For a hurricane/tropical storm no one in Key West seems concerned about, it is getting a lot of play. This is day 3 for me titling the blog with Elsa.

Late yesterday afternoon, I noticed nothing was moving outside. Palm trees and other foliage dead still. No breeze..

The calm before the storm had arrived. A hurricane’s “serene” time.

This morning the same thing. Absolute calm.

There is always a calm before the storm.

It is projected Elsa will arrive this evening or early tomorrow morning. Will arrive as a tropical storm.

The question at the moment is how much of Elsa will arrive? Right over Key West? Or to the west and merely brush against Key West?

The cone has slowly been moving westward the last 3 days. Cuba is breaking up Elsa to an extent. The mountains of Cuba help.

Rain and wind the main concerns.Heavy rain. Wind in the 60 mph range. Supposedly will take 2 hours to pass over Key West.

One problem, however. Hurricanes are fickle. Change direction and velocity constantly. Many times do not in the final analysis travel where projected to go.

Something unusual with the reporting this year.

Hurricanes have been reported over the years by the use of cones and spaghetti models. I have always felt more comfortable with the spaghetti models. More accurate from my perspective.

With Elsa, we are being buried with cones rather than spaghetti models. A cone covers the width and length of the hurricane in one wide and long unit.

From my perspective, the cone is less reliable because it covers the wider track and is therefore lacking in accuracy. A cone can be anywhere from 150-300 miles wide.

The northwest is being destroyed by wildfires. Canada’s wildfires speak to the problem. Presently, 180 wildfires. All at the same time.

The heat wave obviously a cause. An intensive one. Another is lightening. Hard to believe, but Canada sustained 700,000 lightning strikes in the short time frame between June 30 and July 1.

The Keys make up Monroe County. Monroe County is on in years. It is probably one of the senior citizens of counties nationwide. Monroe County is 198 years old.

It is the sixth county of record in Florida. Established by act of the territorial legislature and signed by Governor William Duval July 4, 1823.

The Keys wedding business is back big time. The return has been swift and dramatic.

Wedding planners took a beating during the pandemic. Since the pandemic mellowed, business for some planners is up as much as 35 percent from pre-pandemic numbers.

As far as the pandemic is concerned, the world suddenly changed again. This time in its return to pre-pandemic normalcy. Just like that, the world is not same. Certain businesses, such as wedding planning, have swiftly gone from famine to feast.

Gasoline prices on the move again. In the wrong direction. Upwards. The prices are the highest in 7 years.

Seems not to be of concern to travelers this holiday weekend. They are happy to be able to get out and travel. It is expected that more than 91 percent of those traveling this July 4 weekend will do so by automobile.

It is thought that the Keys will not be affected by the rise. The reason being so many tourists have been traveling to Key West by automobile weeks before others in the country decided to do so. A slight increase is expected, but nothing locals will feel.

The sadness of Surfside.

The remaining portion of Champion Towers South stands no more. It was demolished last night between 10 pm and 3 am.

It had to come down at some point. Elsa accelerated the event. Elsa will hit the Miami area tomorrow. To leave the portion still standing could have resulted in further dangers to life and limb. The decision to bring it down was a wise one.

Donald Rumsfeld died last week at the age of 88. He was considered a skilled bureaucrat. I thought not. Whatever skills he might have had were shown to be wrong. Erroneously thought out.

Rumsfeld was Secretary of Defense during George W. Bush’s supposedly well planned Iraqi war. The one that began 3/20/03 and was considered a victory in a short period of time. A falsehood. The war kept running and running and running.

Rumsfeld time as Secretary of Defense that time ran from 2001-2006.

American soldiers were complaining. Certain machinery was not fit for service in a desert war. One item especially. The Humvee. Soldiers complained its undercover armor was not sufficient to protect against explosive items buried in Iraqi roads.

Soldiers in the fight were actually scavenging for metal to cover the bottom of their war vehicles. Parents at home were complaining to their Congressmen that their children were being killed or losing limbs because the Humvee for example was not designed for desert warfare. Unless the government did something to update them.

Rumsfeld was publicly questioned re the problem. His response was down right stupid: “You go to war with the army you have, not the army you might want or wish to have at a later time.”

One thing wrong in Rumsfeld’s response. The U.S. initiated the war. It had time to be sure all things were in order to protect American soldiers. It was not a sudden war as began with Pearl Harbor.

Simply stated, a country that plans a war should have all its ducks in order before initiating it.

Another consideration was the Iraqi War was ill conceived. It never should have been. Bush was ill advised by certain of his team. The team that made it sound like Iraq had the necessary to make a nuclear bomb, Iraq intended to start a war with the U.S., etc.

Enjoy your day!

Elsa, Elsa, give us your answer, do ? I’m half crazy waiting to hear from you.

True, sort of.

A strange storm on the way. Supposedly will hit Key West tomorrow night. At worst a category 1. Probably a tropical storm. Thundershowers, as well as winds 60 mph.

There is a “crazy” involved. No one seems to be paying nay attention it it, except for governmental officials. The State and Monroe County have designated Key West and other southern Florida areas as being in a State of Emergency.

The locals may have been around a bit too long. How many hurricanes were going to be disasters and then changed course or petered out as they approached. After a while, you become immune to the warnings. This appears to be one.

There are exceptions. We took Irma seriously, thank God.

During the past 2 days, I have not found one person who has prepared for Elsa. No special grocery shopping. No filling the bathtub with water. No flash lights purchased. Simply, no concern. Everyone thinking the same. Merely a tropical storm with lots of rain and wind for a few hours. Sixty miles per hour can be handled.

I must confess I did do one thing. Topped the gas tank yesterday. In the event I had to get out of Dodge. It would be too late, of course.

Key West is in the center of the cone. Brave souls, are we. It could move west and brush Key West. Or, and doubtfully, turn suddenly east and never hit any part of Florida.

Whatever, I hope a boat or helicopter does not have to come by and take me off the roof of my house.

Today, Independence Day. One of special joy hopefully to all Americans.

We celebrate our nationhood. Our birth. With fireworks, family reunions, concerts, barbecues, picnics, parades, and baseball games.

There is a question as whether July 4 is the correct date for the celebration. A drafting problem on July 2. Not everyone was happy with language involving slaves. A few Founding Fathers had not yet signed the Declaration.

Hamilton did the necessary paper change work. It is claimed every one who had yet to sign did so 2 days later on July 4. Thus such day becoming the celebration of the birth of the U.S.

However, historians believe the actual completion of signing was approximately one month later on August 2. How July 4 became the special day, I do not know.

Whatever the day, it is one worthy of celebration!

Our responsibility during present times is to make sure we keep what those fought so valiantly for in the 1770’s. Things are becoming very uncertain.

Trump has the tongue of a snake. If even the good Lord said something Donald disagreed with, Donald would attack the Almighty.

Trump spoke in Florida last night at an Independence Day celebration. He said at one point, “Biden is perhaps the most unpatriotic President in American history.”

I was concerned. Why? The statement did not make sense.

The reasoning behind it involved the Biden administration’s canceling of a planned fireworks celebration at Mount Rushmore in South Dakota due to concerns about transmission of COVID-19.

In the same speech, Trump advised his reason or excuse for the preparation of his and his company’s tax returns by using tax schemes. His attempt to lay the groundwork for a cloak of legality to his and his company’s tax returns.

Trump implied tax schemes were no big deal in avoiding the need to pay taxes on homes, cars, or school fees.

There is a rumor that Trump’s children may “flip” on him. Whether such is the case or Trump will flip on his children, there is a certainty. One will turn against the other. For a multitude of reasons. The only open question remaining at the moment is when?

The economy scored a biggie for June. The economy added 850,000 jobs.

The last time the economy grew at this rate was in 1984 under Reagan.

With the regard to the 850,000 new jobs, Biden said, “The sun is coming out.”

One of the first responders at the Surfside tragedy was a firefighter. He was searching for survivors when the body of his 7 year old daughter was found. What could be worse!

Florida Governor DeSantis announced yesterday that the half of the building still standing was coming down. Soon! A fear exists that Elsa will take it down. Ergo, the need for a planned demolition.

DeSantis said the building would be down by tomorrow night. He said professionals at the task were already laying the explosives.

The worst of the worse. A 10 year old boy in Shelby, Michigan has had 4 amputation surgeries. He has lost his 2 hands and left leg.

The boy came down with COVID-19. He recovered. Ten days later, he was diagnosed with MIS-C. MIS-C is Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome. Found only in children. Following recovery from COVID-19. Vaccinations have nothing to do with the disease.

There have been 80 MIS-C cases in Michigan thus far. The disease has something to do with blood clotting. First a COVID-19 recovery. Two weeks later a lack of energy. Followed by complaints of headaches. Finally, a high fever.

Citizens’ Voice carried a comment by a local yesterday: “Key West is overflowing as it is. Can you imagine our over-crowded downtown with a huge cruise ship vomiting its passengers?”

Enjoy your Fourth of July holiday!

Dangerous ladies. Irma and Elsa.

When Elsa first came to my attention, it was way out into the ocean. Last wednesday or thursday. Too early for the spaghetti straps. Not too early for a cone.

My first impression of the cone was it reminded me of the first time I saw Irma on the Weather Channel. Irma from the very first was always heading directly for Key West. Never deviated. Predicted as a Category 5.

I said, “Get your ass out of here, Louis!”

I drove for 3 days. Thrown out of 2 hotels because “a hurricane was coming.”

The first was a motel in Pompano. The cone showed Irma deviating west. No problem sleeping on the east coast.

So I thought.

Got a call early the next morning from the front desk: You have to leave, hurricane heading this way.

Where next? I had no particular destination. Drive till I was out of the range of Irma. I decided to drive north on the Florida Turnpike. Put me in the center of the state driving north. Went to Atlanta. Irma not predicted to go that far north.

Put into a Marriott downtown. Got the last accommodation. A suite for the price of a room. Like $135.

The suite was on the 27th floor. One wall all window. Thought if Irma comes, I am going to be blown out from the 27th floor. Terrific!

The next morning, I got a call from the front desk. You have to leave. The hurricane is coming.

Irma had changed course again. It was like she was following me.

Where was I going to go? Decided to try Jean Thornton in Birmingham, Alabama. A few days earlier, she had invited me to stay. I called Jean. There was a room at the inn. I was number 6 to call seeking shelter.

I made it to Birmingham with no difficulty.

Came September 10, 2017. Irma which was supposed to be a Category 5 deviated at the last moment. Went over Key West as a 1. Not for long, however. Sixteen miles north of Key West  is Cudjoe Key. It hit Cudjoe as a Category 4. Devastation beyond belief.

I stayed with Jean and Joe 10-12 days. No sense in returning home. No one was being allowed down U.S. 1 yet. Trees down, electric wires on the road, boats on the road, cars and homes in the water, parts of the highway gone.

Key West did not have power for several days. Meant no air conditioning. No place to get food. All stores closed. Gasoline a problem. Even cell phones wee not working. I did not know if my house survived.

Experiences consistent with a hurricane.

Needed gasoline. Initially no stations had gasoline. I was going to be stuck in Pompano when Irma hit.  Then on the outskirts, I found a small station with like 50 cars around it. No organization. Stick the nose of the car into the mess and hopefully move ahead.

Got to the pump. None of my cards worked. Did not make sense. I knew they were all good. Suddenly several big guys surrounded me demanding I move my car. I knew if I moved it, I would be in Pompano forever.

I went inside the station. The first card I put in the machine was good. The pump rejection was the way the station was doing business that day.

As I returned to my car, I was concerned the big guys had manually picked up my car and dumped it somewhere. I was driving a Volkswagen Beatle. Fortunately, the big guys were no where to be seen. My car had not been moved.

Urinating was a problem. Never had to wait in line before forever to go. I did at a large rest area on the Turnpike. Like a woman.

Waited in line for a half hour. The line moving at a snail’s pace. Finally said to myself, screw it! Went outside looking for tree area. They were all around. A small forest. Went into one area and did my thing. Smiled while I was so doing. I was not the only one. Many men and a few women. What is it called, invention is the mother of necessity?

My eyes were screwed up. I was not aware. I could not see signs in the day time till I was upon them. Night driving a disaster. Never saw a sign. Thank God my cell phone was on the travel guide and I paid attention to turn left, stay in right lane, etc.

I needed my eyes checked! Required new glasses! First thing I attended to when I returned.

I finally made it. I was the last to arrive. I had a lovely large room. A bath shared with another room. The accommodations terrific!

We did our own thing till 5. Cocktail time till 7. Then a terrific meal and wine. I don’t know how many cases we consumed.

The food was excellent. As in Key West, Jean has many friends in Birmingham. Someone cooked every day and brought whole meals to us for dinner consumption.

The partying continued till 3 in the morning. Every night. Even danced. Jean has a video of her and I jitterbugging. I had not jitterbugged since college.

Besides cars, boats and houses not being where they should have been, I noticed one other thing on the return to Key West. On U.S. 1. A large refrigerator lying side ways across 2 branches of a tree 20 feet in the air. Irma had to be one hell of a wind!

Now, Elsa.

I do not plan on leaving. Elsa will not be as bad as Irma. If it passes over or bounces on either side of Key West, it will be either a tropical storm or Category 1. Both can be handled.

Additionally, Elsa is moving fast. The Weather Bureau projects it will pass over the lower Keys in 2 hours.

I wrote a book when I returned: Irma and Me. Sold well initially. Four years later, 1-3 copies a month. It is available on Amazon. Actually, my blog. I continued doing the blog when I was away. Put it together and voila! A book!

So much for now.

Enjoy your day!

Kill filibuster or kill democracy. It’s one or the other.

Our government is failing. Wait too long to make the decisive move and it will be too late.

With the filibuster gone, certain things will unquestionably happen. Like police reform, voting rights, $15 minimum wage, and an infrastructure bill passed that will accomplish everything desired. And yes, will cost $4 trillion to $6 trillion.

Lets stop band aiding the country and do what is right.

Whether the Elks Club or a nation, most operate by majority vote. Our government at the present time does not.

One more than half. The requirement for a 60-50 majority ridiculous. As ridiculous as believing bipartisanship will occur.

Keep in mind, Biden can accomplish little of significance if the 60-50 vote continues. Sufficient legislation will not occur either.

The Republican Senate no longer seeks reform as its legislative goal. It is power it wants. And the Republicans seem to not to care how it is achieved. So far in the Biden era, the Senate is using the filibuster to obstruct the popular will. Biden’s will.

The filibuster permits minority rule. Our Founding Fathers were confronted with the problem when the Articles of Confederation were being drawn. Alexander Hamilton wrote, “To give a minority a negative upon the majority (which is always the case where more than a majority is requisite to a decision), is, in its tendency, to subject the sense of the majority to that of the lesser.”

Such the reason why Hamilton and his fellow Founders set up both Houses of Congress to work by simple majority.

It was when the Constitution was drafted that the door was opened to a filibuster. Inadvertent? Meant for another purpose?  Article 1, Section 5 holds that each Chamber could construct its own rules.

The opening to the filibuster was born. Legal! The minority could suppress the desires of the majority.

Used infrequently, the filibuster enjoyed a minimal life till the mid 1840s. Then it became the tool of both parties to be used, if so desired,  when its party was in the minority.

Some consider the filibuster a sacred cow. It is not. It has already been used 161 times.

Time to put philosophical leanings aside. The filibuster can be a danger to governance. We must be rid of it!

A majority vote in Senate would be required. There are 50 Democratic Senators. Add to it the Vice-President’s vote and the majority of 51 votes is reached.

Democrats John Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema must be made happy to vote in support of getting rid of the filibuster. Give each something that will make both happy. To Manchin, Virginia added onto West Virginia. To Sinema, New Mexico added onto Arizona.

I appreciate I am being facetious. Perhaps illegal in thought. However, the point I wish to make is something has to be done to satisfy both. It should be clear thus far that our government is not working. We can wait till Hell freezes over, and McConnell will remain adamant and not permit bipartisanship.

Another solution might be Democrats begin opposing Republicans in the same fashion as they fight the Democrats. Down and dirty.

Democrats are always reluctant to play government in the gutter on occasion. The Republicans never so. If such is what it takes to save the country, so be it.

Democrats, get dirty!

Enjoy your day!

It has “only just begun.” The beginning of the end.

It began at 6:20 this morning when Allen Weisselberg surrendered to authorities. He has been indicted, together with the Trump organization, by the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office. Tax charges. Specifically what will not be known till this afternoon at formal arraignment.

The Trump organization issued a statement: “Weisselberg is being used as a pawn in a scorched earth attempt to harm the former President.”

Trump has not been indicted as yet. Whether he will be at any time is questionable. The U.S. Department of Justice has shown zero interest in holding Trump accountable for any offense.

I question District Attorney Vance’s course of conduct. Cases have a beginning, middle and end. There is always a primary person of interest. In this case, Trump. The District Attorney opted to begin at the bottom of the ladder and work his way up.

His call. I would have gone for the jugular immediately. If he does not have enough now to indict Trump, he never will. Additionally, Vance has provided Trump the opportunity to say…..Look! I was not indicted! No charges! I am clean! He will.

Expect very soon Trump on a rampage again. He will verbally assault everyone.

The District Attorney’s Office might want a “gag order.” A “strict order” that no one may speak concerning the case. In would of course include Trump, his family, the prosecutors, defense counsel, and all witnesses. Criminal cases should be tried in the courtroom, not the media.

Such “gag orders” are not uncommon in major criminal cases.

Bill Cosby was released from jail yesterday. He had already served 3 years of a 3-10 year sentence.

His release had nothing to do with the sentence time frame.

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court overturned Cosby’s 2018 conviction for sexual assault.

There were 2 prosecutors involved in Cosby’s case. The first apparently left the office before the case was over. He had made an oral agreement to not prosecute Cosby. Cosby agreed to tell all and not assert his 5th Amendment right in the criminal case or any civil cases in return for the non prosecution.

Normally, non prosecutorial agreements are in writing. Not necessarily so as Cosby’s case reflects. Cosby waived a special right when he agreed not to assert the 5th Amendment.

Based on the District Attorney’s assurance of no prosecution, Cosby spilled the beans against himself. He told all. In effect, he convicted himself if there were to be a trail.

The second District Attorney felt there was no “agreement” since it was not in writing.

Cosby convicted himself, was found guilty, and sentenced.

Although Cosby did wrong with regard to the sexual charges, the second District Attorney did wrong in not respecting the non-prosecution agreement. Two wrongs do not make a right.

Cosby should never have been tried once the non prosecution agreement was accepted. He should not have spent 3 years in jail under the circumstances.

Elsa. The new Irma. The first tropical storm/hurricane that may hit the Keys. It is that time.

Elsa is still way out in the Atlantic. Would not reach the Keys till next week, if it did. Its specific path still uncertain.

A cone has been prepared. It shows Key West and the Keys right in the center of Elsa should it reach Florida.

Overnight Elsa turned into a tropical storm. One of the projections has Elsa hitting as a category 5. More similarity to Irma!

Elsa could also never hit the Keys. Could miss and go into the Gulf to the south or Alabama to the north.

Again, too early to know Elsa’s probable path with any certainty.

Priests should take care of man’s soul and leave other concerns to the politicians. Politicians generally refrain from getting involved in Catholic Church affairs. Priests have no reluctance. Especially the U.S. Conference of Bishops.

The present issue where the Church is sticking its nose into political/governmental affairs is whether the gasoline tax should be increased. As strange as politicians attempting to dictate to the Church the composition of the hosts used in Communion.

Jesuits are considered the smartest of all priests. They are the “intellectuals” in the Church. Father Thomas Reese is a Jesuit. He wrote in a recent National Catholic Reporter article that Democrats should support increasing the gasoline tax.

Father Reese wrote, “Democrats presently oppose Republican suggestions that the infrastructure bill should be partially funded by increasing the taxes on gasoline.” Father Reese added that his concept adds to how the infrastructure bill should be financed: “Tax the rich and corporations, and increase the gasoline tax.”

Why increase the gasoline tax? Father Reese explained: “The “federal gasoline excise tax is 18.4 cents per gallon, set in 1993. Today, it is only around 7 cents. Simply increasing the tax to account for inflation would bring the tax to 32 cents per gallon today.”

The preceding suggests a 25 cents rise per gallon in the gasoline tax. Actual out of pocket monies. Multiply the 25 cents times the number of gallons of gasoline you use to operate your car per week. An increase in the gasoline tax to the consumer any way you look at it.

Republicans would argue it is not a raise. Merely an adjustment to keep up with the rise in inflation. Still a raise, no matter how viewed.

Don’t forget tractor trailers hauling groceries to the Publixs of the country. They will be paying more for gas. Publix will be charged for the increase. Publix will add it to the cost of groceries consumers buy.

A no win situation again.

Me thinks Father Reese’s thought process is mired in Republican thinking.

Biden promised not to raise taxes on anyone making less than $400,000 a year. Any of the scenarios I have set forth evidence an increase that will impact those making less than $400,000.

Enjoy your day!

Harry Truman was chatting with friends on one of his post Presidency Key West trips. The discussion turned to fathers and whose was a success, ordinary, etc.

Truman’s Dad was not spectacular. A farmer and livestock dealer. Those partaking in the conversation into the less than successful category made it sound like Truman’s father John Anderson Truman was a part of that group.

Truman spoke up, “My father was not a failure. After all, he was the father of a President of the United States.”

A lot of money floating in in Keys’ off shore waters.

It has happened again. A small brick of a white powdery substance was found by lawn care workers monday on the 1500 block of Florida State Road 4A. It was floating in seaweed.

There is a followup to the cockfighting story I reported yesterday.

Luis Blanco had 310 roosters. All caged.

State Attorney Dennis Ward said he would seek the “stiffest penalty possible.” Jail time.

Luis Blanco was not the only member of his family involved in the cockfighting business. In the past 10 years, members of his family were arrested for organizing and hosting cock fights on the same property on Rockland Key where Luis was arrested.

A family business. Reminds me of moonshiners.

Cockfighting is pervasive in South Florida. Sheriff Ramsey refers to it as “a big lucrative industry .”

The drop in crime in Florida is impressive. Crime has dropped for the 50th record year.

Authorities say the drop has nothing to do with the pandemic.

Monroe County Sheriff Ramsey stated crime in Monroe County is down 50.2 percent in the last 5 years.

Life was different in William Hackley’s time back in 1856. On this day in 1856, Hackley wrote in his journal: “Drew up a bill of sale from Faina to A. Arron for a negro boy named Emanuel aged 4 years for $400.”

The filibuster is treated as a sacred cow. Not to be changed or eliminated. The skies would fall down on Congress were it done.

All bullshit.

The filibuster has been amended 161 times. Nothing sacred about something which has already been changed 161 times.

The high cost of groceries is a topic which often arises. By the people who push the carts and purchase the food.

If you think food is expensive now, watch for what is coming! All indications are the cost of groceries will be higher post pandemic.

This day in 1934 is historically referred to as “The Night of the Long Knives.”

Adolph Hitler feared some close to him had designs on his job. So he had them all killed. A “blood purge” of political and military rivals.

Donald Trump could be another Hitler in a similar regard. January 6 clear evidence. The insurrection, hang Pence, and kill Pelosi.

Yes, we live in strange times. Many forget history repeats itself. Another autocrat could appear on the scene. Not necessarily Trump, though it could be.

An editorial in the National Catholic Reporter yesterday addressed the Bishops’ Conference, Bishops themselves, the Catholic laity, the Catholic Church, and who in reality the Catholic Church belongs to.

The editorial indicated that the Bishops may lead, but the Church is not theirs. The editorial strongly advised against placing faith in the Bishops’ Conference.

The editorial without reservation described the Church as “a mess” and that which it proposed regarding politicians who support free choice being denied Communion part of “an ill advised scheme.”

Letters and e-mails received by the National Catholic Reporter were generally opposed to the Bishops’ position. Many described the Catholic Church as “an institution that has lost its way.”

The most important editorial comment was the “Church belongs to God” and the people. Not the Bishops.

Repeated because of its importance something that has been forgotten over the years: The Church belongs to God and the people.

Another doctor visit day. An appointment with heart Doctor McIvor to get the  results of the nuclear stress test taken 2 weeks ago.

Enjoy your day!

Cockfighting never totally goes away. There is always a fight somewhere around.

The “sport” is illegal in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Illegal for spectators also, though only in 43 states and the District of Columbia.

Luis Blanco’s arrest yesterday prompted me to write about cockfighting as today’s lead topic. Luis is 54. A Key West resident. He also maintains a cockfighting operation on property owned by him on Rockland Key. A mere 5 miles north of Key West.

Though illegal, cockfighting can be found in the backwoods and mangroves. Blanco was breeding chickens to fight and holding fights at his Rockland Key property.

Cockfighting is referred to as a “blood sport” for obvious reasons. Whether winner or loser, the chickens bleed big time.

History tells us cockfighting is thought to be 6,000 years old. The first recorded mention of the sport is 1591 when Magellan discovered cockfighting in the Philippines.

The sport is popular among Latinos. Probably why there is always a cock breeding farm and game site in the Keys somewhere.

Blanco will probably do time. Cockfighting is frowned upon. His bail set at $50,000 suggests the seriousness of the charges.

Key West is part of Monroe County. Monroe County is home to all of the Keys.

It was reported thus past week that the highest property taxes in Florida are those in Monroe County.

It had to happen! Inevitable! A male who considers himself a female appeared in the female section of the Wi Spa in Los Angeles.

He was naked as were all the women. Some of the females were teenagers and children.

A woman customer saw him/her walking around naked with his “dick” slinging left and right. She shouted out, “He has a penis!”

The woman was upset.

The Spa refused to evict him. Spa management was aware he was a member of the LGBT community and considered him a woman also. The Spa felt it was duty bound to permit him use of the female section.

Surfside deaths now up to 11. One hundred fifty persons remain buried in the rubble. Search efforts continue. No one relenting in the search for survivors.

The $9 million repair work that might have prevented the collapse had a different number reported yesterday. The cost now estimated at $15 million.

Another interesting development. Thirty six hours before the building fell, a contractor was in the pool/lower area of the building. He was there with permission in order to prepare a bid for cosmetic restoration of the pool and the price of new equipment.

He observed cracks in the concrete, an exposed rebar, and a wet floor in the pool equipment room.

He took pictures. The photos telling. He gave the photos to the press. They were shown on the internet this morning.

I cannot agree with everything Blacks want. They forget certain things may require them to change rather than the white population.

Towson University recently conducted a symposium titled: “Antiracist Pedagogy Symposium.” Certain professors and students were of the opinion that what is considered proper grammar is racist. Racist because it perpetuated whiteness.

Those maintaining the view took the position that Blacks have their own way of talking and writing. The Black language referred to should be taught and used.

Blacks will probably see it differently. However, I have an opinion on the subject. To me what the blacks want is to be accepted into white society. They want to be white. The solution is simple. They should adopt “white methods.” It is the Blackswho  seek change, not the whites.

The arrogance, stupidity, stubbornness, etc. has to stop as it concerns being vaccinated against Covid-19. The proof is obvious. It has arrived.

Somewhere between 99 and 100 percent coronavirus deaths are now by those who were unvaccinated.

Speaks for itself! Stop being a “show off” and get vaccinated! Your life and the lives of others have value.

It also was reveled this past week that it appears there may be a “lasting immunity” for those who were vaccinated with Pfizer and Moderna.

Unvaccinated…..Get vaccinated!

The Arizona audit is back in the news. New polling indicates independent voters oppose the controversial recounting of ballots by a wide margin. Overall taking into account the entire voting population, 1/2 oppose the recount effort.

Sean Noble is a top Arizona GOP operative. He says re the audit, “It’s a failure. It’s a joke.”

Another piece of news re the machines themselves being audited. Their has been concern the machines could not be used in any further elections. The present audit has misused, abused, moved, taken apart, etc. so accuracy cannot be depended upon.

Makes sense. The issue was raised about 2 months ago also. The problem was raised and explored. Same conclusion as to the sanctity of the machines. They could not be used again.

At the time, it was indicated the cost to replace the machines was $6 million.

Those who promoted the audit should be made to pay the$6 million. Not the taxpayers.

Tuesday again. Tonight at 9 my time, Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. Join me. Fun time/serious time. I rant and rave about what I feel good is happening and that which I consider bad.

A quick moving half hour. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou.

Enjoy your day! Continue Reading →

I was out on the town again last night. Dinner with Fran and Tom Dixon at one of Key West’s finest restaurants. I am intentionally not naming the restaurant.

The food and service outstanding! The best.

Prices likewise outstanding. Off the wall! Expensive beyond belief! Most entries $60.

I should have known. If hotel rooms, homes to purchase, and rental apartments are expensive, why not dining out food?

Everyone likes to make money. Bothers me the level charged is gluttonous. Key West is killing the goose that lays the golden eggs.

The restaurant had a good crowd. Several families with little children. How they could afford the bill, I cannot understand.

I read in one of the travel magazines a couple of weeks ago that Key West was the most expensive place to vacation in the U.S. What an achievement! Wondered then and wonder now whether such a distinction is a good one.

Many first timers may not visit Key West again. An equally fine vacation can be found in other places in Florida and the United States. Second homes equally as nice, if not better in many instances, available for purchase other than Key West. Rentals a joke. Working staff pay most of their salaries for rent. The result not uncommon to find 3-4 people sharing a 2 bedroom apartment.

Hotels and restaurants have staffing problems. Many left because of the pandemic. Many not returning because of the astronomical cost to live here.

When you call for a restaurant reservation and are told tables only available too early or too late, it is not because the restaurants are doing a bang up business. They do not have the staff to operate their businesses! Tables must intentionally be left empty.

I give it 2-3 years at the most. The gluttony will come to an end. The number of people coming will decrease dramatically. It is nature’s way of balancing things out.

Surfside a disaster. Only 9 persons found thus far. Each dead. One hundred fifty two still under the wreckage. No one knows if any are alive.

A national tragedy.

Beginning in 2018, there were two engineering reports. The first reported “major structural damage.” It was followed one month later by a report from another engineering group. This one directly to the condo board. Reported the building had serious problems.

In between somewhere, a third entity reported the building was “in very good shape.”

Heads are going to roll! Misfeasance, malfeasance, whatever. Accountability required. Absolutely no question in view of the reports involved.

Do not be surprised if along the way, investigation reveals “money may have changed hands” It has been reported the cost of repair prior to the building’s fall was in the area of $9 million.

College taught me how to think. To question, to challenge. Understandable. The purpose of a college education is for students to learn “how to think.” Note not “what” to think. But, “how.”

Leonard Petts on 6/25 in the Miami Herald wrote an excellent Opinion piece on the subject. His motivation as well as mine in writing this piece is how to think will not continue if Republicans like Florida’s Governor DeSantis have their way.

Last week, DeSantis signed a bill requiring the State’s public colleges and universities to survey students and faculty concerning “indoctrinating students.” DeSantis hinted those failing to show “intellectual diversity” would face budget cuts.

Petts suggests “today’s Republicans are terrified of educated, curious, open minds. You know, people who can think.”

DeSantis uses simple understanding terms. He makes people think the State will control what college kids learn. Not the faculties or the students themselves. Somewhat like Hitler did in the late 1930s.

DeSantis’ questionably activity came 2 weeks after he pushed to ban teaching of the “critical race theory.” The academic framework which “originated” with legal scholars over 40 years ago.

The purpose of what DeSantis and his cohorts are trying to do “is not further intellectual diversity, but to prevent it.”

Petts believes Conservatives find education dangerous.

Pew Research Center in a recent study found “the better educated tend to be liberals.” Their conclusion based on the premise that once a person learns to think, the less susceptible “thin reasoning and easy answers.”

Petts added “perpetual resentment” is on daily display. He wrote, “I mean is anyone overawed by the profundity of Matt Gaetz and Marjorie Taylor Greene? How about Louie Gohmert? Or, even Ron DeSantis?”

An interesting line from Pett’s writing: Conservatives work “to make the world safe for ignorance.”

It was announced yesterday that the Trump corporation/business was going to be arrested this week.

Sounds strange, I know. However this is how it works.

The corporation is first arrested. Some time following, the officers. The officers can be arrested at the same time as the corporation. However, it appears prosecutors are only going to arrest the corporation first.

The Trump corporation in this instance is Trump, his children, son in law, other titled officers, and principals.

My gut feeling is the government needs more Michael Cohens. Which means the government may not have sufficient wrongdoers willing to “blow” some other “person or persons” in.

It comes as the officers sweat more, feel the noose tightening. Then it is a race to see who will talk first. Cooperation leads to no sentence or a shorter one.

Enjoy your day! Continue Reading →

Read the famed movie actress Sophia Loren is 86. Since I am 9 days short of being 86, thought I would write about certain aspects of her life     .

Sophia is returning to the cinema after an 11 year absence. Excited.

The film a Netflix drama “The Life Ahead.” Sophia plays a Holocaust survivor who now befriends children of deceased sex workers with whom she once was a street walker also. She befriends 12 year old Mono, a Senegalese orphan.

The film is directed by Sophia’s son Edoardo Ponti.

Apparently this is Sophia Loren time for me. This past week I watched her interviewed on TV. The interview had to be at least 15 years ago. Her son Edoardo interviewed her.

Sophia’s love life was a part of the interview. She was in love with two men at the same time. Cary Grant and Carlo Ponti. She fell in love with Grant while making a movie with him.

Who to marry? Weighty. She opted for Ponti. Remained good friends with Grant, however.

Additional writings I reviewed prior to writing this portion of her life names Carlo as Edoardo’s father.

In the TV interview, it was intimated, suggested, Grant was Edoardo’s father. Sophia and Edoardo laughingly danced around the issue.

In a recent interview, Sophia said in spite of being 86 she felt 20.

I can understand. Mentally, I have remained 35. Sharp. My body however isn’t 35. It seems to be falling apart. The number of doctor visits and hospital tests attest to the fact.

No problem. Happy to be here, doing what I do. The cane no longer bothers me.

Sophia has her physical problems. In one of the articles I read, there was a picture of Sophia being pushed around in a wheel chair.

Such is life!

Florida Governor DeSantis is inept. Mentally deficient. Trump smarter.

DeSantis is sneaky also.

He recently signed a bill into law that bans “vaccine passports.” He made a big deal of it. No way was he going to impose the vaccine passport requirement on the people of Florida.

He failed to advise that another portion of the new law allowed the State to “use any means necessary to vaccinate” citizens. If the virus gets out of hand, the State can “force…..vaccinations” and such power is “immediately enforceable.”

Sort of hypocritical.

DeSantis “wants his cake and eat it too.” Which means he “can’t have it both ways.” A person cannot have the best of both worlds.

The Houston Hospital situation is interesting. The hospital told its employees they had to be vaccinated n order to continue employment. If not vaccinated, no job. They could not continue employment with the hospital.

Some 150 plus employees have sued in federal court  to have the hospital’s decision declared illegal.

Now comes the City of San Francisco. Thirty seven thousand employees. San Francisco has passed a “somewhat” similar determination.

A quirky decision.

The San Francisco ordinate or what ever it is called, requires workers to be vaccinated within 10 days of “final approval by the FDA” of a vaccine.

Thus far no vaccine has been “finally” approved. All vaccines permitted to be used are for “emergency” purposes.

Donald returned in a public appearance last night. Trump did a “rally” in Wellington, Ohio.

Trump ranted about items of which he disapproved.

One was the Biden administration embracing the critical race theory. He mocked “woke generals.”

Woke is defined as an alert to injustice in  a society, especially in the area of racism.

The military under Biden teaches now its members the history of racism in the U.S. Trump does not want it continued. Makes sense. Trump is a racist. No way should people be made aware of the evils of racism.

Trump told his admirers that the military will revolt if the teaching continues. He claims privates will refuse to follow orders of a general.

Trump slammed Biden repeatedly during his 90 minute speech. Throwing in lengthy asides that the 2020 election had been stolen.

A final theory espoused by Trump was that Biden was “squandering the hard earned respect the U.S. had earned on the world stage.” He claimed Biden and his people “were bowing to our enemies and embarrassing our country on the world stage.”

Dinner out tonight with Fran and Tom Dixon at Hot Tin Roof. A fun  evening guaranteed!

Enjoy your Sunday! Continue Reading →

I went 412 days in self-quarantine. Six weeks since. I have found it hard to go out. Interesting, since I was out almost every night before the self-quarantine.

My desires had changed. Watching a movie on TV became better than out on the town. I have only gone out about 6 times in the past 6 weeks.

Neither good nor healthy. Finally broke the glass ceiling last night.

Fran and Tom Dixon are in town. Buffalo residents. They visit about 4 times a year. Always stay at Ocean Key House. Tom owns a small piece of it.

The three of us have been friends more than 15 years. Good people, fun people.

We met at the Chart Room last night. By design. The first time we have been out together since before coronavirus. Game plan was the Chart Room and dinner afterwards.

It was yesterday! We sat and laughed for about 2 hours at the bar. I was with people I knew and liked!

They drank. I did not.

Time to eat arrived. We decided the Pier House. Tom went back to get a table. Returned and shocked me.

It was 7. Hostess told him no tables available till 9:30.

Tom walked across the street to Hot Tin Roof. He is obviously well known there. Ocean Keys’ gourmet restaurant. No table even for him. No table for anyone. They were taking no more reservations. Booked solid for the rest of the evening.

No problem. We laughed and enjoyed ourselves for another hour at the Chart Room. In the meantime, Tom made a reservation for sunday night at Hot Tin Roof.

On the way home, my stomach was churning. Stopped at 5 Guys for a cheeseburger. About 1 1/2 years since I had been in. The place was packed. A lot of families. I enjoyed my greasy cheeseburger and fries. Then home.

An observation. Last night was like season. Key West packed. Difficult to find a place to eat. The Chart Room wall to wall.

Why? The Dixons and I discussed the situation.

Two reasons.

The first is people have accumulated a few dollars staying in during the pandemic. They have not gone out. Europe difficult because of the virus. So they opt for Key West. The busiest vacation spot in the U.S. at the moment.

The second reason involves how expensive Key West has become. A national travel magazine mentioned two weeks ago that Key West was the most expensive place to vacation in the U.S.

People who have accumulated a few bucks want to tell their friends back home they spent a week in Key West. Then back it up with what their hotel room cost. Last night one of the leading Key West hotels’ cheapest room was $1,000. Most expensive, $2,500. Eighty seven percent occupied.

I kid you not.

Visitors have to be crazy to spend that kind of money for a room.

Restaurants the same way. Prices astronomical!

Note that Key West is into its slow season. Not this year!

The Surfside condo collapse last thursday scary. How does something like this happen in this day and age? The building  coming down reminded me of Twin Towers on 9/11.

So far 4 persons discovered dead. None alive. One hundred fifty nine still not found. Dead or alive!

An engineer said he reported in 2018 that there was a “major error” which dated back to the building’s origin. He said a lack of proper drainage on the pool deck had caused “major structural damage.” He thought that might be the reason the building fell.

Other engineers are guessing at the moment the concrete or metal piping inside the concrete had eroded and failed. I am confident that at some point the precise reason will be determined.

Rescue workers from around the world have arrived to assist. Dogs trained to sniff live humans walking about.

The pictures on TV show massive pieces of concrete that had fallen. How could anyone survive the falling concrete?

I am hopeful there will be survivors. Air pockets and small spaces are beneath the fallen slabs of concrete.

Another reason as to cause has entered my mind. Was the fall the result of a human act? Don’t laugh. Who ever thought 2 planes could be flown into the buildings on 9/11 and they would collapse?

If something can happen, it will happen.

Biden’s press appearance with several Republican Senators the other day on the White House driveway may not have been as intended. Biden the only one smiling. Everyone else poker faced. Even Joe Manchin.

Biden saying we have bipartisanship. No one else seeming to agree. None saying they agreed or denied it. No one smiling, other than Biden.

It is still a long road to getting an infrastructure bill to which everyone can agree.

Enjoy your day! Continue Reading →