An appropriate inappropriate title. Tea Watered might be better.

On this day in 1773, the Boston Tea Party took place. Time, midnight. Place, Boston Harbor.

Massachusetts colonists were upset with taxes Britain was imposing on them. They did something about it.

The Sons of Liberty were a group of colonials breeding revolution. Not there yet. Rapidly approaching, however. On this night, 60 of them disguised themselves as Mohawk Indians and boarded 3 vessels in Boston Harbor.

They dumped 342 chests of tea into the ocean.

The raiding party was led by Samuel Adams.

Significant retaliatory measures were imposed by Britain on the colonists. Considered a punishment by Britain, the measures merely accelerated the revolutionary spirit of the colonists.

Lexington and Concord were still 2 years away. However, the fire was smoldering.

Pete Buttigieg impressed me big time during the Democratic primary. Only 38, Mayor of South Bend, Indiana.

He was impressive. Articulate. His thoughts clear.

Yesterday Biden nominated him to be Secretary of Transportation.

An excellent appointment!

Transportation chief will be an important position under Biden. Biden wants to get infrastructure going. I believe he will. Roads and bridges will be repaired. Schools, also.

All this involves much activity. Jobs galore will be born! First at the manufacturing end in producing the materials required for such an ambitious undertaking. Then the contracting and labor jobs.

The work will be federal. Means top wages. A boon for the American economy.

Buttigieg will handle his new position well.

Trump seems to inflict pain and suffering on persons involved with everything he touches. He is on a literal killing spree with those in federal prisons awaiting death.

In this year alone, the federal government has executed more Americans than all the states combined. Mostly minorities. Trump’s action has been described as an “execution spree.” It began after his election defeat.

There has been a declining trend in death penalty executions. This year the states have executed the lowest number since 1983.

Why has Trump begun to move so rapidly with executions? Getting even? The inmates are not responsible for his lost. He himself is.

Presently, Trump is rushing to execute 10 prisoners by year end. Represents a “thirst for blood.” Trump eventually turns on everyone. He will on the MAGA groups, also. Mark my words. It is the nature of the man

MAGA is upset with Mitch McConnell. They advised yesterday that “people are angry” with him because he “caved into the mob and China” by finally recognizing Biden was President-elect.

He has acquired the title of RINO Republican and is claimed to be a secret Chinese agent.

Elaine Chao is McConnell’s wife. She is Chinese, having been born in Taiwan. She presently is Secretary of Transportation.

Her father is a shipping magnate.

I suspect the alleged charge of his capitulation to the Chinese has to do with his wife’s ancestry. There is no basis for such a charge.

Come January 20 and Trump will have problems with Twitter. He’ll probably get a panic attack as a result.

Twitter prohibits the spreading of conspiracy theories, with an exception. It does not apply to world leaders. By Twitter’s interpretation, Trump will no longer be a world leader after January 20.

If Trump is consistent, he will then turn on Twitter.

I advised yesterday that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was having a big Christmas party. Invitations sent to 900. Mostly high level State staff and their families.

Only 70 responded and said they would be attending. Less than 70 showed up.

How insulting can it be? He deserves it. He has been a pompous ass and a Trump stalwart. His own State people don’t even like him.

It is thought very few attended because of coronavirus. At the party there would have been no mask wearing and social distancing.

There is an old saying to the effect you should watch out what you wish for, you just might get it.

The issue martial law. If high level military had been willing, Trump would have imposed it on the Black Lives Matter protest several months ago in Washington.

Amanda Case is a Republican seeking to be Virginia’s next Governor. She announced yesterday Trump should declare martial law.

Where do these nuts come from?

She commends Trump for refusing to concede that Biden won the election. She believes there was voting fraud and claims by supporting Biden, Virginia Democrats “legalized cheating.”

Apparently, Case got her martial law idea from Michael Flynn. Recall that within a week of his pardon, he was recommending Trump declare martial law.

Coronavirus continues to be on the up rise in Key West. As also in Monroe County and the State of Florida. The vaccine is on its way. No one knows how much, if any, the lower Keys will receive.

A quick look at the numbers. Monroe County has had 3,839 confirmed cases. Key West, 2,108 of that number. Note Key West continues to have the most and more than half of all the cases in the County. The next Keys city number wise is Key Largo with 507. A far cry from 2,108.

The Georgia Senatorial run off is attracting a lot of money on both sides. It was reported yesterday that Wall Street has already donated millions to the two Republican candidates.

Sometimes bad is the result of having done something good. Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus in Ludowici, Georgia an example.

A Christmas party was held on 12/10 and the Claus’ were invited. They mingled with the 50 children at the party. Neither masks nor social distancing required.

Mr. and Mrs. Claus both tested positive after the party. They had been tested before and the test result came up negative.

Fifty children and their parents have been exposed.

Enjoy you day!

The name Eiffel triggers immediately the Eiffel Tower. Alexandre Gustave Eiffel was the civil engineer who built the Eiffel Tower.

Less known, probably because of the naming difference, is that Eiffel also built the Statue of Liberty.

An unusual big day for New York City tomorrow. A northeaster coming in. One foot of snow expected. Two days of chaos will follow till things are somewhat back to normal.

I went to college in New York City. There were a few major snowstorms 1953-1957.

Snow is snow. Beautiful. However a pain in the ass to get rid of. I always found it interesting how and where New York City disposed of the snow removed from its streets.

The snow was shoveled, bulldozed, etc. into huge dump trucks. The dump trucks then proceed to the nearest sewer. The cover was taken off. The snow dumped next to it. And a crew would shovel the snow into the sewer.

For some reason, the sewers never backed up. I could not understand why not.

No question. Trump’s attempts at having the election results thrown out were nothing less than an attempt at a bloodless coup. Supported by right wing media and Republican officials.

Over the weekend, Trump twitted: “I WON THE ELECTION in a landslide.” Trump later in the day said, “This is a great and disgraceful miscarriage of justice. The people of the U.S. were cheated and out country disgraced.”

It was reported yesterday that when Trump finally acknowledges Biden’s victory, it will be “I did not win.” Not, “I lost.” To utter “lost” would choke him.

Biden’s election is now official. The Electoral College voted yesterday.

Many believe Trump is going to keep they stole the election going for a very long time. Not because he is setting himself up for a rerun in 2024. Rather it is the money Trump has been accumulating since his defeat.

Trump set up some sort of a PAC to receive monies to help him fight the election result. Not one penny however is going to the cause. Trump is fooling his supporters.

Fifty percent of monies raised will go to Trump to use as he sits fit. Most importantly, for his personal use. Forty percent is going to the Republican Party.

Over $4 million has been raised so far. By poor Donald’s I need help to correct the election fraud. Mostly by people contributing $35.

Putin finally recognized Biden’s victory.  Putin sent a note to Biden yesterday congratulating him.

Note Putin is one of the last world leaders to recognize Biden’s election.

Turns out the Texas case before the Supreme Court friday was not the last election fraud case still kicking. There was one in Wisconsin where Trump’s people attempted to have 221,000 votes thrown out. Trump lost in a 4-3 decision.

That seems to be the last of the Trump election lawsuits. Sixty in all brought in roughly 30 days. Trump only won 1. What a beating!

Georgia’s January 6 Senate run-off elections began yesterday. Early in person voting.

Voters have asked for 1.2 million absentee ballots. Two hundred thousand have already been returned.

Georgia’s Secretary of State expects a huge turnout: “It looks like we’re going to have a high interest election.”

He went on to advise January 6 was it! No matter what happens or is claimed, Georgia law permits no run off to a run off.

The nation passed the 300,00 mark for coronavirus deaths over the weekend. How many could have been averted had Trump acted early on and his actions were not to deny the virus?

Local Washington, D.C. political leaders said the white supremacist Proud Boys were the  instigators in Washington’s turmoil saturday.

Barr resigned over the weekend. Resigned to avoid being fired by Trump. Trump was upset because Barr recently said there was not enough voter fraud to overthrow Biden’s victory.

Barr’s reputation has been totally totally besmirched the past 2 years by his support of Trump. Barr has no one to blame but himself. He forgot how to say no. He failed to speak truth to power.

I wonder whether Trump will appoint someone else to the position with only 6 weeks remaining till Biden takes over.

There exists on the federal level a Defense Policy Board. Supposedly an independent advisory group. My recollection is 11 members.

In November, Trump fired all of them. Including former Secretaries of State Henry Kissinger and Madeleine Albright.

Trump named several to the Board overt the weekend. One is Newt Gingrich.

The swamp has another member.

Florida’s Governor DeSantis continues to show how stupid he is. Strong language. Fits the man, however.

He is being described as “rogue” this morning. The claim is he already screwed up the allocation of the vaccine being received by Florida.

The State makes the rules as to allocation. However, DeSantis appears to have gone beyond the bounds of what might be the best way to go.

I have to laugh. Typical DeSantis.

Big night in Washington this evening. Secretary of State Pompeo having a Christmas Party. Nine hundred guests.

Who foots the bills for these parties? Who is paying for Pompeo’s? Got to be the tax payers. Trump would not pay money for a party out of his own packet. Pompeo does not have enough money to do so.

A definite for Pompeo’s party tonight. No face masks and social distancing.

Tuesday again! My blog talk radio show tonight at 9. Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. Please join me. Guaranteed you will enjoy. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou.

Enjoy your day!

Something happened! Something I have never seen before. Such does not mean it did not occur. I merely have never been aware of it for 20 years.

Key West has a new set of restrictions which were imposed last week. Most had to do with New Year’s Eve. My comments are limited to New Year’s Eve.

Curfew is 10 pm. Bars and restaurants close at 10 also. No Sushi, Conch Shell or the Pirate sliding down something to bring in the New Year Everyone off the street by 10:30.

Harsh! Required, however.

Hotel reservations were around 90 percent at the time.

The Key West hotel industry has generally had a condition to reservations for a holiday or popular event weekend. Several specific days must be reserved. Payment in full in advance. No cancellations, no refunds.

Cancellations have been coming in. Reservations have dropped by half. The 90 percent now 45 percent.

Have the hotels been accepting the cancellations and refunding monies already paid for a room? If so, it would be the first time in my memory. A correct thing to under the circumstances.

At the end of KONK E-Blast this morning there is a photograph of the Custom House pre 1888. Referred to in the photo as the “old Custom House.” It was torn down and late in 1891, the new Custom House opened.

The old custom house in the photo is a dream. Looks like a home. Probably was and then utilized as a government building.

The structure a 1 or 2 story building. Difficult to be exact because of trees growing in front of it. Appears to be a wood structure. A large front porch. The property surrounded by a picket fence which I assume was white.

Hard to believe that the huge brick Custom House sitting in the same location today had land enough to be constructed. The 2 buildings very different in size. David and Goliath came to mind as I viewed the old one.

Oh, the many times I have written about this subject. Food scarcity. The problem becoming even more severe. People forced to do things they never did before.

Americans are stealing food to survive. Many have become shoplifters.

Hunger a genuine concern. Or, should be. The fact that many are stealing is proof the economy is bad. Forget the stock market, the economy stinks. Proof of the pudding is the food scarcity.

It is reported 54 million Americans are suffering at this moment. The 54 million number represents a 45 percent increase from 2019.

Numbers don’t lie.

Responsibility for the shortage can be attached to many things. Like coronavirus, federal food programs being reduced or having run out and not replaced, the increasing price of food, many schools no longer offering breakfast and lunch so 3 meals a day must be provided at home, and job losses.

Many are simply looking for a way to feed their families and hopefully themselves. Actually, a means to say alive.

Food shoplifting in years gone by was considered by many to be the result of a character flaw. Lazy husband/father not working for example.

U.S. hunger has reached a point not seen in decades.

People are stealing consumables and items associated with children and babies. They are not grabbing TVs and running out the front door.

Those stealing acknowledge it is wrong. However, they ask what are they to feed their children if food is not otherwise available.

The Electoral College meets today. No Trump problems anticipated. Biden’s election will be affirmed.

Beware, however. Trump announced in a FOX interview this weekend that the election challenge is “not over.”

The first coronavirus vaccines rolled out yesterday in huge Fed Ex trucks and then planes. America appears happy. Hopefully, the end is in sight. It was a happy day.

Three million doses are being released this week.

Trump can be a horse’s ass. Often.

He has been saying in effect he believes in nothing having to do with the virus. Yesterday however a startling announcement came out of the White House. It was announced Trump and key staff would be among the first to receive the vaccine.

This morning’s news reversed the announcement. Trump and staff will not be receiving it at this time. Perhaps sometime later.

Two nights of altercations over the weekend. Washington, D.C. and Olympia, Washington. Protesters and counter protesters in the streets over the issue of Trump’s defeat. He having been cheated out of victory.

While some are going hungry, McConnell still doing his best to weasel down the stimulus bill proposed. One of the major holdups involves corporate liability for injuries arising out of coronavirus related matters.

Somewhere along the way, McConnell lost whatever sense of values he had. He is holding up money people need for food to do another thing for corporate America. He does their bidding and dances to their tune.

Over the election ballot issues, many public servants are being harassed. Big time. Some in fear for their lives. They face personal threats as tensions flare.

Those who disagree with Trump’s baseless tweets about election fraud and coronavirus are being targeted at their homes and offices.

Some protesters are armed. Telephone calls are harassing. Some stalked.

Something bad will happen. An innocent person will be killed.

Then what?

Trump has rabble roused his people into believing everything he says and therefore they are free to act as they are. Trump does not tell them to stop.

Enjoy your day!

The insanity of it all!

Words spoken by Trump followers at the Million MAGA March saturday in Washington, D.C. War and secession. The year 2020 and there are those talking that way. Even worse, they believe it is the only option left them.

Thousands attended the rally. Photos taken from an airplane showed thousands in front of the Capital. MAGA people had also gathered before the Supreme Court.

Why secession and war? They were upset with the most recent Supreme Court decision which tossed the Texas case out. Speakers claimed a Civil War the only option left.

A fantasy perhaps, but spoken by those believing the words coming out of their mouths. So assume it is for real.

It was stressed the Civil War must be a “total meltdown.”

The protesters were not happy with the GOP. They had been let down by the GOP. Trump lost the election. “Destroy the GOP” was a cry. One person wrote afterwards “Burn the Republican Party to the fucking ground.”

Note these are Trump supporters uttering in one fashion or another Trump’s rantings. I have a feeling the anti-Republican words are not going to be helpful to the Republican Senate candidates in Georgia.

The MAGA people are convinced Biden’s people broke the law and such was why he won. They blame Biden for the evil deeds of Master Donald.

They went beyond Biden. They claimed in effect Biden’s people were attempting a coup.

Can you believe?

The MAGAs wanted help: “Where is the military? This is a coup.” The military were needed because the DOJ and FBI were not doing their job.

Another cry heard and one consistent with war and secession: “The South must rise again!”

Violence turning into war a distinct possibility. Biden may have to become Lincoln to save the Union.

Protesters were present from both sides. Proud Boys and church groups. Both urging the faithful to participate in the demonstrations to come. Recommending Jericho Marches and prayer rallies specifically for Trump.

Violence was inevitable saturday. The two sides clashed. Four persons stabbed and 9 injured. The 4 stabbings have resulted in life threatening situations. The four are not yet out of danger.

The police arrested 23.

The odd thing is that the the clash did not occur till the rally was over and people were dispersing.

Additional cries during the rally included “Four More Years”  and “Stop The Steal.”

Two pictures of the altercation appeared on the internet. I was surprised. Could even be described as shocked. Appeared everyone was wearing a mask.

Georgia’s 2 Senate seats came into play. As earlier indicated, the protesters were not happy with Republican assistance in Georgia. Ergo, the cry “Destroy the GOP.” They also booed Georgia’s”RINOS Loeffler and Perdue.” RINO is short for Republicans in name only.

Violence may be the only alternative facing Biden. These demonstrations are not going to stop when he is sworn in. Trump has empowered the swamp people and the worst of Americans to perform. Perform quite possibly in a war and secession fashion.

I believe Biden may have to impose some civil rights restrictions even before an all out revolution and/or secession occurs. Such is the way unfortunately how civil disturbances as are growing in the U.S. need to be handled.

Lincoln did not sit back and let secession divide the country. He imposed restrictions. Some severe. He suspended habeas corpus. Freedom of speech and press were curtailed. Lincoln shut down 300 newspapers and detained editors without hearings.

As matters become more serious, and they will, Biden may have to evidence he has what it takes when things get tough. I believe he would after some deep thinking invoke the Insurrection Act of 1807.

Such would be legal under the circumstances. The Act can be called into play in the name of quelling dissent, silencing criticism of political decisions and preserving national security.

The Act would empower Biden to deploy U.S. military and national federal guard troops within the U.S under circumstances already described.

There are occasions where force is the only alternative.

I recall a friend while I was in college. He was from Hungary. He had participated in the Hungarian Revolution.

His words have never left me. He said initially they were just a bunch of bored college kids who began throwing empty beer bottles at Russian troops. Within 24 hours, the Russians took to shooting back. His people got guns and shot at the Russians.

On the third or fourth day, the Revolution was over. The Russians sent tanks in in a show of force. He and his friends had to quickly get their asses out of Hungary lest they be arrested and jailed or executed.

Biden may be forced into retaliation. Even before a formal act of secession by any state. The war portion is inevitable. These extreme right wing conservatives will already have been using weapons. Not they aren’t already. Small use today becomes big use tomorrow.

Now to Mitch McConnell. The man has transformed over the years into a bad person. His track record nothing to be impressed with unless you belong to the MAGA side.

McConnell cried on the Senate floor. Hard to believe.His every action indicates a cruel and uncaring person.

The crying occurred on December 2 . McConnell was giving a speech extolling Lamar Alexander who was retiring from the Senate.

McConnell’s tearful farewell speech came up on Tweet yesterday. Why was it not reported by the media on December 2 or 3?

A minor observation.

More important, very important in fact, is why doesn’t McConnell cry for the hundreds of thousand COVID deaths in America or the millions of Americans waiting for him to approve a stimulus package?

The Texas case was decided by the Supreme Court earlier this week. I thought that was it. Fifty plus cases and Trump only won one. Then yesterday, I read there was a federal court case left in Wisconsin. It was decided against Trump.

Yesterday, I read somewhere that Trump’s genius legal team now wants to start the whole process of lawsuits over. This time all being brought in state courts rather than federal ones.

Syracuse blew out Boston College yesterday 101-63. Not expected by either side. An indication of things to come?

Many ask why I do not write much about Key West these days. Simple. I have spent over 300 days in self-quarantine. I do not go out! Ergo, I know not what is going on.

My friends who occasionally sneak out for an evening tell me the town is dead.

What is there to report? When I pick something up from friends or the newspapers, I report it. That’s the best I can do.

On the other hand, I must concede I am enjoying my political writings.

Enjoy your Sunday!

Yesterday will go down as one of the best days in American history. Two biggies in one day. Vaccine approval by FDA of the coronavirus vaccine and the Supreme Court throwing out the Texas lawsuit against the four battleground states.

The FDA announced during the day that it had given emergency approval. There were a few minor details to clear up. However, formal approval would be coming the next day (today).

Trump got on his high horse. No way, he said. A message was conveyed to FDA Director Dr. Stephen Hahn on behalf of Trump. No way a tomorrow approval. By nightfall today (friday) or your resignation. His “job would be in jeopardy.”

FDA approval was forthcoming last night as Trump wanted.

The man cannot stop being a bully and buffoon.

I plan on getting the vaccine as soon as available for my age group. There is a concern on my part, however. Suppose the vaccine does have ill effects as some fear? Even to the point of death.

Then I will die. Either way, I could be a loser. Although I am self-quarantined, some how I could come down with the virus. I am 85 with several underlying conditions. Odds are I would not make it.

Ergo, what difference does it make?

The vaccine is our only hope. Nothing else on the horizon. Definitely better than injecting or ingesting bleach.

One doctor described Trump’s interference as “a veneer of political meddling.”

The Supreme Court decision in the case of Texas suing the four battleground states. The Supreme Court moved with dispatch in throwing the case out.

In a short one or two line order, the Court ruled one state cannot sue another under the fact pattern of the Texas case.

Trump does not give up. He was moaning all day and night yesterday. In fact, he tweeted around midnight that the “Supreme Court really has let us down. No wisdom. No courage.”

Obviously better than Giuliani’s, however.

I view yesterday’s decision as the fat lady has sung. I have to add I hope so. With Trump, you never know.

I suspect one thing that hurt or disillusioned Trump was that his three appointees to the Court did not support his position.

Trump’s problem is he believes he owns anyone he helps. The new Justices let him down. Good!

I admit I was concerned. I worry the Supreme Court has become politicized. The Court’s decision in the Texas case leads me to believe I may be wrong. However, I am not convinced yet. The next six months will tell.

The “beauties” have come out from under the woodwork.

Prior to the Court’s decision, the Rev. Pat Robertson was on TV assuring his fellow Evangelicals that God had promised a great Supreme Court victory for them.”

After the Court’s decision came down Robertson said, “That God is such a kidder.”

Rudy Giuliani has been discharged from the hospital. He beat coronavirus. He went public almost immediately He was interviewed on Newsmax TV.

Giuliani words indicate something is missing in his cerebellum.

He is his worst enemy. Apparently he received treatment and medications that are not available to the public. He thought nothing of it. Described such as the manner in which a “celebrity” is treated.

Giuliani assured the “legal fight would go on.”

January 5, 2021 is the next significant date in the ongoing political battles. A very important one. The run off election in Georgia. Two U.S. Senate seats up for grabs.

The future of the U.S. rides on both Democratic candidates being elected. Such will give control of the Senate to Biden and the Democrats. Otherwise, it could be as it has been for many years with McConnell and the Republicans being obstructionists.

To not elect the Democratic candidates would be like sending Biden into a street shootout in the Old West. One problem, however. Biden will be gong forth with no six shooter in his holster.

Patricia Tedesco. A great lady from my distant past.

When I first returned to Utica and began practicing law, Pat and her husband were part of our social group. Then over the years as  happens, the group dissipated.

At least 40 years elapsed since Pat and I had communicated in any fashion.

Several years ago, she happened upon my blog. Wrote me. It was wonderful to hear from her! She is now living somewhere between Florida and Utica, N.Y. Precisely where, I cannot recall.

Pat sent me a Christmas card. I responded with an e-mail.

I was duly chastised for not sending a Christmas card. I explained I never do and why. Did not make any difference. Her e-mail yesterday said she is waiting for my Christmas card.

Following her discovery of the blog several years ago, Pat sent me a quilt she had made. I wrote I had used it again a few days ago when the temperature dropped. And have any time it gets cold in Key West.

She responded telling me she has made and sent to various persons around 450. All made with love and good wishes, I am sure.

Recall last year, I mentioned that I had lost inches. I went from 6’1″ to 5’9″. Pat shared yesterday that a recent doctor visit revealed she had gone from 5’0″ to 4’10”. She described herself as a “munchkin.”

I would like to see Pat again. I have a selfish reason. She is an outstanding cook. I have not enjoyed a good Italian meal in at least 15 years. The kind of cooking our mothers and grandmothers did.

Enjoy your day!

The Key West Airport has moved ahead of many U.S. airports for the moment. It has a robot which cleans the entire airport. It is an ultra-violet emitting robot.

It is already in use.

The robot is programmed to kill 99.9 percent of pathogens, including coronavirus.

The robot can only be used during the night when humans are not about. The killing rays it emits are so intense to be dangerous to humans.

The entire airport can be cleaned by the one robot in less than 3 hours.

The robot stands just under 6 feet tall and weighs 300 pounds.

It might be a good idea to  have local students engage in a naming contest for the robot.

Major area food pantrys and non-profit groups will run out of food  this month. The government has failed to renew any food shortage funding programs. Does not make sense. At a time when the demand is greatest.

The U.S. State Department of Agriculture’s Farmers to Families ends this week or next. CARES Act Funding has run out and not been renewed by McConnell and his henchmen. The program ends 12/31.

I would like the Washington people to sit down with those who are without this Christmas. Let them experience what people are suffering.

Everyone must sit at the table. Rich and poor alike. Each must partake of God’s goodness. If the rich fail to make a place for the poor, the poor will have no alternative but to revolt. It invites rebellion. So it has been throughout history.

Visited one of my doctors yesterday. Then drove down Duval to see how things were.

Few people and no mask wearing. I have hard feelings re the mask issue.

Many visitors bring the coronavirus bug with them. Mask wearing they think is a joke.

Forget citing them. Throw the bums out!

Key West’s numbers keep rising dramatically. More than half the cases in Monroe County have been in Key West.

The time between Thanksgiving and Christmas generally a slow time. Few people therefore not a problem. Christmas Day things pick up dramatically. The town fills up and remains so till New Year’s Day.

Will it be that way this year? Additional restrictions have been adopted. Who knows. If it is not as good because of the virus restrictions, so be it. We have to protect ourselves and our own.

Governor DeSantis is a horse’s ass. Inept and incompetent. He follows Trump’s lead to the letter.

DeSantis had a back yard party saturday. Guests were 50 GOP grassroot organizers. Pictures of the event show no mask wearing and no social distancing.

A side issue re the party. One of the guests said, “It’s gonna be fun working for him and crushing the Socialists in Florida.”

What Socialists?

There appears a move underway in Tallahassee to require bars and restaurants to only do business outside. Rumor in Key West has it the 5 largest Key West hotels will only have outdoor dining beginning in February.

We live in a changing world. Coronavirus has made us a part of history.

The Key West Cemetery is unique. Especially the stones. One is engraved: “I Told You I Was Sick.”

On this day in 1898, the Battleship Maine plot in the Key West Cemetery was dedicated. Buried are some of those killed when the Maine was sunk in Havana Harbor.

The procession and dedication was viewed by 10,000 people. Impressive. The population of Key West at the time was similar to today’s or 10,000 less.

I find the 10,000 viewers interesting. I question whether there would be 10,000 today for a similar event. Not because there would be less respect. People are just different today.

I have attended several dedications at Bayview Park. Veteran and war events. Each time I was disappointed by the turnout.

Especially the Vietnam Memorial dedication. Standing proudly were what I assume Vietnam veterans living in Key West. The crowd including the veterans was 200-300. No where near 10,000.

Trump is doing well. So far 55  lawsuits. His side won 1. A minor one.

The only lawsuit left standing is the Texas one. That will be lost, also.

What will follow the Texas decision? Violence? Someone being killed?

A recent editorial in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch shared the paper’s concern: Someone Is Going To Get Killed If Republicans Don’t Tone Down Their Incitement.

I remember vividly Kent State during the Vietnam protests. Described in the history books as the Kent State massacre. The students running down a slight hill trying to avoid shooting national guardsmen. Four students were killed and nine injured.

No one knows what precipitated the shooting. It was a Peace Rally. Some 300 students and 28 guardsmen. A distance between students and guardsmen. All of a sudden, the guardsmen knelt and began shooting. The closest student wounded was 71 feet away. The closest student killed 265 feet away.

An example of accidents happening. The problem is such accidents fuel additional and more violent confrontations.

Coronavirus numbers continue going up and up. Medical experts tells us the next 60-90 days will be worse. The vaccine does not help till all are immunized. Something it will take several months to accomplish.

An interesting comparison. World War II. American deaths totaled 291,557. American coronavirus deaths as of 2 days ago, 290,000.

Yesterday I mentioned Ivanka and Jared purchased a lot on Miami’s Billionaire Bunker for $31 million. House still to be built.

This morning I read Tom Brady and wife purchased a home on Billionaire’s Bunker for $17 million. They intend to tear the house down and build a new one.

To some, money is cheap.

Enjoy your day!

Trump continues exhibiting the propensity to surround himself with persons having questionable backgrounds. This time a Texas lawman under indictment for securities fraud, accused of bribery, and abuse of office.

The star this time Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. The Lone Ranger he is not.

Paxton 72 hours ago brought a lawsuit against the four battleground states (Michigan, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Georgia) to have the election results in those states thrown out. The claim is that the pandemic caused the legislatures of those four states to make last minute changes that ignored federal electoral regulations. If Texas wins and the results of the four states are not valid, then the state  legislatures would decide who the electoral college voters should support.

The result would be Trump as the legislatures of the four states are Republican controlled.

The suit brings the theme of Star Trek to mind: Going where no federal court has gone before.

A wild lawsuit. Don’t think it is going anywhere. However, you never know.

Since the suit is one state against others, it goes directly to the Supreme Court for decision.

Eighteen states have asked permission to join in or filed amicus curiae briefs.

Now to Paxton’s background.

He was indicted 5 years ago for securities fraud and accused by aides of attempted bribery. The indictment is still pending. There have been multiple appeals and astute legal maneuvering to keep the case from reaching the trial stage.

Several former state employees filed a whistle blower lawsuit against Paxton They accused him of intervening in legal matters to help a friend. The friend a real estate investor who also made a $25,000 donation to Paxton’s 2018 campaign.

Early in the 2020 Presidential race, Paxton played a key role in Trump’s fight against expanding the use of mail in ballots.

Some believe this lawsuit is to place Paxton in a favorable position for pardon consideration.

Still with the Rebekah Jones home police invasion, a former Florida state employee has spoken out. He is Ron Flipkowski. He has resigned his position as counsel to the Sarasota County Republican Party. He is a Marine veteran, as well as a former state and federal prosecutor.

Flipkowski said the only justification for what occurred at the Jones home that he can conjure for the raid is to silence “people who are trying to tell the truth.”

In a writing, he wrote, “Even if facts alleged are true, I would still call her (Jones) a hero…..I also find Mr. Piccolo’s statement that the Governor was unaware not credible.”

The photo of the police in her home was tweeted by Jones and  already has had in excess of 300,00 viewers.

Rebekah is a woman who was stomped upon. She obviously is not taking what has happened to sitting down. She is not a DeSantis fan: “He sent the gestapo.”

Remember the Payroll Protection Program (PPP) in the first stimulus package. It has been reported that $4.3 million went to what are considered “hate groups.”

Examples include The New Century Foundation. The organization formerly ran a white supremacist website. The group for decades has maintained a position that U.S. immigration policy should be to keep America white.

The group received $51,600.

Another is the American Family Association. It opposes “homosexual agendas.” Received $1,399,000.

Trump’s constant attacks on the election, both before and after, has created/exposed a part of the Republican Party that advocates the bloody overthrow of the Biden election.

Facebook has serious problems. The U.S. government and State of New York want the company broken up claiming it violates the anti-rust law and constitutes an illegal monopoly.

Key West’s New Year’s Eve will not have the Drag Queen, Conch Shell and Pirate coming down at midnight nor any other time that evening. All part of the program to cut away at the 50,000 tourists that would normally attend.

An exciting day ahead. A doctor visit.

Enjoy your day!

The day has arrived. It was inevitable. Whites now on the road to being treated as blacks have been for years. Blacks shot by police at routine traffic stops, police exercising over zealousness when entering the home where blacks reside, etc.

Recall last May and Rebekah Jones. She was employed by the State of Florida as a data scientist. Her responsibility was accumulating coronavirus data.

Governor DeSantis did not like her reports. They showed an increase in coronavirus cases. In effect, made the Governor look bad. He wanted her to fudge the numbers. He needed “better numbers.” Lower ones.

Rebekah refused. She stood her ground. In so doing, she spoke truth to power.

Rebekah was fired. She went public. A whistle blower in effect.

Since that time, she has started her own business keeping track of coronavirus cases. She works from her home.

Recently, the Florida State Police raided her home, drew their guns, and seized her computer.

Someone had been hacking the Florida Department of Health’s emergency alert system. The police were seeking evidence Rebekah was the culprit.

After coming through the front door, they asked if anyone else was in the home. She told them her husband and two children upstairs. One of the police officers drew his gun, went to the foot of the stairs and asked if anyone was on the second floor. Rebekah’s husband answered he and the children. They were told to come down which they immediately did.

By this time, the guns of all police officers were drawn. Pointing at the family, including the children.

The police took Rebekah’s computer. She claims she does all her communicating over the phone. They did not take her cell phone and router. Nor the computers of her husband and children.

The confrontation was a tense one. Ominous. Frightening. Not a family event.

The home had an ongoing video system inside. All that transpired is on film.

The similarity to black treatment over the years clear. A family in their home. Police with an order to get some computer equipment. The manner by which the police conducted themselves could have resulted in someone being shot. Perhaps killed.

Suppose one of the children coming down the stairs got frightened and tripped, or merely tripped, and fell into the father The officer near the steps with gun drawn might have thought the father had a gun or was a danger to the officer. The officer shot. Killing or maiming the father and children.

All over a home computer.

Police have been doing this for years and getting away with it where blacks are concerned. Most state laws are clear that if the officer believes he is in danger, he can shot without consequence.

Sort of a what is good for the goose is good for the gander situation has developed. If it can be done to blacks, why not whites also. Rebekah’s story could be the beginning of many similar ones.

Now for the best part. All this is on video. Rebekah’s home was wired.

Rebekah is concerned she may be arrested. Her attorney tells her the charges that could be levied carry 5 years in jail.

Rebekah does not have the kind of money required to  defend herself. She went to Go Daddy. Within 24 hours, she had raised in excess of $100,000.

Ivanka and Jared. One of America’s best known couples. They recently purchased property in Florida. It appears they will be living there.

The property is on what is known as Billionaire’s Bunker on Miami Island. The island sits on Indian Creek between Miami and Miami Beach.

They purchased only the lot. Cost, $31 million. And no house!

Shark fishing was a major Keys industry in 1930. Centered around the Big Pine area. The Hydenold Products Co. had a plant on Big Pine. On December 8, 1930 for example their 11 boats brought in 111 sharks averaging 300 pounds each. Big business.

Sharks had value. The skin was used for leather, the liver oil, and the fins soup. The Big Pine Key company mentioned did the processing. The sharks were skinned. The hides salted and sent north to the company’s home factory in New Jersey. There the skins were made into a tough leather called shagreen.

The shark industry no longer exists in the Keys. The value of Keys sharks today is in sports fishing.

Covid-19 is rampant nationally. The Keys are getting their share.

As of last friday, Monroe County has has had 3,604 new cases. Two thousand twenty were in Key West. More than half.

We have a problem. And many local businessmen don’t care. Their concern is money. Money over the health of their neighbors. The U.S. 1 blockade should be restored and all bars, restaurants and hotels closed for a certain period.

The virus must be killed! Other wise even if the vaccine is effective, the problem will remain with us.

Enjoy your day!

Your America, our America, is changing inch by inch. Several inches in a day sometime. The speed may not be as swift as coronavirus. However for a government, it is moving rapidly.

Two recent examples.

Sunday and today. A reflection of the politicization of the Supreme Court.

A lawsuit was brought to flip the Pennsylvania election results from Biden to Trump. The method simple. Petitioner’s argument involved the Constitutionality of mail in ballot voting. The State Supreme Court in effect ruled against the petitioner and in favor of Biden.

Note there were 2.6 million mail in ballots. Biden won the State by 80,000. If the mail in ballots are rejected, Trump would win the State.

Justice Alito got involved on the part of the Supreme Court. He initially gave the petitioner till December 9 to respond. September 9 is tomorrow.

Today September 8 is considered “safe harbor” day. The day a State certifies its voting results. It frees a State from further challenge.

Somebody was sitting on their ass on the petitioner’s side. No responsive papers had been filed.

Sunday Justice Alito changed the response time for petitioner to today. He amended his order re the September 9 date.

Supreme Court Justices rarely do such. They play by the rules. At least, most of the time.

If responsive papers are filed today, Biden could lose Pennsylvania. In the final analysis, it would make no difference. Biden without Pennsylvania still has enough Electoral College votes to win.

Justice Alito should have done nothing. By drawing the time back one day, he gave Trump’s people notice of the pending default. The message loud and clear. File your papers timely.

A month ago, I wrote re Justice Alito. I am not going to repeat his many negatives again. He is a far right conservative. Thinks he is more intelligent than others. Rarely votes with the liberal side of the Court.

He is in the mold of Justice Scalia. Both men great legal thinkers. Who from my perspective interpret the Constitution erroneously.

Going to be interesting to see what happens today.

The other change and without question a scary one, is what occurred at the home of Rebecca Jones.

The villain in this story is Florida Governor DeSantis.

Jones was a data scientist employed by Florida. Her responsibility was to keep track of Florida’s coronavirus cases. The numbers came up bad for Florida. DeSantis wanted them revised to reflect a lower number of cases

Jones refused and was fired for her refusal to give DeSantis “better numbers.”

Jones now runs Florida Covid Action. A dashboard for Florida Covid information.

DeSantis must have a hair up his ass. Recently, the Florida State Police conducted a raid at Jones’ home. They were there to seize all her computer equipment.

She was asked if anyone else was in the house. She said my husband and children upstairs.

The officers drew guns. In due course, the entire family was facing drawn guns.

Your America, my America. Would you believe? Both events. A reflection of the politicization of the Supreme Court and a politically motivated dope type raid on Jones’ home.

Rudy Giuliani has coronavirus. A patient at the Georgetown University Hospital. I believe in his fourth day.

No wonder he was infected. Running all over the country, neither social distancing nor wearing a mask.

He could be a “poster child” for defeating coronavirus if when he is discharged he starts wearing a mask and social distancing.

Legendary Chuck Yeager died yesterday. He was 97.

Perhaps the U.S.’s greatest pilot.

He was an Air Force test pilot.The first to break the sound barrier.  In October 1947.

Six years later, he flew at twice the speed of sound.

Yeager was disappointed he was not selected to be one of the first astronauts. Never the less, he assisted them in their training.

In World War II, he flew P-51’s. An ace, he shot down 12 German planes. He was involved in the Vietnam War. Flew 127 missions, this time as a bomber pilot.

Yeager retired from the Air Force in 1975 a Brigadier General.

The movie Sophie’s Choice opened this day 1962. A harsh movie. Heavy.

The time World War II. Sophie and her 2 children were in a railroad box car heading for a Nazi concentration camp.

When the train arrived and people were let from the box car, they first had to pass a German officer. With each person, he would point to the left or right. One way life and work as a laborer. The other death in a gas chamber.

The officer signaled both ways for Sophie’s children. One to live and one to die. He pointed specifically where each was to go.

She argued to save both. The officer finally told her it was her choice. Sophie’s choice. At that moment she had to decide which one would live and which one would die.

She made the selection.

A rotten despicable choice for any parent to be required to make.

The movie was tough to take. The book worse.

An interesting comment in this morning’s Citizens’ Voice. Read the wording closely: “I watched the City Commission discussion about how to arrange the deck chairs on the Titanic. By New Year’s all bars, restaurants and hotels will be shut. Airport closed and U.S. 1 blocked. Still will be too little, too late.”

Please watch my blog talk radio show this evening at 9. Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. I’ll be hitting them hard tonight!

Enjoy your day!

It began with the Japanese sneak attack on Pearl Harbor. December 7, 1941.

President Roosevelt appeared before a Joint Session of Congress the next day asking that a state of war be declared immediately. His opening words live forever: “December 7, 1941 a date which will live in infamy…..”

Early in 1942, Roosevelt met with his Joint Chiefs of Staff. Told them he wanted to bomb Tokyo. To a man, each said it could not be done for various technical reasons.

Roosevelt became inflamed and in a stern voice admonished them: “Don’t tell me it can’t be done.”

Roosevelt’s order reached fruition on April 18, 1942. Sixteen U.S. bombers took off from the deck of the carrier USS Hornet. Went on to bomb Tokyo.

Roosevelt was aware the raid would not do much damage. It was not intended to do so. Rather, it was a message to the “invincible” Japanese that it could be done. The Japanese people prior thereto had been told it was impossible.

It so happened that the Japanese had two events ongoing on April 18. One major and one minor.

Japan had ordered a full dress air raid drill for the same day Doolittle and his group would be bombing Tokyo. It was Japan’s first air raid drill. Why the drill is difficult to ascertain since they were “invincible” and it was impossible for them to be bombed.

The Japanese also had planes in the air practicing for an upcoming celebration on the Emperor’s birthday.

The Americans were unaware of the air raid drill and practice for the Emperor’s birthday as the Japanese were unaware of the Doolittle raid.

The practice air raid drill had been scheduled earlier in March. A three hour event which was to begin at 9:00 am.

Doolittle’s 16 planes came towards and over Tokyo from all directions. Such was not intended. It was a “bizarre” arrival.

The meanderings were caused by faulty instruments, hard weather, and human error. The meanderings however inadvertently turned into what seemed a stroke of genius.

The Japanese were confused as the American planes came over Tokyo. As a result were deceived about the source of the attack. Remember, the Japanese homeland was ‘invincible” and a “full dress” air raid drill had been ongoing.

It seems everyone thought Doolittle and his group were either Japanese planes in disguise and part of the air raid drill. Some mistaked the planes for Japanese ones.

Doolittle’s plane crossed over a Japanese cruiser that took no notice of his plane.

Doolittle reached the Japanese coast 11:55 am. Time is important from this point forward.

The Americans flew over thousands of Japanese country folk who waved them on their way.

In Tokyo, the three hour air drill was coming to an end. It was noon. The Japanese were taking down the barrage balloons. Vehicle and pedestrian traffic began to flow normally. The  Japanese people continued to gawk at the Japanese fighter plane umbrella overhead as it moved away from Tokyo.

At 12:15 pm, the first American bombs exploded on Tokyo.

No one was quite sure what was going on. The air raid drill planes had left 10-15 minutes earlier.

An ant-aircraft battery heard the bombing. They were confused. Thought it was part of the air raid drill. With uncertainty, fired one round in Doolittle’s direction. Then closed shop and left for the day fearing they might blast one of the Emperor’s warplanes out of the sky.

The few remaining Japanese fighters from the drill saw the American planes. They assumed they were part of the “realistic” air raid drill alert. They flew off to their bases without engaging.

As a side note, Doolittle’s rank and recognition are worthy of comment.

He was a Major. When assigned leadership of the Tokyo raid, he was immediately promoted to Lt. Colonel. Following the raid, he was skipped over Colonel and made a Brigadier General. At the same time, he was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor.

All this in less than six months.

Enjoy your day!