy Fest Parade was this day in 1979. Down Duval. Twenty six floats. Fast Buck Freddie’s Bride of Dracula won the Best Float award.

It is too bad Key West no longer has Fast Buck Freddie’s. One of the finest department stores in the world!

Yesterday, I did my duty by God and country. Voted. Completed my mail in ballot and personally delivered it to the Voting Offices on Whitehead. Mailing it in required too much work. A stop at the post office, waiting in line, etc.

I was surprised at the scarcity of voters. No one. Louis alone. I was there all of 20 seconds. Walked in, handed it to a woman and I was done. It was 2 in the afternoon. I have voted this way in the past. Normally people like me dropping their ballots off and others waiting in line to vote.

I had lunch earlier at Harpoon Harry’s. Told Ron to read my recent blog titled Harpoon Harry’s. Mentioned Angela and Vince DiLoreto that I had met at the Chart Room and recommended to them Harpoon Harry’s tuesday special lasagna. They stopped in tuesday. Angela wrote me and said how much she and Vince enjoyed the meal.

After voting, I stopped at the library to see Corey. Frist time. He has a nice office set up. We chatted about Robert and how he is doing in his first semester in college.

Gasoline in Key West fluctuating within 10 cents. Three days ago, it was $3.99 a gallon. Two days ago, $3.89 a gallon. Yesterday, back up to $3.99 a gallon.

The media is not always correct. Today and yesterday. On this day in 1941, the Chicago Daily Tribune in an editorial dismissed the possibility of war with Japan: “She cannot attack us. That is a military impossibility. Even our base at Hawaii is beyond the effective striking power of her fleet.”

Marjorie Taylor Greene tells a woman she is too old to have a say on abortion.

An elderly woman called in to a talk show where Greene was guesting: “My body is my body and I don’t want the government telling me what I can do with my body.”

Greene’s comment was out of line. At 87, I am too old to fight. However, I should be able to have an opinion and say whether I believe my country should go to war.

Syracuse/Notre Dame saturday. At Syracuse. Twelve noon.

Syracuse is 6-1, Notre Dame 4-3.

The Syracuse Dome holds roughly 50,000 spectators. Sold out.

Enjoy your day!

More than 1 million pythons call the Everglades home. Prior to Hurricane Andrew in 1992, the number was minimal.

Andrew hit Homestead as a Category 5. Totally wiped out Homestead. I was there 3 weeks after Andrew. The community flat. Nothing left standing except an occasional wall.

Pythons were home pets. Scattered by Andrew. Eventually made their home in the Everglades.

Pythons are sexual creatures. Active. Gestation period 60-90 days. Twelve to 36 eggs normally laid. Can be up to 100.

The pythons took over the Everglades. They have devoured 80 percent of animal and bird life.

The warning signs were there. The State of Florida did nothing. About 10 years ago, Florida became concerned. It was too late. State officials are quick to admit the error of their ways. Also that the best that can be done is to “control” python growth. “Eradication” impossible.

Florida has done a poor job of controlling. Probably never will be able to control. Several methods attempted to control. All a failure.

One was to have an annual hunt and award money prizes for the most captured. The program still ongoing. Called the Florida Python Challenge.

The winner of the 2022 Challenge is 19 year old Matthew Concepcion from Palmetto Bay. He captured 28 pythons.

Note, not an easy task. Some run 15-18 feet long.

Concepcion hunted for 10 days. At night. He claims it is the best time. Especially around 4 in the morning. Similar to the big fish that come up around 4 in the afternoon. Only the time difference involved.

At 4 am Concepcion says the pythons are stretched out relaxing. He grabs them. The “best way to get them,” he says.

He has been a python hunter 5 years. Bitten 5 times: “Their teeth retract backward so you have to let them bite us, and you either pour alcohol in their mouth or pray it lets you go.”

Concepcion’s victory significant. More than 1,000 python hunters from all over the world participated.

Concepcion’s prize was $10,000.

Inflation. Gas and groceries, yes. Mortgages, also.

South Florida has seen mortgage payments increase 95 percent. Interest rates have skyrocketed. Doubled since the beginning of the year.

John Fetterman and Dr. Oz debated last night in the Pennsylvania Senate race. I watched portions. Can only describe Fetterman’s performance as “painful.” I felt sorry for him. He is recovering from a stroke.

His first answer last night: “Hi! Goodnight, everybody!”

It was downhill from there.

Fetterman is still recovering. At some point, he will be normal. Will folks understand and give him a chance?

Proud Boys and Oath Keepers are signing up as poll workers and drop-box watchers.

A ground up, localized effort to control elections.

Pennsylvania an example of what is happening. In 50 of 67 counties, election chiefs have left because of threats, harassments and intimidation against them and their families.

Gunfight at OK Corral. So many movies!

It was on this day in 1881 that the famous shootout occurred in Tombstone, Arizona. The good guys led by Wyatt Earp.

On this day in 1825, the Erie Canal opened in New York State. It connected the Hudson River and Lake Erie.

My home town is Utica. Right in the middle of the State and middle of the Canal. The Canal made Utica a political and commercial giant for almost a century. Two U.S. Senators, Governors, a Presidential candidate, and a U.S. Vice President. Served as an overnight stop on the Canal. Hotel and retail businesses thrived. Manufacturing, also. Cotton goods.

All because of the Canal. No more, however.

Utica had a population of 150,000 when I was in high school. Today, 65,000. It has been reduced to the 10th largest city in the State. The cotton mills long gone. They moved south in the 1950’s where labor was cheaper, not unionized.

Today, the home of several colleges. New businesses come in. Some stay, some leave. Its claim to fame is it is a good place to live and raise a family.

The Canal’s impact obviously long gone.

Enjoy your day!

The wonder of it all! Only in Key West! Men and women alike! Wearing tutus!

One of the Fantasy Fest events tonight is Tutu Pre-Party. Skirted persons will march the streets stopping at specified bars to imbibe. Oh, what a night it will be!

I went out last night. I had no intention of going downtown. Sloan was to be at my home at 5. We had a ton of work to do. At 4:45, Comcast/Infinity failed. Everything. No computer, TV or land line. So much for Sloan and I working. I called her off.

I can’t live without TV or internet. Need one or the other. My only remaining option was the Chart Room.

Glad I went! Enjoyed myself!

John bartending. Only ono other person. Jeff. Within an hour, the bar had a good crowd.

Steve and Cindy arrived. Monday is their night at the Chart Room.

We chatted with a couple from upper Florida who were seated next to us.

Everyone at the bar was talking tutu. Even John. I don’t think Steve and Cindy. What they were wearing, how they were going to handle the evening, etc.

I won’t be joining. Not the tutu type. Will spend the evening at home. Hope I can get Sloan so we can take care of the work that is piling up.

Driving home my stomach started to rumble. I was hungry. Stopped at Hogfish to grab something.

Sat at the bar. Fellow next to me looked familiar. I had played bocce against him for years. Name, James. Good conversation. One of the bartenders I had not seen in years. She worked at Don’s Place at the outside bar. Her name escapes me.

She filled me in on Don news. Don survived his cancer problems. Retired and living in Chicago. Recently returned for a visit. Fat. Surprising. Never was. Disposition good. He’s happy.

I will have to get in touch.

It was lobster bisque and key lime pie for me. Bisque fantastic as usual. The pie horrible.

Key West has had many successful industries. They come and go, however. Cigars for example. In 1923 there were 25 cigar factories producing more than 60 million cigars a year. Today, no cigar factories. All that remains are a few stands on the street where old men sit and roll by hand for sale to passerbys.

We are going through an era of bad judges. Especially at the Supreme Court level.

Clarence Thomas one of the worst. I have not been a fan of his since the day he was elevated. It was obvious he did not have the requisite talent. His color got him the position. His more than 25 years on the bench have proven his lack of judicial ability.

He blew it again. Yesterday by not routinely dismissing Lindsay Graham’s emergency application to the Supreme Court. Graham wants the subpoena served upon him in the Georgia vote fraud matter to be set aside. He does not want to testify before the Grand Jury re two telephone calls.

Two lower courts had already dismissed Graham’s application and said he had to testify. Thomas’ action now delays the matter and leaves it up to the entire Court. Good luck for the rule of law!

Thomas had a decided conflict of interest. He could have recused himself. He should have. His wife is involved with an “interest” in the matter as has already been evidenced.

Another federal judge had a sensitive matter before him yesterday and handled it judiciously. Quite the opposite from Thomas.

The Judge a Federal District Court one. Emmett Sullivan.

Michael Flynn was before him for sentencing. The charge was lying to federal officials. He pled guilty a year ago and promised cooperation.

Apparently both sides thought he had cooperated sufficiently. The prosecution and defense agreed to a minor guilty plea and no jail time.

Judge Sullivan did not buy it. He refused to accept the plea and deal. He in effect gave Flynn a “new asshole.”

The good Judge Sullivan said, “I’m not hiding my disgust.” He expressed his “disdain” for Flynn. Unequivocally said to Flynn, “You sold out your country.”

Nothing further happened. Flynn’s attorney asked for a continuance when Judge Sullivan said he was not sure he was going ahead with the “deal.” The matter was adjourned.

We need more Sullivans and fewer, if not none, Thomas’.

Judge Sullivan reminds me of a Judge with similar toughness and honesty some fifty years ago. Judge John Sirica. The Watergate Judge. He sensed wrongdoing and would not go along with a white washing. Men went to jail, Nixon resigned.

What I am about to share I find hard to believe. Guess I should not.

Rolling Sone and Bess Levin of Vanity Fair claim Trump is actually plotting to steal the midterm elections: “Rolling Stone claims Trump has convened lawyers and advisers to scheme how to challenge the results in November if they do not go his way.”

Trump does not appear concerned he is already under criminal investigation by the Department of Justice for attempting to steal the 2020 election. Perhaps he is without fear. Why not, he so far has gotten away with everything wrong he has attempted.

Enjoy your day!