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!

Great day today! What could be better? The Ryder Cup by day and Syracuse football in the evening.

It is 11:30 and I am just beginning to write the blog. Started at 6 this morning with the research. Have been running back and forth from the office to the TV. Hopefully the blog will go smoothly and I can soon return to the TV full time.

Another hurricane on the way. Sam. Purported to be a big one. Already a category 3 and only in mid Atlantic. Expected to be a 4 when it hits land. No certainty yet where “land” will be. Maybe Florida, maybe not. All land points remain open.

Whatever, a biggie. Sounds dangerous.

Great people these Taliban. They live by the Quran and die by the Quran. Properly so. It is their religion.

The Taliban announced they will begin carrying out executions and amputations of hands. Must be permissible in the Quran. However, the Taliban advised the executions and amputations will no longer be public. I assume, though I might not be correct, the Quran does not spell out a place for execution.

I cheated on my quarantine last night.

Tom and Fran Dixon are back in town. Travelers they are. Fear not caronavirus. They leave Key West to return to Buffalo tuesday. Leave for France for a week friday.

Love their company. We have been friends 15 years. Met in Key West that long ago. They live in Buffalo. Visit Key West frequently. Tom owns a small piece of the Ocean Key House.

We met at the Chart Room. I told them the time I would arrive. My marching orders were they should be done drinking and have paid the bill. I wanted to spend no time in the Chart Room. My beloved Chart Room scares me during the pandemic. It is small and when packed there has to be a lot of virus jumping around.

I walked in and they were ready to walk out.

We ate on the Pier House Deck. Another of my requirements. We had to eat outside. The food was wonderful. The company excellent. We had a great time.

They have to be good friends to put up with me.

The Maricopa County audit is complete. No improprieties found. Biden even garnered 300 plus additional votes in the audit.

It was announced that a new audit has begun. In Texas. Strange. My recollection is Trump won Texas by 5.5 percent of the vote. Though it was the closest Presidential race in decades.

The Texas audit initially will be of 4 counties. Two Republican and two Democratic. Guess the goal is to try to show cheating in the Democratic counties.

The new audit as stupid as the Maricopa County one was. Waste of time and money.

Apparently Trump imposed on Governor Abbott to have the Texas audit initiated.

I cannot understand how Republicans stand loyal to Trump. Republicans have always supposedly been the smarter of the two political parties.

A recent poll indicated 78 percent of Republicans believe Biden lost and Trump won. The poll was done by CNN/SSRS.

I close with a couple of coronavirus items.

The CDC Advisory Board announced yesterday that persons over 65 and those in long term care facilities will be the first to receive booster shots. Pfizer so far approved. Moderna approval expected in the next 2 weeks.

Pfizer booster shots will be available beginning next friday.

Trump continues to run the Republican Party. His craziness continues to warp the Republican Party. Pennsylvania another new state for audit, investigation…..whatever it will develop into.

The Pennsylvania Senate is leading the probe. They have issued or are in the process of issuing 9 million subpoenas. The subpoenas are to all Pennsylvania voters. Require the voters to provide specific personal information. Most or all of which is not of the Senate’s business.

A lawsuit already commenced by the Democratic Pennsylvania Attorney General claiming the subpoenas not legal in any fashion.

This “crap” has to stop! The courts are the only place these oddball improper activities by Trump or his henchmen can be halted. When an entity such as a State Senate does something like the subpoena thing in makes people wonder if Trump might not be correct in asserting the election was rigged.

Enjoy your day!

Recognition of a job well done is always welcome. Especially to the young on the verge of college and preparation for lifetime careers

Grandson Robert, 12 other of his class mates, and production teacher Ed Smith are deserving of acclaim for a recent recognition. One which installs pride in everyone concerned. And I must admit, special pride in Papa for grandson Robert’s part in what has recently been announced.

The Key West High School provides as part of its curriculum broadcasting and film making. The school operates Conch 5 Studios as part of the program.

Key West High School has been advised of its selection for participation in the world’s largest high school film festival. Nine films and the 13 students who produced the videos. Robert is one of the students.

The event is the All-American High School Film Festival. It will be held in New York City October 8-10. The 13 students will be in New York and a part of the event. The films will be screened, judged and narrowed to a few finalists.

The event and Key West High School’s designation a big deal. A very big deal. Production teacher Ed Smith said, “I was shocked, proud and blown away as a teacher.”

The high school was last selected for the program in 2017.

The 9 submissions cover categories ranging from short films to action sport videos.

The Festival’s “official selection” is one of the highest honors a high school video production team can earn. There is a recognition award one step higher. Becoming a Festival finalist. A small selection of the films are honored as being the “best of the best” in each category.

The New York City screenings also provide students with the opportunity to network, college recruiting opportunities, and a chance for students to earn some scholarship money.

The competition is a David and Goliath one as far as Key West High School is concerned. There are many schools who might be described as affluent. Which translates into up to date equipment.

Not the case with Key West, however. Key West’s most recently acquired equipment dates back to 2017. Some even before.

Not a problem for the Key West team. Heart, hard work and dedication make up for those years and the aged equipment.

Specifically as to the trip, fundraising the first step. Money is needed to send the the 13 to New York City, hotel, feed them, etc. The recognition and festival not part of the high school’s budget. So please dig deep and provide some help.

Donations are being gladly accepted. Contact Ed Smith at edward.smith@keysstudents.net for information.

Students are working at financing the trip. A car wash and outdoor movie event.

Both will be held at the Key West High School Backyard.

My cup runneth over when it comes to the pride Robert provides me.

Robert came into the world with a bit of difficulty. He was born with cancer of the liver. Within the first 8 days of his life, he had two major surgeries at Miami Children’s Hospital. He was followed for a number of years thereafter.

Fortunately, he recovered and the problem is well behind him.

Personally, the best way to describe Robert is he is simply a good kid. His parents and sister are proud of him, as I am proud of him.

He did well as a student in Montessori. Now a senior in high school, he has continued to do well academically. His weighted index is 4.239. He is 30th in a class of 300.

Robert has been into tennis. Big time. Practiced almost every day for a number of years. His consistency worked out. He has been a member the Key West High School tennis team 4 years and All-County 2 years.

Robert’s eye was on college and playing at that level. A given.

Then he got into the broadcasting and filming courses at the high school. He is gung ho about the programs and plans on continuing their study at the college level. I suspect tennis may take a back seat.

He has participated in several broadcast/filming competitions while in high school. Single or with a partner. Success has been his. He has been first, second or third in several.

I am obviously enamored with my grandson. The way I look at it, he payed his dues early in life. May he continue to succeed and may God provide him with a happy and long life.

Enjoy your day!

Jobs available for many today. Not taken. Many eligible for the American work force do not want to work. The American dream is no longer within their reach. Work, yes. Deeper in debt, yes. Making it almost impossible to get ahead.

The American dream is now reserved for the wealthy. Those already wealthy. The economy only works for those already in the top ten percent.

Many have come to believe there is no longer a reward for hard work. No sense to developing a good employment track record to push one up the ladder of success. The ticket to the middle class no longer being available.

Work is viewed as a dead end. The house, car, family, college educations, etc. merely a dream. Costs rising faster than income.

Some believe a theory I cannot subscribe to: Stress of overwork breaks down physical and mental health. I am from the old school. Hard work never hurt anyone. Success is the reward of hard work. Those who believe this not working bullshit for the reasons set forth are on the wrong track. Perhaps even lazy.

Three polls taken last week indicate fewer than one third of Americans want to see Rose v. Wade overturned.

A dear friend died monday. Sherwood Boehlert. He was 85.

Sherry was my Congressman for 24 years. Always available to help. A telephone call away.

Sherry was a moderate Republican. He became a leader of the moderate wing in Congress when his party was in power. He became Chairman of one of the more powerful Committees.

I have not seen him in years. When he retired from Congress, he moved to Washington, D.C. I retired and moved to Key West.

Sherry was not typical of today’s Congressional Republican. Far from it. There should be more on both sides of aisle today like him.

May he rest in peace.

Confucius say: “The strength of a nation derives from the integrity of the home.” Which indicates to me parental guidance in recent years not what it used to be.

Anti-vaccine persons exist world wide. Stupidity seems to permeate society everywhere. Insurgency, also.

Australia for example.

Constriction workers are required to be vaccinated. If not, they cannot work.

Monday a violent protest occurred in front of a union headquarters in Melbourne. Harsh.

The cries of the protesters were “Freedom” and “Fuck the job!”

One oddity. Those protesting were not union members. They were “far right extremists…..heavily infiltrated by neo-Nazis and other right wing extremist groups.”

It’s the same all over!

Karl Bohank has been a meteorologist for 33 years. He was Michigan’s WLUC-TV weather man.

His broadcasting company mandated all employees had to be vaccinated. He refused and quit.

Bohank said, “Personal freedom should be paramount…..We are being bludgeoned with fear…..in an effort to control us.”

He quoted Thomas Jefferson from the Declaration of Independence: “When tyranny becomes law, resistance becomes duty.”

Everyone has a right to think as they wish. They must however be prepared to suffer the consequences. As Bohank was. What I can’t understand is how an apparently well educated man could neither see nor understand the value of the vaccine to himself and the rest of his community.

Children are being placed in jeopardy by parents who do not believe in the vaccine or mask wearing. Parents placing their children in danger’s path.

A newly instituted lawsuit in Federal Court in Albany, New York, exemplifies the stupidity of parents merely as to the mask wearing requirement. Nine children and five parents are named as plaintiffs in the suit.

The purpose of the suit is to lift a mask wearing mandate from school children.

The basis of their claim is mandated mask wearing violates children’s first amendment rights, and causes them physical, psychological and sociological harm.

Quoting from the Complaint follows.

“The masks have made the children sick, stunted their intellectual and social growth and most importantly violated their freedom of speech and association.”

“While the virus may no longer be fatal to our health, it poses an existential danger to our liberty.”

“Our kids are suffering in these masks; they can’t breathe in these masks, they’re uncomfortable. Our kids have not seen a smile in school in over a year.”

Stupid parents. Forrest Gump comes into play again: “You can’t fix stupid.”

Enjoy your day!

My best selling book was Irma and Me. I liked the juxtaposition of the name. The subject and Louis.

The same here.

Telephones have impacted my life. Actually, all our lives. Most are unaware what  telephone communication was way back when. Beginning for me before World War II.

Enjoy this brief recollection.

I was born in 1935.

In the late 1930’s and into the first part of the 1940’s, our phone was the corner grocer. No one had telephones, except business people. The grocer took calls for the block.

If a call came for my father, the grocer (his name was Frank) would go out on the street and shout….Tell John he has a call! Someone would transfer the message to my Dad or to another neighbor to relate.

Then we got our own telephone. A four party line. Meant four homes had the same line. If you picked up and heard talking, you hung up till the line was free.

We graduated to a two party line.

Then the time came when the only line was ours. We had a single party line. A private phone.

A big deal!

Cell phones did not make an appearance till my mid law practice years. They were big and cumbersome.

The phones got smaller. I recall the flip top.

I am absolutely amazed that my telephone today is in effect a computer. I can do everything with it.

Only took 86 years.

When I am gone, will anyone remember? People find it hard to fit yesterday into today.

Tonight my blog talk radio show. Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou.

Nine my time. A fast moving half hour. I recount my likes and dislikes of the previous week.

Join me. Guaranteed you will enjoy.

What is most interesting is all I need to do Tuesday Talk is a telephone. My land line telephone. You listen via the internet.

Enjoy your day!

What a country we live in! People don’t want to be inoculated with the vaccine. Ok, we’ll put it in their food.

Salads the dish of choice. Specifically, spinach and lettuce.

The National Science Foundation gave a $500,000 grant to the University of California-Riverside. Researchers have been charged with growing edible plants that carry the same medication as an mRNA vaccine.

Where there is a will, there is a way. Somehow before we are done, everyone will receive the vaccine.

The Ivermectin craze is hurting horse owners. Shelves in feed stores are bare. The farmers have an insufficient supply of the deworming product. Their horses are suffering.

An anonymous commenter brought to my attention the story of Dusty and Tristan Graham, also known as the Alabama Pickers.

The story so interesting it prompted me to research the issue of COVID deaths further. There is a website specifically limited to those who were anti-vaccine, refused to be inoculated, and died.

Oh, so many.

The site is sorryantivazzer.com. The post again is dedicated to those who publicly opposed the COVID vaccination and subsequently died from the disease.

Dusty and Tristan Graham refused to receive the shots. Their work took them all over Alabama. They posted a video on their YouTube channel to such effect.  The video confirmed they would never get vaccinated: “We are ALIVE and still Reselling on eBay.”

A few days after the posting, they both came down with the virus and were hospitalized. They died within 3 weeks of each other.

Before becoming afflicted they wrote, the vaccine is “technically not a vaccine.”

We all mourn any person’s death. Those who invite death by failing to get the shots invite their demise. My commenter properly wrote, “COVID is fixing stupid every day.”

The biggest hospital system in Indiana is Indiana University Health. The hospital system has 36,000 employees. The hospital instituted a vaccine mandate. One hundred twenty five refused and left their employment. A small number compared to the overall 36,000 employees. Most of the 125 were part time employees.

I share the Indiana hospital’s numbers for a specific reason. Most if not all similar situations I have read about had a larger number of staff departing. In this case, an insignificant number. Why this Indiana hospital and few if other institutions?

I close with a Donald Trump comment.

This past weekend, the “Justice for the J6” rally was scheduled at the Capitol. Projection was only 700 would show. In the end, 200 did. The media suggests the low number indicates Trump’s popularity is waning. I am not sure, though I would hope so.

Trump commented prior to the rally: “My heart is with those standing with the rioters.” He added at another point in the comment: The January 6 protest concerned “the rigged Presidential election.”

He will never give up!

Enjoy your day!

Turns out Sunday morning a busy one. Too many things on my plate. Would not be ale to do justice to blog so will not do.

Enjoy your Sunday!

My sympathies are with the residents of Santa Clara Condominiums. What has befallen them is humorous, ridiculous and sad.

Santa Clara is a 111 unit condominium building. The City of Key West recently found it deficient and worn out in many respects. In need of significant repairs. The City has warned if steps not soon taken to correct the problems, it will condemn the building.

The condominium owners each face an increase in their monthly assessments to make a pool from which to pay for the repairs. The increase will begin November 1. The amount anywhere from $7,000 to $11,000 per month.

If condo owners are without funds, they will have to borrow the increases.

I doubt any of those living at Santa Clara can afford that kind of money. Reasons not warranted. The money and conditions in Key West cannot stand a hit of this magnitude.

Santa Clara condo owners are not sufficiently independently wealthy to handle such sums. Were they, they would not be residing in Santa Clara. They would be living in Truman Annex, the Casa Marina area, and perhaps even Sunset Key.

I hurt for them.

Rents in Key West keep rising. As if there were no limits. Which is the problem. There are not. Landlords are not bound by limits or caps.

Rents skyrocketing. In a market where too few apartments have been built and affordable housing is scarce. Houses rather than apartments are being constructed. Such is the market today in what many describe as the Keys “housing boom.”

South Florida overall is becoming the nation’s worst place to rent.

I do not have the Key West numbers. However I share with you what I was able to find. Since the first of the year, Palm Beach rentals have risen 21 percent, Fort Lauderdale 16.1 percent, and Miami 11.6 percent.

Wages obviously have not kept track with the increases.

It is well established that “landlords will do whatever they want because they know that people need a place to live.”

The situation is “getting worse.”

Florida laws protect landlords, not tenants. Landlords have broad discretion  to raise rents as they see fit.

Florida laws prevent local governments from establishing rental price controls. With one exception: Unless there is “a housing emergency so grave as to constitutes a severe menace to the general public.” The “crisis” must first be determined to be factual. Then an election is required to get an ordinate passed for any rent control to come into play. A step worse. The election is a yearly one. A new vote each year to keep the program going.

Florida is fraught with all kinds of problems. Healthcare another, for example. South Florida is #1 in healthcare fraud nationally. Rip offs costing Medicare and insurance companies billions of dollars a year.

The new healthcare field of telemedicine leads. Closely followed by substance abuse and COVID-19 programs.

The numbers tell the story. South Florida accounts for 20 percent of healthcare fraud nationally. Such having assisted in making Florida referred to in the medical field as the “healthcare fraud capital of the world.”

Recent 9/11 observances brought to mind a conversation a month later. I was having dinner at the Yacht Club. Terri and Donna were my guests.

Part of our conversation involved 9/11.

Terri never ceases to amaze me. She told us she lived near the 9/11 area at the time. Her neighborhood was affected for months. Grocery and drug stores were non-existent in the neighborhood after the tragedy. Many elderly resided in the area.

Terri organized with the police a system for getting food and drugs to those in need. She spent 2 1/2 months doing it. She received a plaque and commendation afterwards for her efforts.

An unusual experience yesterday. I lunched at the Eaton Street Fish Market.

I was required to be out for a doctor’s visit. Figured I would grab a bite while out. The Eaton Street Fish Market has been around for about 10 years. An excellent reputation. Especially for lobster rolls. Maine lobster rolls.

I figured why not? It’s about time I tried the place. I love Maine lobster rolls.

The Market is in a former gas station. Well done inside and out. Seating outside in shady areas.

I bought the large lobster roll. $30. Worth every penny!

Try the place. I plan on going back. It was that good.

Enjoy your day!

Something is happening. Nothing getting better. Coronavirus seems to be winning.

As with many states, Idaho has been compelled to expand health care rationing. COVID-19 is straining Idaho’s hospital system.

It was announced yesterday Idaho is taking drastic steps because of the overwhelming impact the virus is having on its hospitals. Hospitals cannot handle the deluge of cases.

The hospitals now have a new “standard of care.” ICU beds and other limited resources will go first to those likely to survive. Illnesses not limited to the virus. Includes any that might normally need ICU care. Heart attack victims, auto accidents injured, etc.

Reminds me of the scene in Sophie’s Choice where Jews came off teh railroad cars at a concentration There was an officer stting in front. Each person appeared before him. With a nod of his face, he decided which wee to go to the gas chambers and which to would live to work in factories. Health the determining factor.

Note that only 40 percent of Idaho’s people have been vaccinated.

Alaska and Montana have similar programs in effect.

Massachusetts’s problem at the moment because of COVID is school bus drivers. The National Guard has been activated to help.

Those school bus drives not vaccinated or who refuse to be vaccinated have been discharged. Left the school bus system with an insufficient number of drivers.

What next? Changes similar to those taking place in Idaho and Massachusetts will soon become dramatic statewide burdens if a significant number of employees continue refusing to be vaccinated.

The insanity of bucking vaccinations cannot be more clearly evidenced than by the number of States vowing to fight Biden’s vaccination mandate. Twenty seven Republican governors and attorney generals have vowed to fight the mandates.

The States are bucking Biden’s order that over 80 million private employees not vaccinated be vaccinated or receive weekly testing. Otherwise, their employers will be fined.

Governor DeSantis should be pleased. Florida’s COVID death numbers have now passed 50,000. The man is a grim reaper.

DeSantis refused to release certain death numbers several months ago, giving no explanation. Now he begins again what he should have continued doing. His good or bad track numbers something the public has a right to know.

For information purposes, Florida’s significant numbers for last week evidenced 2,448 deaths and over 100,000 new cases.

DeSantis could be Trump’s successor. Both demented and calloused.

One final item re Florida and the virus. It appears parents’ rights are more important than children’s lives.

Mention made in this morning’s Citizen that 2 of William Hackley’s children had teeth removed this day in 1856. Raised my curiosity as to whether false teeth in some form were available at the time so people could walk around without gaping holes in their mouths.

Turns out there was.

History reveals false teeth were first used by Etruscans in the 700 B.C.’s. The teeth were made from a combination of human and animal teeth.

Etruscans disappeared in the 700’s and with them false teeth. False teeth had to wait to the 1700’s A.D. to return.

Now to 1856 and Hackley’s daughters.

False teeth were available. Initially in the decade, false teeth made from human and animal ones were back in vogue. Then vulcinite. Hardened rubber was used as a bass for porcelain teeth.

Trump accused General Milley this week of treason. He who could be labeled one of the most treasonous persons in American history.

Key West is unquestionably unique. Dances to a different tune in just about everything.

Even scarecrows.

The Key West Botanical Garden has kicked off the annual “Scarecrow-Making” contest. All entries will be on display through November 30.

I visited the scarecrow contest once. Ingenious! Outstanding! Most put the scarecrow in The Wizard of Oz to shame.

It was announced this week that the Key West Airport for the first time had exceeded 1 million passengers. It is expected the number will top 1.4 million by the end of the year.

Nothing to be proud of.

The airport has been improved/expanded several times over the years. Existing problems corrected. The airport was also brought up to date re its needs.

Seemed each time like no one looked to the future. No one took into account expanding needs. Ergo, several times the airport has once again become too small to handle its volume of business.

It has happened again. The worst this time!

People sit on planes sometimes for an hour or more waiting to deplane. Passengers wait forever to receive their luggage. The receiving area is too small to handle the volume of luggage and passengers. People standing so close it has to be party time for the coronavirus bug. Poor planning as to arrivals. Sometimes as many as 4 planes arriving at the same time.

Whatever is to be done, let’s get it right this time guys!

Enjoy your day!