Services were held for Colin Powell yesterday.

Every service for a national leader is accompanied with emotion. Each a bit different. Each service intended to clearly reveal the nature of the person being honored.

Powell’s service was different. Without question, very different. It reflected more the man’s personal life than his professional one.

Most, if not all, watching had to be touched. I am not ashamed to admit the tears flowed more than normal. I checked with friends afterwards to get their reaction as they watched. Each the same. A teary eyed experience.

One of the stories told took place when Powell was Secretary of State. The Harlem Globetrotters were visiting him in his office. Several of the players formed a circle. Powell was part of it. They were tossing a basketball back and forth.

Everytime it was passed to Powell, he dropped it. Finmally one of he players asked why he was constantly dropping the ball. Powell’s honest response one for the books: “While you were shooting hoops, I was stealing hubcaps.”

Another story involved what I recall was acar owned by Powell’s son. Powell enjoyed tinkering with cars. He thought he knew everything about them.

The son’s car was making a noise. Powell spent a weekend eliminating the noise. Totally removed the engine. He had all kinds of hoists to assist him.

When Powell thought he had the problem fixed, he put the car back together.

The noise was gone. Another problem was evident, however. The car would only drive backwards.

Powell decided to take the car to a mechanic whose business was 3 miles away. Powell drove the car backwards the whole 3 miles.

Came across an interesting quote today: “Love, and be happy, and make others so.”

The quote in itself warm and sensitive. There was a uniqueness, however. The line comes from a book written by Mary Shelly: A character in the book spoke the line: The book Frankenstein.

Shelly was questioned as to what the line meant. She said it helped answer the question on the meaning of life. She was suggesting everyone should be “compassionate.”

The Weather Department has issued its forecast re what the Keys is to expect. Dry and warm.

The reason has to do with Los Ninos. Rather than a horrible season weather wise, Los Ninos would bring above average temperatures across the south and eastern seaboard this winter.

I have had the initial two shots. Two weeks ago today, the booster.

My doctor advises it takes two weeks to be sure the booster shot is performing as it should.

It is two weeks ago I received the booster shot.

Ergo, it is back to the highway for me today. Actually, this evening. I am going out! Can’t wait. The quarantine was getting to me.

Don’t know where I will go or what I will do. However rest assured I will do something!

Enjoy your day!

The place Chernobyl. The time April 25 and 26, 1986. Involved, a nuclear power plant. Chernobyl then a part of Russia. Today, the Ukraine.

Russia had installed 4 nuclear reactors.

The nuclear power plant exploded and burned.

Thirty percent of 190 metric tons of uranium entered the atmosphere as a result.

Today, some 35 years later, Chernobyl remains uninhabitable. Experts estimate it may not be habitable for 20,000 years.

Russia established a 19 mile wide “exclusion zone.” Three hundred thirty five thousand people were evacuated.

It was estimated monitoring and cleanup would continue to at least 2065. Even then, people would not be able to live in the area.

The actual number who died is uncertain. Uranium caused physical problems many times take years to evidence themselves. Sometimes, generations.

It has been determined that 6,000 children and adolescents alive at the time and in the area developed thyroid cancer. Many persons suffered from other radiation problems.

Eleven years later in 1997, a woman came to visit me. Her 10 month old daughter was with her. A beautiful blond haired baby.

A portion of one of the baby’s arms was missing from just above the elbow down. She had been born that way.

Turns out her husband lived and worked 14 miles from Chernobyl when the explosion occurred. His wife lived nowhere near the site.

Years later when living in the U.S., they met and married. The baby she was holding was their first born.

The mother suspected Chernobyl had something to do with it. Her husband was obstinate, however. He would not see a doctor, be tested, nor agree to have the baby tested, to determine why the baby was born with one arm dramatically short. I suspect mentally he did not want to bear responsibility.

The mother obviously had spoken to several doctors. All suspected Chernobyl as the cause. None knew enough to guide her further. She had been told the radiation could have affected her husband’s testicles and semen resulting in the problem.

Could I help?

I knew less than her doctors. I told her such, but agreed to look into the matter.

It took me 4 months to get a handle on it. I read a lot. Spoke with lawyers, doctors and scientists in the U.S.,  London and Berlin. The U.S. “experts” directed me to the London and Berlin ones.

I learned a lot. None of which was helpful to the baby.

Yes, the male’s testicles and semen most likely were the cause. However, I was advised there was no where to go to obtain monetary relief for the child. Others had tried with little to no success.

Russia, the Ukraine, radiation experts, other type experts, etc. blocked the way. I would end up devoting 5 years to a case that was absolutely non winnable.

I suspected the case was non-winnable when I agreed to look into it. It was not the first time I learned a basic tenet taught in law school was wrong.

We were taught for every wrong there was a remedy. Good luck! I could not get the baby a new arm. A for real one. I could not get her monetary compensation.

There was nowhere to go.

The case was so convoluted I knew I would even find a court to hear the case. Every court would deny jurisdiction. The case was a loser.

The mother understood. I had never given her false hope.

Chernobyl is today as it has been since the explosion. A ghost town, except for some environmental clean up experts. Persons who could not actually clean up. Rather were working to minimize the effects of the explosion.

Enjoy your day!

I am neither doctor nor psychiatrist. However I can recognize a person who is in trouble mentally. We all can.

I just finished watching Joe Manchin on Morning Joe. Ten minutes. I am mentally exhausted. His words like rapid gun fire. His thoughts jumbled. He quickly moved from one topic to another to support his position on the social infrastructure bill. Many not involved with the bill. It was hard to keep up with him.

I saw a man who has painted himself into a corner and does not know how to get out. His argumentative disposition and attempts at dominance in the interview scary.

He is one of many running our country. Thank God he is only one.

The problem is he holds all the cards. He controls the domestic life of the American people.

The interview and how he has been handling the most critical legislation of the day reminded me of one of the final scenes in the the movie The Bridge on the River Kwai.

A handful of British commando types had just blown up a railroad bridge that British prisoners of war had spent months building. An expected train of Japanese big shots had arrived. The bridge blew as the train was going over. The train ended up in the river. All but one of the commandos lay dead in or about the river.

Standing on a small hillside watching the event was the British doctor who had been caring for the prisoners. He spoke simple words that that accurately described the scene: “Insanity. Pure insanity.”

That is how I felt after watching Manchin. From the looks on the faces of those interviewing him, I sense they thought likewise.

My blog this morning was not intended to be a Manchin one. I have been working on a Chernobyl article that I intended to finish and publish this morning. It will have to wait another day. Manchin took precedence.

Enjoy your day!

Wow! Glorious victory turns into abject defeat one year later.

Democrats one year ago. One year later, the Republicans significant winners.

The 2022 elections are now a year away. The tide can turn again. Democrats must learn from their mistakes and pull off another 2020. It can be done.

A few of my thoughts.

Virginia. First time I saw Youngkins speak at any length was last night in his victory speech. An engaging speaker. The tongue of an orator.

One problem. He spoke Trumpism, yet in a different way. He flowered up Trump’s words. Made them sound acceptable.

He engaged his thoughts well. He spoke in phrases. He made MAGNA concepts appealing. The problem from my perspective is that most people would not pick up on the fact that he was mouthing Trump banalities only with a different dressing.

The people of Virginia bought the deception.

His words re education and police sounded good. Acceptable. Who can deny parents should have some say in how their children are educated. From mask wearing to what books should be read. As to police, he was not for defunding. Rather fund the police better, train them better. His saleable point that police are needed to protect us. Nothing about police indiscriminately killing blacks.

He spoke about Virginia. The man a master in discussing his State. He sounded like a candidate for President. As if his election would “save the nation,” rather than Virginia alone. He even made Virginia sound as if it were in bad shape. I was not aware till I heard him speak last night.

Beware. Watch him closely. He is 2024 Presidential timber.

His talent showed in another area. Though he spoke Trump thoughts, he refused to allied himself with Trump. Even refused to appear publicly with him.

A devil in disguise, Youngkins speaks with a forked tongue.

As to McAuliffe, he was not alone in losing. There were other notable Democratic losses.

He proved you can’t run against Trump alone. People are more concerned with their everyday personal problems. The economy, education, etc.

Democrats have to get their act together. Failure to do so will result in the Democrats resurrecting the dying Republican Party.

The Democrats beat themselves. Washington did not help. Merely reflected perhaps that the Democrats could not govern. Washington Democrats governed this past year as if it were their first rodeo.

New Jersey shocked me. I thought Murphy was an easy far and away winner. This morning the New Jersey race not yet decided. The two candidates are neck and neck. Very close. How close does not appear certain. One news source said the Republican Ciattarelli was ahead by 1,200 votes. Another, 61.

The Democratic losses in general are not determinative for the 2022 elections. Democrats will study why they lost, correct their errors, and be ready to meet the enemy the next time around.

I assume they will. If not, I fear our Nation may fall into the abyss I have several times mentioned in the past.

Manchin and Sinema contributed to a degree to the Democratic losses. Their stubborness made it appear Democrats could not govern.

Where do the Washington Democrats go from here?

Sinema appears to now be on board re the social infrastructure bill. The pharma drug issue turned her around.

That leaves Manchin out there fighting against the “hordes” of his own Party. What a hero he must think he is. Reminds me of the bad Queen in Snow White. Recall she would look in the mirror and ask: Who is the fairest of them all? Manchin probably looks in the mirror and asks: Who is the smartest of them all?

Manchin keeps slugging. He does not relent. If he keeps it up, he’s going to knock himself out with one of his own punches.

Filming for The Rose Tattoo in Key West began this day in 1954.

Most of the movie was filmed in a house on Duncan Street. Two doors from Tennessee William’s home. Two blocks from Lisa’s home.

The house still stands.

The film starred the Italian actress Anna Magnani and Burt Lancaster. Magnani won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance. Lancaster spent most of his time while filming as a guest in Tennessee Williams’ home.

I returned to self-quarantine 3-4 months ago when things began turning bad again. I have reached the end of the road as a recluse. Saturday will mark 2 weeks since my booster shot. Doctor says the shot requires two weeks to take effect. I return to the outside world saturday night!

Due to my fanaticism re good health, I missed Fantasy Fest. One item received considerable attention.

Nudity. In all its grandeur! More than ever before.

I am a voyeur at heart. I am sure I would have enjoyed the scene.

Maybe next year.

Enjoy your day!

What is Manchin’s problem?

Someone tell me.

I do not understand him.

I am concluding it may be one of following: He is a Republican to be in disguise or he has lost it mentally.

Representative Cori Bush (D-Mo.) said Manchin’s opposition to the reconciliation bill is “anti-Black, anti-child, anti-woman, and anti-immigrant.”

Can’t argue with Bush. Once again, I ask why has the man become the strange and demented person we see today.

Chilling events occurring. U.S.manufacturers are commenting about what they describe as “everyday stagnation.” Referring to demand, prices, and supply chain chaos being experienced.

The manufacturers seem to be united on one point: Things are not going to get better anytime soon.

I listened yesterday to the Supreme Court arguments in the two Texas abortion cases. Each dealing with the new law.

Interestingly, the arguments never mentioned abortion. The arguments had to do with the procedures involved under the new law.

My thoughts.

Questioning rarely gives an indication of how a judge may be thinking. I’ve argued appeals where I thought upon finishing that Judge X was with me. Rarely the case. The judge generally ruled the other way.

I make the point because Justices Kavanaugh and Barrett clearly would lead one to believe they were going to vote against the new law. Two staunch conservatives joining the Court’s liberal voting block?

If they do, I suspect it is there way of trying to get themselves back in the good graces of the American public. Recall they both supported the earlier shadow decision.

Appeals are really judges asking questions of the attorneys. I always found it a pain in the ass. I would be making a strong point for my client and suddenly one of the judges would interrupt with a question that had nothing to do with the issues in the case.

Questioning was heavy yesterday. Most of the questions seemed to be on point. Some from left field. However not being that versed in the minute legalities involved, I nevertheless am sure some were from left field. There always is.

Justice Kagan in a comment and not a question, knocked whoever the “genius” was who wrote the law.

The Los Angeles Times in an editorial written following the argument yesterday wrote, “The legitimacy of the high court and the integrity of the U.S. Constitution are…..at stake. Is the Supreme Court really going to let a state ignore the Constitution with a diabolically novel enforcement scheme?”

The Chinese and their government do many things not consistent with the way things are done in the U.S. Such does not necessarily mean the U.S. is correct in everything.

Missteps by the Chinese government have become obvious.

Saturday at the Shanghai Disneyland one person tested positive for coronavirus. Disneyland immediately shut down, locked the gates. No one could get out. There were 33,863 persons so confined.

The reason was those 33,863 had to be tested and questioned re whether near someone who had come down with the virus.

It took hours, but it was done.

The result: Not one of the 33,863 were infected. Impossible! There had to be some.

My suspicion is that the Chinese government must have directed the statement that no other person was infected. The only logical conclusion I can arrive at.

The woman killed in the scooter/auto accident saturday night has been identified: Kira Saner. Age 39. Resided on Stock Island.

I was talking on the phone with my manicurist Tammy yesterday. She sounded sad. She was. She told me Kira had been her customer.

An interesting editorial in the Key West Citizen this morning: “On COVID DeSantis Losing Touch With Reality.”

No question about it. He is worse than Trump and as arbitrary as Manchin. What I fear most is that if Trump does not run in 2024, DeSantis by a wide margin is considered the leading Republican candidate.

Tonight, tonight. Love tuesday nights. My blog talk radio show: Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. A fast moving half hour of me ranting and raving about the previous week’s happenings.

Guaranteed you will enjoy. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou.

Enjoy your day!

At 10 pm last night tragedy struck in Key West. One event. Two deaths. An accident and a suicide.

The site North Roosevelt Boulevard near the 24 North Hotel. A silver SUV turned in front of a scooter. The scooter did not have time to stop.

The operator of the scooter was a woman. She died at Lower Keys Medical Center.

The operator of the SUV a man. He was directed by the police into the parking lot near the Gates Hotel. When there, he retrieved a hand gun and shot himself in the head. He died immediately. A suicide.

No other facts are available at this time.

Election days were different in Colonial times. Big booze parties.

This topic was selected because it took place in Virginia. Tomorrow an important gubernatorial election will take place in Virginia. The Colonial election took place on this day in 1758.

The atmosphere surrounding the two as different as day and night.

The election was for the Virginia House of Burgesses. The actual voting process not as it is today. Candidates met in one community. One large gathering in a large hall. Candidates spoke. Voting thereafter was by voice or showing of arms.

Another difference involved alcohol. Candidates were expected to provide booze. Everyone partied up before the vote was taken. Most of the voters drunk before the election itself.

One candidate and provider of spirits was George Washington. Already a wealthy planter. His reputation as a warrior having been established in the French and Indian Wars.

Washington was a generous man. As well as an astute one. He plied the voters with 47 gallons of beer, 35 gallons of wine, 2 gallons of cider, 3 1/2 pints of brandy, and 70 gallons of rum punch.

He won the election.

The pandemic is just under 2 years old. This weekend, COVID deaths exceeded 5 million world wide.

And the end is not yet in sight!

An important Supreme Court day. The Court will hear arguments on the restrictive Texas abortion law.

The case has been “fast tracked.” Because of the furor the “shadow court” decision made.

One problem, however. The Court’s decision is not expected till the Spring.

For several years, I have been advising an overhaul of the judicial system is in order. From the Department of Justice to the Supreme Court.

What sense does it make to fast track today’s hearing and then let the nation wait several months for the decision? If the case is important enough to be fast tracked, it is important enough to be decided with similar swiftness.

It can be done. It has been done. Gore v. Bush one example.

The ceiling of the Sistine Chapel is one of the artistic wonders of the world.

The Sistine Chapel was opened to the public on this day in 1512 for viewing of the ceiling.

Michelangelo the artist. It took him 4 years to complete the project. Began in 1508, finished in 1512.

The most famous portion of the work is the center of the ceiling. Named “The Creation of Adam.” It shows the hands of God and Adam stretching towards each other.

I was fortunate to view the Sistine Chapel on two occasions. An experience in itself.

The whole world wants to see the ceiling. People arrive daily from all parts of the world. An ordeal to reach and then view the ceiling.

An extremely long corridor to reach the Chapel. People packed like sardines moving slowly.

After considerable time, one arrives in the Chapel itself. All necks cranked backward, eyes elevated. Excitement runs through one’s body. The ceiling an awesome sight.

The Chapel itself is not that large. Visitors continue to be packed in like sardines.

The viewing worth the discomfort. God was in Michelangelo’s hands as he painted the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel.

Enjoy your day!

Happy Halloween!

One of my happiest days as a father. When the kids were little, I took them Trick or Treating. I would stand on the sidewalk as they ran up to the front door of each house.

Their excitement became mine.

When we got home, we would lie on the living room carpet and go through the goodies. Me, too! I enjoyed the excitement of….Look what I got! I enjoyed also in joining them eating the unhealthy food.

Their mother was always in the background yelling at me to “stop letting them eat that garbage.”

Those were the days.

I have been in quarantine again for 3-4 months. Sick of it!

Next saturday will be 2 weeks since my booster shot. I can’t wait. I am getting stir crazy. I am going out next saturday!

I missed Fantasy Fest this week. All I have are some newspaper photos to show me what is going on.

From my perspective, nothing should have been. Key West cancelled the parade and other public events. However everything else was planned, open and available.

Saw a picture of the Zombie Bike Riders. Three different streets. Crowded shoulder to shoulder as far as the eye could see. Everyone made up to look like zombies.

The zombie parade begins at the cemetery. Because of the crowd, three separate streets were used. Each ending up in the same place on Duval.

There was also a photo of costume dressed people marching down Duval all excited. Not as many as the zombie event, but enough.

My age affects my thinking process. I believe all of Key West should have been shut down. No partying anywhere, inside or out.

COVID is not behind us. Yes, the numbers are better in Florida the past 2 weeks. Guaranteed the numbers will be up in Key West in 2 more weeks. COVID must have had a field day this past week while enjoying Fantasy Fest together with the humans.

Facebook has billions with which to operate. Whatever they do should be better than what has been done. All of Facebook’s problems probably could have been avoided with better care being taken in the formulation/development of new steps.

The most recent example being the new name for Facebook revealed this past week by Zuckerberg: META, short for Metaverse.

Facebook blew it!

The term META is traceable to “dead” in Hebrew. Israelis have been mocking the name. Someone developed a new hashtag: #Facebook Dead.

When it rains, it pours!

Lori has been cutting my hair for more than 25 years. We have become friends.

I got a haircut about a week ago. Lori told me she and her husband were going camping this weekend. Where, I asked? In the Everglades.

Sounded strange to me. I have been through the Everglades by car several times and once by a 24 hour boat trip.

I asked why would you want to go to the Everglades to camp.

They have done it before. They were going with another couple this time. The others like to swim. Swim!!! They’ve got to be crazy!

Lori agreed. She refuses to go in the water. There are alligators everywhere. And who knows what else.

This blog appears also in Feedspot everyday. Feedspot carried an article today: Snorkeling in the Florida Everglades.

No way, Jose! Some people are just plain crazy!

Gas prices have been going up the past several months. COVID and the supply line problems the reasons given why.

Bullshit!

Saudi Aramco announced yesterday that it had posted a 160 percent rise in profit for the third quarter just ended. In dollars, the profit amounted to $30.4 billion.

We have been warned gas prices will continue to go up. Aramco announced they expected the next few quarters to be even better.

President Biden and Communion. An ongoing issue.

Prior to Biden’s visit with the Pope, several American bishops wrote the Pope chastising him for meeting with Biden. The reason being Biden supports legalized abortion.

Recall a good number of American bishops are anti-Pope Francis. They want him removed from the Papal Office for a number off reasons. They are joined in the effort by Steve Bannon and Newt Gingrich.

The Pope handled the matter well.

In their face to face meeting, Francis called Biden a “good Catholic” and said he should continue receiving Communion.

That same day, Biden and his wife received Communion at St. Patrick’s Church in Rome. St. Patrick’s a part of Francis’ archdiocese. Father Joe Ciccone is Vice-Rector at St. Patrick’s. He said, “When you are a public figure you have to make certain decisions, especially in a democracy, on behalf of more than just your own personal feelings.”

The Atlanta Braves continue to have a nick name problem. A number of people want the name “Braves” removed.

It’s World Series time. Last night, Trump and wife attended the game in a private box. They were seated up front in the box. They smilingly joined the rest of the fans who stood and did the “Tomahawk Chop.”

The term is considered racist and demeaning by Native Americans.

Syracuse won again yesterday. Beat Boston College 21-6. Hope we win a couple more.

Enjoy Halloween!

Tomorrow night is Halloween. All kinds of evil things will occur. The dead will rise from their graves. Ghosts will run the streets. Satan will do his sinful work. Children may be stolen.

Witches will be out and about. Satan’s mates. Cats scurrying about. Especially, black ones.

Lock yourselves indoors!

Witchcraft was in vogue from the 1200s through the 1600s. The Catholic cry was to get rid of the witches. They were the Devil’s representatives on earth. Good people were burned at the stake.

Cats got involved. Witches and cats go together. Cats were linked to Satanism and witchcraft.

Some Pope in the 11oo’s decried cats were diabolical, associated with the Devil. Cats began to have their own Inquisition. They were tortured and culled, just as humans during the Spanish Inquisition.

In 1233, a Trump type was Pope. Gregory IX. He needed to enhance his image. He issued a papal bull. Vox in Rama. In it, Gregory clearly spelled out the relatioship between cats and the Devil. An evil marriage.

That was it for cats. Cat executions significantly increased. They were executed in large numbers. Very few, if any, cats existed for 400 years.

Cats were #1 rat predators. Without cats, the rat population flourished. Rats were the ones that spread the bubonic plague aka black death.

It took 100 years for the effect of the slaughter of the cats to be felt. Europe experienced its first bubonic plague outbreak in the early 1300’s. Three more thereafter. It is estimated 50 million died. The number represented 50-60 percent of the world’s population at the time.

All because a Pope assumed cats were evil.

Cats generally carried fleas in their body hair. The fleas were infected with the plague. The plague was transferred from the cats to humans in 2 ways. A cat would bite or scratch a human. Or, the fleas carried in cat hairs jumped over onto a human’s body.

It was game on! The plague bacillus is known as Yersinia pestis. It found its way into a person’s nearest lymph node where it replicated itself.

Death ensued.

There has never been a vaccine for the bubonic plague. Modern day medicines have been developed however which can cure the plague infection if timely received.

The plague was born because a Pope thought cats were in some manner related to the Devil and recommended the death of all cats.

A brilliant move thought he. People acclaimed him. The Pope a precursor to Trump, though by many years.

Enjoy your day!

What goes around comes around.

Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema will get their just due. It is only a question of when.

It is not because they played hardball. Rather, it is because they did not know how to say yes when asked to cooperate, for a favor, etc. Many visited them over the past few weeks asking for help. Reasons given why. Positive responses appear to have been none.

Those asking were primarily contemporaries. Other elected officials. Including President Biden.

Manchin especially refused to bend.

Everyone needs a favor now and then. Special help. Manchin and Sinema will approach those they have recently turned down. Memories are long lived. They will receive the same congenial response they gave to those who asked for their help. Sorry…..I just can’t do it.

A man I have admired for many years is New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof. He started with the Times when 25. Now 37 years later at 62, he is leaving.

Hard to believe.

He is leaving to run as the Democratic candidate for Governor of Oregon.

He feels an obligation to actually fight the battles he has commented on up to this time.

A good man. A very good man. However, I think he’s crazy. He is entering the twilight of his life/career. He is highly respected. Twice a Pulitzer Prize winner. His written words always steeped in wisdom.

He has been motivated by a desire to help. No selfish purpose involved.

In his sudden good bye column, he wrote: “We are an amazing species, and we can do better.” Such will be his goal. To do better by helping those most in need. If you have been a loyal reader of his columns over the years, you would recognize his motivation an unselfish one.

Such is the man.

Andrew Cuomo has been legally charged. With one misdemeanor. Eleven women complained. Only one’s complaint is being pursued apparently.

The woman claims breast fondling.

The charge carries a maximum sentence of one year. The case is venued in Albany City Court.

The case could be one involving she said, he said. Perhaps more. Time will tell.

Facebook announced it is changing its name to META. No more Facebook.

How this will help them re the company’s present problems, I don’t know.

Several other social media companies are doing the same.

Men! Beware or aware. I am not sure. My message is that cosmetic companies have decided to go after men. A multibillion dollar target from the perspective of producers. Make up “is the final frontier of men’s grooming.”

In 2019, the market was $47 billion. By 2027, it is expected to be $78 billion.

Male grooming is big in Asia. Especially Japan. Japan is 65 percent of the world’s business. At the present time, the U.S. a mere 5 percent.

Enjoy your day!

President Biden leaves today for Europe and a series of meetings. One involves a meeting at the Vatican with Pope Francis.

Francis the #1 Catholic in the world. Biden one of the most devoted.

There is much they could talk about. World problems are many. However due to the constraints of time, I have selected one which I believe will consume a good portion of their time. American bishops.

Both men are “common targets” of a large group of American bishops seeking to undermine them.

Climate change is an item of concern to both men. A significant one.

In 2015, Francis wrote the encyclical Laudats Si. It dealt with climate change and global warming. Francis recognized the dangers and wrote the encyclical which in normal course would reach Church members world wide.

It is common knowledge that a significant number of Catholic bishops oppose Francis. The U.S. Conference of Bishops one. Whatever Frances stands for, they are against.

The Bishops Conference is the far right wing of the Catholic Church. Like far right Republicans in the U.S. In fact, the Bishops and far right Republicans have joined in their efforts to oppose the same things politically in the U.S. They walk hand in hand.

To appreciate what is being set forth, recognize that the U.S. Ambassador to the Vatican under Trump was Callista Gingrich. Wife of Newt Gingrich. Her position gave Gingrich influence in the Vatican.

During the Trump administration, Steve Bannon became interested in the Vatican. His purpose to bring down existing governments was extended to include the Vatican. The Vatican is considered a government state.

Bannon spent considerable time within the Vatican. He and Gingrich worked hand in hand. Both strongly opposed to Francis. The two worked with the Catholic bishops and Vatican hierarchy opposed to Francis.

What a marriage! Catholic bishops, Vatican hierarchy, Gingrich and Bannon all working against Francis.

Francis needed God on his side then and now.

Encyclicals are like a letter to all Catholics. Bishops and local clergy are expected to make parishioners aware of an encyclical’s contents and push parishioners to support a Pope in the position taken.

Catholic bishops did not push Laudats Si. Never made it a priority. Went their own way by ignoring the encyclical. By so doing, the bishops diminished its importance.

Silence can influence a subject. Silence can work as a denial of a subject.

Catholic bishops seem to be of the same frame of mind as older Republicans. Also each group is white. Older and white. Sound familiar?

Most interesting was a survey conducted. Forty seven percent of those Bishops who responded said FOX News was their primary source of news.

Would you believe!

Biden was to fly off to Europe at 8:30. He has not left yet. He is making a last ditch effort to package the social infrastructure bill.

Manchin and Sinema are the culprits holding things up. Their 2 votes required.

Both can congratulate themselves from destroying what initially was a terrific bill for the American people. They have eaten away at it. Many important matters had to be removed. Some lessened in time and money.

Retribution and revenge are in order. It will come. Not immediately. However at some future time, each will feel the wrath of their Party and the American people.

Kyrsten Sinema committed sacrilege. Tuesday she wore a black T shirt and blue denim vest when she was Presiding over the Senate.

She has chosen the path of personal ambition over party loyalty. She perceives herself as another John McCain. She kids herself!

Diversity has been around for two generations now. Intended to help blacks and other minorities. The tide is turning. In recent years, diversity in some cases has been working in favor of whites over blacks. Sort of what’s good for the goose is good for the gander and vice versa.

The day of successful “reverse discrimination” is at hand.

David Duvall is in his early 50’s. A white man. He was part of senior management with Novant Health hospital system. He was Senior Vice President of Marketing and Communications. He had been employed by Novant for close to 5 years.

Novant determined a need to promote diversity in its management ranks by sex and gender. Duvall was fired within 5 days of his fifth anniversary with the company. Significant also in that he would have been entitled to a greater severance pay if he had reached the 5 year mark.

Duvall was discharged for alleged incompetency, mistakes, etc. He was replaced by a black woman and a white woman.

Duvall sued in federal court in North Carolina. He claimed he was fired because he was a white male.

The jury agreed with him. He was awarded $10 million.

Enjoy your day!