Panicsville struck yesterday!

I was revising a chapter in one of the books I hope to publish when I had to check something on Facebook. No Facebook!

A major calamity! Say what you want about Facebook, it nevertheless is a site/platform many use.

Called Sloan to fix the problem. Not realizing Facebook’s whole system was out. Could not reach Sloan. Her phone was dead. E-mailed her. No response.

Jokingly thought the Anti-Christ was coming.

Turns out Facebook was down throughout almost its entire system: 1.84  billion experiencing the same problem I was. Only one problem. I did not know that till this morning.

Facebook was down 7 hours.

Read this morning that Facebook apologized.

Instagram and WhatsApp were also down.

Yesterday’s outage was Facebook’s longest since 2008.

Nobel Prize winners were announced yesterday. Trump failed to win once again.

Trump has been nominated for the Peace Award the past 3 years or more. No big deal. Anyone can be nominated. Only requirement is the nominator must be a person of prominence.

I assume Trump is grossly disappointed today. Will he claim the Nobel election was rigged? He has experience at that sort of thing.

An overflowing of sympathy for Krysten Sinema. Whether friend or foe, many are upset a woman followed her into a ladies rest room to admonish and question her.

I think the sympathy coming her way is miss directed. Sinema is a woman who avoids questions and persons asking them. If she answers, her response is a flippant one.

The woman who followed her into the ladies room was a former Sinema election supporter. She wanted to know why Sinema was not conducting herself per her campaign promises.

Sinema’s male cohort in certain respects is Joe Manchin. A wannabe. Eleven years in the Senate. Who heard of him till this year? He has become daily front page news.

Manchin keeps breaking with Democratic Party leaders on almost every issue of importance. The news this morning is he broke with party leaders over strategy re the debt ceiling issue.

He has become “Mr. Negative.”

It is time the Democratic Party starts giving Manchin that which he gives the Party. He wants to be the opposition, let the Democrats be the opposition to everything he supports. He’ll come around. He won his last election by the narrowest margin ever.

Manchin also mentioned yesterday his continued opposition to anything over $1.5 trillion re the social infrastructure bill.

Manchin raised an additional opposition measure yesterday. Out of the blue, he said the social infrastructure package must include a prohibition forbidding the use of federal funds for abortion. He said, “The Hyde Amendment is a red line.”

The New York Times ran an interesting Opinion piece yesterday by guest writer Donald Ayer: The Supreme Court Has Gone Off the Rails. I agree.

I have been researching the issue and will be sharing some specifics in a few days.

October is Italian American Heritage Month. Italian American heritage is part of the Growing Up Italian book I keep revising.

I have visited the Vatican several times. And still have not seen all there is to see. One of the things visible at all times at the Vatican are the Swiss Guards. Majestic in their conduct and finery.

The COVID pandemic and vaccine mandating have affected the Swiss Guard.

Note thousands pass through the Vatican every day. The Swiss Guard is a small contingency. The Vatican mandated the Swiss Guard had to be vaccinated to retain their positions. Three refused. They are no longer part of he Swiss Guard.

The Vatican’s mandate required each Guard member to possess either a COVID-19 vaccination certificate or the results of a negative COVID test.

Big night tonight. My Tuesday Talk blog talk radio show and the wild card game between the Yankees and Red Sox.

Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou at 9. A quick moving half hour show. Provides me the opportunity to rant and rave.

Please join me. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou.

At 9:30, I shall rush to the TV to watch the balance of the wild card game.

Enjoy your day!

Misdeeds have a way of confronting us. Sometimes in unusual places.

In addition to playing Senator, Krysten Sinema teaches a college course in Arizona.

A video on Twitter sunday showed protesters at the school following Sinema into a ladies room. They had asked to talk with her. She told them: “Actually, I am heading out.”

Whether a call of nature or in an attempt to avoid the protesters, she walked into the ladies bathroom and then a stall.

One of the protesters was Blanca. Standing at the entrance to the bathroom, Blanca said to Sinema: “We need to hold you accountable to what you told us, what you promised us that you were going to pass when we knocked on doors for you. It’s not right.”

Words follow us. Especially promises. In this instance, Blanca felt Sinema’s promises made were not promises kept.

The U.S. Supreme Court opens its new term each year on the first monday in October. Today.

I ask…..What will the 6-3 conservative Court screw up this time?

Today is National Taco Day.

Though not referred to as such, Steve Thompson must be considered the Taco King of Key West. He made his fortune in tacos. Opened his first taco store in Key West in the early 1970’s. Followed by several others throughout Florida.

Happy Taco Day, Steve!

On October 3, 1995, O. J. Simpson was acquitted following a lengthy trial.

His defense team was composed of the legal greats of the time.

One was Johnnie Cochran. Pure brilliance!

In summation, Cochran uttered a famous line that is recognized even today: “If it doesn’t fit, you must acquit!” He uttered the line several times during summation. Even to trying the glove in question on his own hand.

A single black leather glove had been found at the scene of the crime. A similar black glove was found outside Simpson’s home. DNA revealed the one outside Simpson’s home contained the blood of Simpson’s wife, the man she was with, and Simpson himself.

When Simpson was arrested, he had a cut on his hand.

Simpson was required to put the glove on during the trail. Lo and behold, it did not fit. Not even close.

All of which led to…..”If it doesn’t fit, you must acquit!”

And acquitted Simpson was.

A popular theory is that though the glove was bloodied at the time of the crime and for a limited time thereafter, a lengthy time expired between finding the glove and the trial itself. The theory assumes the blood seeped into the fibers of the leather and caused the glove to shrink.

A New York Times article today by David Leonhardt contains an interesting observation. Titled: COVID IS IN RETREAT. The article observes new COVID cases in the U.S. have fallen by more than a third in the past month.

In spite of all the furor, vaccine mandates are getting results.

Not all who protested they would quit rather than take the vaccine, when push came to shove they changed their minds. Most of the vaccine holdouts got the shots proving they would rather receive the shots than lose their jobs.

Coronavirus has resulted in a new language term: Vaccine hesitancy.

I prefer football to baseball. Ergo, I watched the Tampa/New England game last night rather that the 2 baseball games. Brady looked good. Tampa won 19-17 in a well fought game from both sides.

Other than on the field, the game was a love fest. Brady was back! Everything kumbaya!

New York and Boston won last night’s baseball games. Their one “wild card” game tomorrow night. I probably will watch the end of it following my Tuesday Talk blog talk radio show.

Enjoy your day!

We all know Kyrsten Sinema is one of the U.S. Senators representing Arizona. A Democrat. Front page news re the social infrastructure. She and Joe Manchin birds of a feather in that regard.

Very few know the real Krysten Sinema. Today’s blog will hopefully expose the real Krysten Sinema.

She is her own person. Dances to her own tune. Definitely different from others.

Revealing a person is easy. Merely set personal beliefs and things accomplished. Outs a person’s true nature.

She voted against the $15 minimum wage. Strange for a person who grew up living in a gas station. She refuses to eliminate the filibuster.

The sense is she is trying to be a maverick. In the John McCain style.

She is against any tax increase on corporations and the wealthy,

There is a definite backlash developing against her in Arizona. Many Arizonians who voted for her are now sorry they did. They feel she does not care for them. She is lucky she does not have to run again till 2024.

Most of her fundraisers are at the behest of and sponsored by business lobbying groups.

New York Times opinion writer Maureen Dowd wrote about Sinema in a 10/2/21 piece. Titled: Sinema Stars In Her Own Film. An article from which I shall be picking.

Dowd begins the Opinion with comments about both Sinema and Joe Manchin: “We have gotten ourselves in a perverse situation where Sinema and Manchin rule the world.”

“As Hemingway wondered in The Snows of Kilimanjaro, what are those leopards doing at this altitude?”

“Democrats were incited at Sinema – again on Friday” when she flew back to Phoenix in the middle of nail biting negotiations on the scope of Biden’s social policy bill.” Sinema’s excuse was she had a doctor’s appointment concerning her ailing foot. She failed to note she also had a fundraiser in the evening at a fancy Phoenix resort.

Dowd adds insight to some of Sinema’s proclivities.

The woman is an athlete. Nicknamed the “Ironman Triathlete.”

Sinema openly describes herself as “bisexual.”

She claims no religion. She was sworn in as a Senator on the Constitution, not a Bible.

Dowd views Sinema as a Republican in Democratic clothing.

Sinema frequently is injured because of her athletic endeavors. Dowd describes her in those situations: She “limps through the Senate like a silent film star.” One top Democrat described her as ‘The Greta Garbo of Congress.”

Dowd writes Sinema is not shy about drawing the spotlight  “swathed in fur stoles, bedecked in pink, purple and mint colored wigs, bedazzled in glittering stilettos.”

It gets better.

On one occasion, she presided over the Senate in a pink sweater reading “Dangerous Creature.”

She put a picture of herself on Instagram following her “defiant thumbs down” over the $15 minimum wage, “sporting a hot pink newsboy cap, matching oversized glasses and a ring that exposed the statement ‘Kiss Off,’ but jn a more vulgar way.”

Sinema “dyes the front of her hair purple or whatever.”

Dowd reports Sinema grew up in a “gas station.”

Dowd raises the question whether Sinema is “simply being opportunistic?”

Dowd observes Sinema “fights for corporate power and lower taxes for the wealthy and getting more money for pharma,” but does not say it. Her actions reveal it, however.

In her closing paragraph, Dowd succinctly spells out what is at stake in the U.S. and implies Sinema does not understand: “Americans are hurting, and everything is on the line.”

Enjoy your Sunday!

Brief mention was made this morning of the one and only drive-in theater ever in the Key West area. It was on Stock Island and opened January 1, 1953. Now long closed.

Brought to mind my experience with drive-ins. They were a part of my life for a number of years.

I began going to drive-ins when I got my driver’s license. Seventeen years old. Oh, the joy it brought!

One went not for the movie. Rather to neck.

Then there came the time one was married and with children. Difficult for young parents to go out. So we took the children along. Yes, to the drive-in. They were dressed in their pajamas when we left the house.

Following some soda and pop corn, they were ready to sleep. Parents came prepared. Pillows and blankets on the back seat. We put the kids to bed.

Mom and dad did not neck. We could do that at home. It was good to get out, however. We cuddled.

Cars were made for necking and cuddling in those days. The front seat was wide. Today’s front seat counsel was not part of the front seat.

Drive-ins are returning. Suddenly appearing across the country. The result of the COVID pandemic. Safe and secure. One article claimed correctly that drive-ins were “a safe way to escape from the realities of coronavirus.”

A bit of Key West.

On this day in 1953, Key West began a program to inoculate younger than 15 with gamma globulin to protect them from paralytic cancer.

Parents did not complain. They were happy to see their children protected.

How times have changed!

On this day in 1950, Tennessee Williams bought a house at the corner of Duncan and Leon Streets. The price $13,000. Today, somewhere in the area of $1 million. Subsequent owners have kept the property pristine pure.

The time was 71 years ago. Duncan was the last street in Key West in that area. Sprawling salt ponds in front. Williams said he bought the house because he always wanted to walk out his front door and see water.

No water to see today. Key West expanded that area. Blocks of homes now to the front of the Williams’ home.

Lisa lives 1 1/2 blocks from the William’s home on Duncan. When Williams bought his home, Lisa’s was part of the salt ponds.

Williams’ Duncan Street home was his residence for 34 years.

William Hackley’s entry for this day in 1856 contained what has been an ongoing complaint of his. The “new” sewing machine he bought several months earlier.

A “lemon.” He continues to have problems with it.

A week ago, he reported it was working ok. Today, on the bum again. The wheel is not working properly. He suspects the cotton might be too rough.

The Dairy Queen is one of the most popular places in Key West. It is located on United just below White Street.

Built in 1951. Still going strong 70 years later.

I used to go frequently when Robert and Ally were small. Now I go alone stopping in on a hot day for a small soft chocolate cone. I have to eat swiftly. Even in the cool of the air conditioned car, the ice cream melts rapidly.

Kenny Chesney performed in Key West last night at the Key West Theater. His live show simultaneously ran on Sirius XMO.

Chesney bought a lovely huge home on Caroline Street about 10 years ago. Did not stay long. Sold it after a short period of time. He was upset someone was checking his mail to see who was writing him, etc. The information then spread throughout Key West.

Chesney was inflamed at what he properly considered an invasion of his privacy and put the house up for sale.

Southern Florida is where stone crabs propagate and live. Their only residence world wide.

I love stone crabs! Consider them the finest of meals. If I were to be executed tomorrow and had my wish for a last meal, it would be stone crabs.

There is an annual Blessing of the Stone Crab Fleet. It is a southwest Florida tradition.

Takes place in Everglades City at the Rod and Gun Club.

The blessing is a tradition that began centuries ago in Mediterranean fishing communities. The purpose of the blessing to ensure a safe and bountiful season.

A festive family party day. Floral petals are strewn on docks along side the boats, a coconut guava cake contest, a frog jumping contest, food and live music.

Strange things happen. One occurred today.

I read Google News religiously every morning. One of the news items this morning was Trump had sued Twitter in a Florida federal court to compel Twitter to restart his account. He claims Twitter was “coerced” by members of Congress.

The facts are Trump was removed from Twitter in January based on Twitter’s belief Trump was “a risk of incitement to violence.”

The lawsuit has been referred by one person as a drunk shouting “let me back in the bar.”

Google News relied on two non-USA news sources. The Jerusalem Post and WION. The Jerusalem Post name speaks for itself. WION is India’s global news network.

Something was not right. Why didn’t Google reference any American sites? Were there any?

I checked. The usual American sources were all over the internet with the news. Strange that Google for whatever reason relied on The Jerusalem Post and WION.

Nothing wrong with it. A change, however. My curiosity is piqued. Why?

Arkansas Senator Krysten Sinema not a popular lady today. Not even in her home state Arizona.

Some interesting media comments re how she is viewed at the moment.

“She is the biggest radical in Congress.” “Corrupt.” “Scoundrel.” An obstructionist “sacrificing…..the future itself.” “Snake in the grass.”

Sinema and Joe Manchin have been heaped upon jointly. Joyce Behar of ABC’s The View: “They will be the ruination of this nation. Those two.” They “must be brought to task.” Democracy “is really on life support right now because of these two people.”

There are many dictators or wanna be dictators in power today. One is Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte. He announced his retirement from politics yesterday. The Philippine Constitution bars a second term.

He refuses to run as Vice President in effect as Putin did several years ago when he was confronted with a similar problem.

One thing he is correct about: “The overwhelming sentiment of the Filipinos is that I am not qualified.”

Speculation is his daughter will run for President.

Duterte is definitely unpopular. The primary reason his 5 year program of killing extra-judicially suspects in the “war on drugs.”

People like Trump and DeSantis should be proud. COVID deaths have topped 700,000.

Syracuse/Florida football this afternoon at 3:30. Can’t wait! Syracuse a 4.5 point underdog.

Enjoy your day!

A genius of a businessman. Henry Ford. It was on this day in 1908 he introduced the Model T automobile to the world.

A gigantic success.

Ford mass produced them. Produced them to sell cheaply. He had a vision. He saw a market for cars affordable to middle class Americans.

Success was his. Everyone’s, actually. Most people were now able to own their own cars.

Ford is credited with “Fordism.” The mass production of not only automobiles. The mass production of inexpensive goods coupled with high wages for his workers. Ford paid his employees well. They were his first customers. They could afford to buy the automobiles they helped produce.

“It ain’t over till it’s over!! Famous words of Yogi Berra. Later turned into a song made popular by Starship and Lenny Kravitz in 2014 and 2015 respectively.

The term applies to coronavirus also. Too many people are under the impression the worst is over. They walk the streets without masks. Engage in crowds without social distancing. Travel all over the U.S. and world.

Bad! The worse is not even close to being behind us.

This weekend in Key West the perfect example. The town will be jam packed. Few if any mask wearers. Crowding. Everyone placing themselves in a position of jeopardy. Many failing to have been vaccinated.

How many more must die or become seriously sick before they understand?

I am sick of Washington and the way it is handling these bills. Ergo, I will speak little of the problem today. We all know and understand what is happening.

I do have one observation to make, however: Joe Manchin is an asshole!

Came across an interesting article by Erin Blackmore in the Smithsonian Magazine – History: Five Women Veterans Who Deserve To Have Army Bases Named After Them.

The thrust of the article is the U.S. Army has 10 installations named after Confederate generals and zero named after women.

Last week, I mentioned I stopped by the Eaton Street Seafood Market. Enjoyed a large lobster roll. Maine lobster roll.

Someone commented he thought I was wrong re the Maine part. He believed the rolls were made with Florida lobster.

Bothered me. I have been eating Maine lobster all my life. Generally during vacations on the Jersey Shore, northern coast of Long Island, Block Island, Martha’s Vineyard and Cape Cod.

There is decidedly a taste difference between Maine and Florida lobsters. Not intending to be a snob, my preference is for Maine lobsters. Their taste unique.

I decided to check to see if I was wrong.

First the internet. Looked up the Eaton Market. Five different sites. Six mentions of the type of lobster served. Five Maine, one Florida.

Yesterday was a doctor visit. Stopped on the way home at Eaton for a lobster roll. A chalk blackboard in front of the door. “Maine Lobsters.” Asked the woman working inside. She said Maine lobsters. In fact, looked at me as if I had insulted her employer.

I am glad it was Maine lobsters I was consuming. Everything is changing in my life. Some things have to remain the same.

Enjoy your day!

I am sue you noticed there was no blog yesterday. A tuesday disaster.

I take 19 pills a day. I made it to 86 so far so they must be helping. I take the pills during the course of the day while on the computer. A case of bottled water nearby to assist.

I was opening a new bottle. The cap was hard to turn. Finally turned snapping my wrist. Came the deluge. My keyboard buried in water. Tried to clean and dry. Didn’t work. Sloan stopped by yesterday with a new one.

My notes for tuesday night’s Tuesday Talk show covered with water also. Ink turned into black water. Notes for the show gone 15 minutes before show time. Did the show of the top of my head.

I do not need the computer to do Tuesday Talk. Only a land line. Ergo, I was still able to get the show in.

Tragedies occur.

Travel + Leisure is one of America’s top travel magazine. Its recent edition listed the top 15 resorts and spas in Florida. Key West was home to three.

Number one was Sunset Key and Cottages. Number two Oceans Edge Resort and Marina. Number three Ocean Key Resort and Spa.

A big deal! All top notch.

E-bikes. I see them coming to Key West.

Tourists and locals alike are bike crazy here. Bicycles the reason Key West is #1 for bicycle deaths and injuries in Florida.

The bicycles are motorized. Electric power. Can enjoy the ride or peddle. Whatever is desired. Speed under 25 mph.

A hit already in major cities. Sales in the 12 month period ending in July up 240 percent. By next year, they will be all over Key West. I am not looking forward to it. Unless you have experienced it, you have no idea how dangerous it is to drive a car on a roadway covered with bicycle riders.

A bit of coronavirus.

Israel has been one of the world leaders in dealing with coronavirus. It will be announcing shortly that 4 shots will be required to be considered being “fully vaccinated.” Two booster shots rather than one.

Israelis will only be able “to engage in society” if their vaccine passports show 4 shots have been taken.

Israeli people not happy. Already protesting.

Pope Francis is generally on the right side of things. Vaccines, for example. He encourages vaccines, discourages religious exemptions.

On September 27-28, the Vatican held its Assembly Meeting of the Pontifical Academy of Life. The Academy deals with issues at the intersection of bioethics and moral theology. The Academy advocated for equitable distribution of vaccines and to combat vaccine skepticism.

YouTube announced it is going to ban any who claim “vaccines are infectious or dangerous.” Included is Robert Kennedy, Jr. who is a prominent vaccine opponent.

Does not surprise me Kennedy would be opposed to vaccines. He most times is on the wrong side of issues. Recall that it was recently announced he supported the parole of his father’s assassin Sirhan Sirhan.

His father he is not.

On this day in 1939, the Munich Pact was signed.

Prime Minister Chamberlain feared Germany was going to start a war. England mentally was still suffering from the huge number of young Englishmen it had lost in World War I.

Hitler did not invite Chamberlain to Munich. Chamberlain went uninvited. In fact, Hitler wondered what he wanted.

Chamberlain wanted peace, “peace at any cost.”

A one page document was signed. Hitler agreed not to begin a war. There was one condition. Czechoslovakia’s Sudetenland was to be given to Germany. It was so agreed.

Chamberlain returned to England. As he departed his plane in England, he waived a copy of the one page agreement and shouted, “Peace with honor, peace in our lifetime.”

History reflects he was wrong.

The surprising thing was Hitler’s recollection of the meeting. He had no thought of asking for the Sudetenland. It was actually Chamberlain’s idea. Chamberlain thought Hitler could be “bought off” by his suggestion. Hitler agreed to accept the Sudetenland. Why not, he said. Something for nothing.

Upon death, one’s remains are either buried or cremated. There is now a third way gaining in popularity. Cost the primary consideration. The new way is cheaper.

It is composting. Turning the body into a “sack of dirt.” The process takes 3 months.

The concept is promoted with the thought one’s body is still living in a sense. Composting renews life.

Composting is legal in Colorado and Washington. Expected to be legal soon in Oregon.

Eighty six year old Thomas Krob of Spring Grove, Illinois recently died. He refused to be vaccinated. His problem was not coronavirus. It was rabies.

He woke one night discovering a bat on his neck. He refused the set of 4 rabies shots. He died in one month.

It was discovered a colony of bats were living in his home.

Rabies deaths can be prevented if timely rabies vaccinations are given. Krob was anti-vaccine and paid the penalty many persons do who refuse to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

I am perplexed. When are Manchin and Sinew going to do what’s right?

Manchin may yet capitulate. Sinew perhaps never. She does not seem capable of seeing the light of day.

A newscaster last night described her as “bush league.” Her conduct suggesting she does not belong in the Senate.

I have the feeling she wants her constituents to view her as another John McCain. She is an Arizona Senator. His life experiences qualified him to act as he did. He had earned the right. She, not.

John McCain she is not.

The House Progressives are to be admired. Some 60 odd in number.

They are sick of having been ignored over the years. They are standing strong at this time and saying “no more.”

Good for them!

Today is National Coffee Day. Free coffee available at many coffee outlets. Dunkin’ Donuts and Starbucks being two. One requirement generally. Food or a bakery item must be purchased.

Enjoy your day!

The anchor around our necks is a compilation of Joe Manchin, Krysten Sinema, House Progressives, and Republicans.

Their attitudes…..Our way or the highway! If any fail to get what they want, they are prepared to tear the government down.

Joe Manchin thinks he is glorified. Knows everything. When actually knows little.

Manchin does not make sense. His tune changes daily as to what is important.

He represents West Virginia. Coal country. Understandable he wants to protect the coal industry. Not the reason he is anti-climate change however. The media continues to hide the fact that Manchin and his family own good portions of two West Virginia coal plants. Enersystems Inc. and Farmington Resources.

He is protecting his own economic base when he is anti-climate control.

Kyrsten Sinema is one of the U.S. Senators from Arizona.

She is cashing in on her opposition to the $3.5 trillion infrastructure bill. Today for example 5 lobbying groups, who have asked her to oppose the bill, are sponsoring a fundraiser for her.

The shame of it all. The lobbyists could not wait till after the social infrastructure failed. Sinema could have told them to wait. However, everyone involved including the Senator apparently wanted the nation to know whose side Sinema is on.

Sinema has additionally let it be known she is opposed to paying for the $3.5 trillion bill by increasing taxes on major corporations and the rich.

The Progressives, especially in the House,cannot be blamed for playing hardball. FDR was probably the last time progressives achieved anything significant.

Problem is the size of the bill. The Progressives assume this may be the last time for years when they will be able to get anything of significance. So they want it all! May not be the correct way. A bit here and there every year may continue to be the best way.

Republicans. Useless. A destructive force. A dying entity. Playing out their last hurrah.

Ford is to be complimented. Putting their monies on the line.

Ford announced yesterday that together with a South Korean supplier they will spend $11.4 billion on 3 plants to produce electric cars and 1 truck plant.

Eleven thousand jobs will be created.

Got to love New York’s new Governor Hochul. She spoke sunday before worshipers at the Christian Cultural Center in Brooklyn. She told the worshipers, “God wants you to get vaccinated.”

Pfizer’s CEO said “normal life” will not return without continued coronavirus vaccines. Shots will be required on an annual basis as is the flu shot.

Good friends David and Marilyn live in Kentucky. For many years, they owned a second home in Key West. They sold it a couple of years ago. They thought Key West was changing, etc. David told me they planned on becoming world travelers.

They have.

Received an e-mail from David this morning. He and Marilyn are leaving for Greece. Fly first to Athens for 3 days. Then onto a cruise ship for a trip through the Greek isles and other European ports.

I envy them! I miss Greece! Of course, I sent them an immediate response recommending some of my favorite Athens’ places to visit, dine, etc.

Enjoy, my friends!

I cheated for the second time yesterday on my new quarantine. Enjoyed a late lunch at Geiger Key with Tom and Fran Dixon.

They leave Key West today to return home to Buffalo. In two days, they fly to France to spend one week visiting the French wine country.

Ted Williams will forever be known as one of the greatest baseball players of all time.

This day in 1941 was one of the most significant in his baseball career.

It was the last day of the baseball season. A doubleheader. Williams made 8 trips to the plate. Got 6 hits. He ended the season with a .406 batting average. The first player since Bill Terry in 1930 to hit .400.

Williams was a fisherman. He purchased a home on Islamorada, the Fishing Capital of the World. Spent well over 20 years living there. Most in retirement.

He wrote he sold his home on Islamorada when he had to wait to cross U.S. 1. The town had become too busy for him.

Syracuse plays its first ACC game saturday against Florida State. Kick off 3:30.

Syracuse is 3-1, Florida State 0-4. Nevertheless, Florida State is favored by 4.5 points. Two of Florida State’s losses were against ACC teams, whereas Syracuse’s first ACC game will be against Florida State.

Tonight, I rant and rave. Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. Nine my time. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou.

Join me. The show is fast moving and interesting.

Enjoy your day!

Manchin is on a “trip.” Among other things, a mental case. He considers himself glows everything

This past weekend was some of the finest golf ever. The Ryder Cup.

The U.S. won big time 19-9. The most wins ever by either side.

The U.S. team an unusual composition. Young. Many in their twenties. Six “rookies.”

The win represents the beginning of a new era. One where the U.S. will dominate.

Today’s players are exceptional. Even on the European team. Much better skills than the likes of earlier greats such as Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer.

Several reasons why.

The clubs are better. Toned. All kind of advantages built into them. Makes it easier for today’s players to hit the ball farther and straighter.

Even the balls have been perfected. They fly easier and longer distances. Built to lessen hooks and slices.

The players true athletes. Most work out every day. Few have the physique of Jack Nicklaus for example. They have psychiatrists and psychologists to keep their heads on straight.

Next Ryder Cup Rome in 2 years. If I am in good health, I may go. It has been 35 years since I last visited Rome.

My recollection is I have attended two Ryder Cups. On was in Rochester, N.Y. I cannot recall where the other.

Exciting!

I was doing some legal work for NBC at the time. NBC was covering the event. They took care of all the arrangements for my son and I. Provided bus transportation from the hotel to the course. Free admission to the course. Access all day every day at the corporate tent. Nothing like having access to a corporate tent. Huge. Carpets covering the lawn floor. Living room easy chairs to sit on. Huge TV sets.

Food! Breakfast, lunch and dinner. The best! All kinds of alcohol available.

The corporate tents were free to all corporate guests.

Four days later came time to check out. No hotel bill. NBC had put us on their “guest list.”

What a way to go!

New York’s new governor Kathy Hochul tough!

New York employees who get fired for failing to obtain a “vaccine passport” will not be able to receive unemployment benefits. Her tune simple. Get vaccinated or end up on a bread line. Nothing wrong with her approach. The COVID pandemic must be gotten under control!

Hotel/motel businesses have various occupancies  during the year. The business are very competitive. Not as competitive however as it was back in 1955.

On September 27, 1955, Key West motel prices reached a “new high.” Eight motels posted signs offering free rooms to tourists.

Trump never gives up. He turns lemons into lemonade, or at least tries to. He will go to his grave insisting he won Arizona.

The Maricopa audit results were announced last week. No cheating. Audit even revealing Biden won by an additional 300 plus votes.

Trump spoke at a rally in Georgia saturday. He discussed the Arizona audit result. He claimed the result did not embarrass him. In fact, he claimed it showed he won Arizona.

His people cheered him!

Trump went on to claim 57,000 ballots were at issue. Also an additional 17,000 ballots were duplicates.

No truth in his representations. No reference by him to specifics in the audit report to support his statements.

Referring to the audit and Biden, Trump stated, “No way this putz won the election.”

The first time a train carried passengers. An historical event. Referred to at the time as a “train ride on a public highway.”

The event occurred on September 27, 1825 in the northeast part of England. The engine was called “Locomotion Number 1.”

The man who designed the train was George Stephenson. He was in total control. He also was an engineer and acted as a railroad engineer/operator on that day.

The railroad was the Stockton and and Darlington Railway.

The first passenger train ever. All England excited.

The train carried its usual cargo, plus the passengers. Coal and flour the products usually carried. Generally in sacks. Railroad cars were called “wagons” in those days. Thirty six wagons carrying sacks of coal and flour made up a part of the train.

A special passenger coach was constructed for the planned trip. It resembled a “shed” on wheels and was occupied by various dignitaries.

There were additional passengers. Some stood in open coal wagons. Some in the coal wagons enjoyed the “luxury” of temporary wooden benches. Other passengers traveled sitting on top of wagons full of coal.

The trip plan limited its human load to 300 passengers. The train ended up carrying 450-600.

Note again the first time a train was considered a passenger one also.

The train traveled at 8 mph. Stephenson was the engineer driving the train. The train was proceeding down a slope. Stephenson opened the throttle. The speed increased to 15 mph.

The “speed” unnerved one passenger. He fell and his foot was crushed by the following wagon.

So it was.

Enjoy your day!

Reasons for not being vaccinated multiply.

USA Today this morning published the latest “revelation.” Considered by some to be Biblicaly derived. The article titled: Some Say The  COVID-19 Vaccine Is The Mark Of The Beast.

Mark of the beast is the newest excuse for refusing vaccination. Whether correct uncertain. However the number of persons relying on the beast excuse to refuse the vaccine is increasing.

Their belief is based on the New Testament’s Book of Revelation 13:16-18. It mentions the “mark of the beast.” The mark reflects an allegiance to Satan.

Those who believe the beast theory reject its scientific base. They claim it is based on “values and morals.” Such as found in the Bible.

“Mark of the beast is an apocalyptic biblical term…..the apostle John speaks of an apocalyptic pair of beasts who will rule the earth with cruelty.” Their evil reach – which can be interpreted as hidden manipulation – will require all people who require the transaction of commerce to wear the mark of the beast. The apostle John did not identify what the mark would look like, although some theologians translate scripture to reference the number “666” to be associated with it.

“The mark will be on the right hand or in their foreheads.” Without it, “no man might buy or sell.”

There has been no finding that the mark and vaccine are similar in appearance, however.

Rather those who believe suggest “the vaccine represents a conspiracy of governmental control or that the vaccine contains some sort of marking agent to indelibly identify those foolish enough to receive the vaccine.”

Trump tapped into the lack of trust in the government and the medical field. Reached through a belief in American populism which comes with a disbelief in experts.

Certain top Republicans believe vaccines are “the mark of the beast” and “comparable to a false god.”

People with spiritual beliefs who believe that “all things are influenced by religion are more likely to believe mark of the beast which is in every Christian bible.”

Many Christians have arrived at the belief that “the world is in the time the Bible calls ‘the last days.'” When speaking of “the last days,” the Bible speaks of someone identified as the Antichrist and he would require people have a mark…..to buy and sell.”

Wild so far. And to think anyone would believe such garbage.

The USA Today article says, “The COVID-19 vaccine – or any vaccines – have nothing to do with any of this.

There are those who believe per Revelation 14 that the mark will be a pledge of loyalty to the Antichrist and no one will take the mark unknowingly.

Though Revelation 14 talks of “doom,” many believe God “will not doom people for taking something unwittingly.”

Unreliable information is being spread both ways. Primarily via social media.

People are increasingly coming to the conclusion that the “mark of the beast” is a reason not to get vaccinated. Who wants to be seen supporting the Antichrist?

Those who support the mark of the beast theory will be from the religious right. Evangelicals and Protestants. Those generally wrong in their twisted religious beliefs.

A closing observation. Certain religious persons are desperate for a reason to reject the vaccine. They end up in court relying on whatever as the basis for a violation of their freedom of religion rights. The courts have bent over backwards to uphold claims for a religious exemption. From my perspective, judges readily move to accept the religious claim.

The mark of the beast will find its way into a courtroom in the next year. A tough theory to handle/understand. No judge however is going to rule against people who who are opposed to being marked as followers of the Antichrist.

A couple of weeks ago, the religious exemption claim was that the Bible tells us man was made in God’s image. If so, the wearing of a face mask blocks the viewing of God’s face. No one should block God’s face.

I am still waiting the court’s decision on that one.

Southern states like to march in a similar line, to dance to the same tune.

The Texas abortion law that bans an abortion once a heart beat can be detected, is on its way to becoming law in Florida I fear. A bill has been introduced similar in nature to Texas’ new law. Governor DeSantis’ will sign the similar bill into law. Actually, I am sure he will. He continues to be on the wrong side of everything.

Hurricane Sam is a strange one. It reached Category 4 yesterday. At a time when it still was mid ocean and had not reached land as yet.

Winds 140 mph.

Sam is expected to turn northwest tomorrow and continue turning through wednesday.

Meteorologists have advised Sam will be no danger to Florida or the Caribbean.

Enjoy your day!

In the 15 years following the Civil War, African Americans grew politically and economically. By 1890, white America had become uncomfortable with the situation. Especially the southern states. Whites began eliminating blacks from their successes.

Whites moved against blacks in three areas.

One was disenfranchisement. Between 1890 and 1905, southern states passed laws designed specifically to prevent African Americans  from voting.

Jim Crow laws were passed in the same time period. Each southern state passed laws formally segregating public facilities. It was in the 1890’s that the famous “white” and “colored” signs appeared.

The third area was lynching. A campaign of lynching evolved simultaneously. Targeted were African Americans.

The Keys History section in yesterday’s Key West Citizen made note that on yesterday’s date in 1897, the black man Sylvannus Johnson was hung in Key West. Johnson’s story exemplifies how blacks were treated in his time. His hanging not specifically a lynching, was one for all practical purposes.

Johnson’s story.

He was hung on September 24, 1897. Following a purportedly “fair trial.” From a  gallows erected specifically for the purpose in Jackson Square between the courthouse and jail.

Johnson had been convicted of raping a white woman.

Was his trial fair? Make up your own mind.

In the 1890’s, Key West was a growing hot bed of anti-black sentiment. Even after Johnson’s execution, the animosity continued growing into the 1920’s.

A Ku Klux Klan was established in Key West in the 1920’s. In opposition and fear to the growing political organizing which was taking place in the black community.

Key West was part and parcel of the Florida Ku Klux Klan. Influential. In the 1920’s, local Key West businessman Charles H. Ketchum was the Grand Dragon for the State of Florida. He ran the Klan during his term in office from his Key West home.

Back to Johnson’s court proceedings.

During his arraignment, the local labor leader C.B. Pendelton, a white, rose and exclaimed: “Are there enough white men in this room who will help me in lynching the brute?”

A group of blacks in the court room rushed to defend Johnson and temporarily foiled Pendleton’s plan.

A Times-Union reporter was present. Apparently anti-black also. He wrote, “Your correspondent would not be surprised to learn in the morning that the brute had met his deserts during the night.”

A group of African Americans surrounded the jail and courthouse to prevent Johnson from being lynched.

The Times-Union reporter wrote, “If a lynching is attempted trouble will follow, as there are not enough whites here at present to protect against the tough negro element that is present making the trouble.”

The Monroe County Sheriff wired Governor Bloxhan for help: “Negroes greatly outraged and threats to beat and kill whites openly made.” White officials believed the affair to be an “insurrection.”

The Governor misunderstood and panicked. He wired President McKinley to send U.S. troops.

The confrontation did not reach that point.

As soon as Key West authorities demonstrated a willingness to guard Johnson, African-Americans withdrew their armed guard.

The blacks had won the day. It ended however with the protection issue. The courtroom was another story. A fair trial could not be and was not ensured.

The all white jury took 1 hour 45 minutes to convict Johnson.

Johnson’s court appointed attorney was not permitted to cross examine witnesses.

Upon the jury’s announcement of his conviction, Johnson rose and exclaimed: “If God was black and came before this jury you would find him guilty. You may hang my black body, but you cannot harm my innocent soul.”

Today Key West is “one human family.” The statement generated for the gay community. It applies to the African American community as well, though perhaps to a lesser degree.

The concern today is not Key West and its black population. Rather it is what is occurring nationally. The vermin came out of the woodwork with Trump’s election. Demonstrators/insurrectionists include the Ku Klux Klan, Neo-Nazis and White Nationalists, among others of similar strain.

The discrimination war continues. Whites recognize people of color are on the threshold of being the majority in this country. A time when people of color will be in control of government.

Whites, especially southern ones, fear the day. They should. What goes around does come around. No question about it. A day of reckoning is coming.

Enjoy your day!