Frederic Remington still lives. Through his works. His art, sculpturing and writings will be as famous 100 years from now as they are today.

He is a Hemingway. Eternal. Both having had a connection to Key West. Though Hemingway’s time much longer.

Remington made his fame and fortune in the old west. A transplant of sorts. He was born and raised in Canton, New York. Near the Canadian border.

Cowboys, Indians, the land and its people simply stated turned Remington on. He loved painting the old west. He is best known to day for his sculptures of cowboys and Indians. Close your eyes and see a horse standing on his hind legs with a cowboy seated waving his hat.

Nothing is forever. By 1890, the old west was fading big time. Almost totally gone.

The 1890 massacre at Wounded Knee marked the last big clash between the U.S. Army and the Indians. By 1894, Remington stopped traveling west. Everything he had known was gone. It was a new day.

Remington spent time working in his studio in New Rochelle, New York. Whether a painting, sculpture or writing, all were done from memory.

Harper’s gave him an assignment which took him to Florida. His assignment was to write about Florida’s cowboys, cattle and the land.

He disliked all. None similar to the west of old. The cowboys did not sit tall in the saddle and appear to be tough guys. None the heroic images of he old west.

The cattle were not the husky animals he viewed on the western plains. Skinny in comparison. Remington described them as “scrawny creatures not fit for a pointer-dog to mess on.”

The land the worst comparison wise. No mountains, deserts and canyons. Only scrub lands.

He returned to New York. After a brief stay, an assignment arose which would take him to Key West and Cuba.

Tensions existed between the  U.S. and Spain. Spain owned Cuba. Cuban revolutionaries in the mountains were causing the Spanish havoc.

Remington first visited Key West in 1890. William Randolph Hearst owned the New York Journal. He sent a wirier by the name Richard Harding and Remington to Cuba. It took a while for them to make it. They were stuck in Key West for three weeks.

Hearst had the fastest speedboat in the world at the time. Called Vamoose. Vamoose was to take Harding and Remington from Key West to Havana for a meeting with revolutionaries.

Two reasons offered why the had difficulty getting to Cuba.

The ocean was rough. Three times the trip was attempted. Three times it could not make it and had to return to Key West. There is a second reason. The Spanish fleet had blockaded Havana harbor which prevented Vamoose from breaking through.

Only one of the two reasons is accurate. Historians are split. Some believe it was the blockade that prevented Harding and Remington from reaching Havana. A fact that Hearst’s ego and reputation could not stand. No way anyone or anything could stop Hearst from doing what he wanted.

Whatever, Harding and Remington eventually got to Cuba. They took the steam boat like everyone else.

The two spent 3 weeks in Key West attempting to make the trip to Cuba. It was a wonderful three weeks for them. Harding and Remington were “gentlemen” of the day. Brought all the social niceties of New York with them. When recollecting those 3 weeks, Remington referred to them as “three years.” Insinuating they wee that good.

They were guests at dinner parties, luncheons and informal receptions ashore and on war vessels. They were social hits! The ladies were fond of them. The two brought charm and comradeship with them. Relationships were made that lasted lifetimes.

Harding and Remington returned home.

Remington detested Key West itself. The people wonderful, the City not so. He called Key West a “dusty smelly bit of sandy coral, and the houses built like snare drums; they are dismal thoroughly, and the sun makes men sweat and wish to God they were somewhere else.”

Hearst sent Remington back to Key West. This time to await the Spanish-American War. As far as Hearst was concerned, it was inevitable.

Remington sat around for quite a while waiting for the war to begin. His job was to do illustrations of the fighting once it had commenced.

Hearst was rabble rousing the war in New York. He had the north in a pro-war frenzy. Remington while waiting had made it to Cuba. He did not believe there would be a war and was sick of Cuba. He wired Hearst: “Everything is quiet. There is no trouble. There will be no war. I wish to return.”

Hearst responded: “Please remain. You furnish the pictures and I’ll furnish the war.”

Hearst was obviously correct. The Battleship Maine was sunk in Havana harbor in 1898.

No one has ever suggested Hearst had any direct involvement in the sinking of the Maine.

Greed was the motivating factor why Hearst wanted the war. It would improve circulation of his newspaper.

Remington was there for the war. A close friend was Teddy Roosevelt. Remington went up San Juan Hill in close proximity to Roosevelt.

Remington did not enjoy the war. He personally hated war. The death and heat were too much for him. On top of which, he came down with yellow fever.

He returned home. His thirst for war and killing satiated. He said, “From now on, I mean to paint fruits and flowers.”

Big entertainment evening last night. The PBS show re Hemingway and the Championship Game of the Final Four.

I am a Hemingway fan. More precisely, fanatic. I was first introduced to his writings in college. Those works I did not read at the time, I consumed over the next 10 years.

Spending almost 30 years in Key West, I have further become familiar with Hemingway. His personal habits, tastes, etc.

I did not enjoy the PBS show. Too may facts crowded into 2 hours. Expansion of some parts was required.

My mental expansion re Hemingway hit speed here in Key West. A lot of people living here who knew him personally or who knew those close to him after his death. Those who knew him personally were children at the time.

One was Dink. He died last year. His father was one of Hemingway’s personal friends, his driver and a fishing buddy. A drinker, also. Dink died last year.  He still had a room full of boxes containing Hemingway works which his father had left to him.

A Hemingway discussion generally works its way to his sexual tastes. As PBS slid over last night, his mother frequently dressed him in girl’s clothes. One of his wives was a lesbian. The question always comes down to whether he was in some form bisexual.

No one knew. No historian had ever come up with the answer.

The PBS show was at 8. On another channel immediately before the PBS show was the film A Farewell to Arms. Magnificent! Made in 1932. One of Gary Cooper’s finest performances. Emotions galore.

Then came the basketball game. Baylor/Gonzaga. Baylor won 86-70. The game interesting. No where as good as Gonzaga/UCLAS two nights earlier.

Tuesday comes around rapidly each week. My blog talk radio show tonight. Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. Nine my time.

You’ll love it! Join me! www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou.

Enjoy your day!

The title to this blog is also the title of a 4/3 New York Times article authored by Shane Goldmacher.

Somehow, I missed it 2 days ago when it first appeared. I do not recall seeing it anywhere at the time.

The information about to be shared first came to my attention early today on Morning Joe. Thought it significant. Did some research. Again, the New York Times article the only one I came across.

The New York Times article lengthy. I suggest you read it for complete details.

Basically involved is a simple fraud scheme.

It began in September and October during the campaign. Biden’s operating funds were going thought the roof. People were contributing to  him big time. Trump’s on the other hand went in the opposite direction. Contributions were down! Not enough was coming to to compete with Biden.

The same scenario about to be described was also utilized following Trump’s defeat to finance among other things Trump’s need for money to fight the fraudulent ballots.

The cry went out in each instance for more money. Trump’s supporters responded with small to large contributions. Credit cards were used. A one shot contribution situation.

One of the Republican/Trump groups requested the monies. The funds were handled/disbursed by a for profit group called Red Wing who processed the donations.

The sin involved is that the campaign organization and/or Red Wing processed the credit card contributions more than once. To be clear, a one time credit card contribution was put through several times over a period of one to two months.

An example is one contributor who donated a one time $500 contribution which in less than 30 days became $3,000. Or, a $5 one which after several transactions turned into multiples of the $5.

When people received their credit card statements, they noticed the improper charges and most contacted credit card fraud departments.

The amounts were outstanding! Big! The Republican entities involved moved as swiftly as possible to reimburse those who had been defrauded.

Numbers tell the story. In the last 2 months of 2020, Republican entities refunded $643 million to 530,000 contributors. There were other time frames and reimbursements. All in large numbers.

The Democrats had similar problems.  The article did not suggest the Democrats repeated chargings were wrong in any fashion. Numbers appear to support the conclusion. In the same 2 month period at the end of 2020 when the Republicans were refunding $643 million to 530,000 contributors, the Democrats refunded $5.6 million to 37,000 donors.

Something stinks. Something is wrong. The Republican scenario should be investigated. Those determined to be guilty in any sense should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.

The article suggests prominent persons include Trump and Kushner.

A special television night this evening. A doubleheader.

PBS has a 2 hour show beginning at 8 titled Conversations with Hemingway. The Championship Game of the Final Four beins at 9:20 on CBS when Gonzaga and Baylor face off.

I will be moving the remote control back and forth.

America loves the underdog. Also a person who once was great and then fell. America pulls for that individual to return to former glories.

Tiger Woods an example.

Another, Jordan Speith.

Speith began his career with a bang. Won 11 tournaments. Including 3 majors.

All of a sudden, he lost his talent in 2017. Never to win again till yesterday. Win #12. The Valero Texas Open. Speith previously went 82 consecutive tournaments without winning.

He seemed to be coming back 5 or 6 tournaments ago. Could not put it together to win on the final day, however.

He did yesterday. The purse $1.8 million.

The Masters is this weekend. Speith will be among the favorites. He’s back!

Numbers always reflective. A study was done comparing “working” Wall street persons (the people on the floor, staff help) and their hourlies to “minimum wage workers.”.

The study indicated that the minimum wage would be $44 an hour if it had grown at the same rate as Wall Street bonuses. Which, for example, averaged $184,000 in 2020. The number reflecting a 10 percent increase from 2019.

Since 1985, bonuses increased 1,217 percent. The $44 an hour figure appears again. If the federal minimum wage had grown at the same rate, it would be $44 an hour today.

The study also reflected an additional downside for minimum wage persons. The pay gap made the social and gender pay gap worse. White men dominated the Wall Street employee force.

I am in my last week of self-quarantine. In Willie Nelson’s words, I’ll be back “on the road again” sometime this weekend.

Hurrah!

Enjoy your day!

Happy Easter!

“He is not here, He has risen. Just as He said.” Matthew 28.6

One of the most revealing events in Christian history.

Gonzaga/UCLA perhaps the most perfect and exciting college basketball game ever played. Gonzaga won in overtime when its star player hit a long 3 pointer precisely at the moment time was to expire.

Today will be a quiet one for me. A lounging around morning. A holiday meal Lisa will send over. I am still in self-quarantine. Six days to go.

Plan on finishing a book I began 3 weeks ago and never got back to.

A couple of movies and a nap at some point.

Easter 2021 for me.

Whatever your religion, may your God hold you in His Hand.

Enjoy the day!

Key Westers are a loving caring group. The story about to be shared appeared in yesterday’s KONK Life. Unquestionably proof of the loving and caring people who reside in Key West.

In January 2020, Angie Majors was taking a Key West Cemetery stroll. She noted the grave sites of many babies. Babies in years gone by who died. Now forgotten.

Many of the graves a 100 years old. Families long gone. The graves of the innocents unattended for many years. In a state of almost total disrepair.

The babies were mostly buried in the Passover and Windsor sections. One hundred sixty seven in all.

The 167 number at first glance may appear to be “no way.” Forget not however, 100 years involved. Recall also that couples had many children in years long gone by. To assist with living and helping to support the entire family as they got older. If they got older. Forget not that years ago many babies were born dead or did not survive even their first year. Disease was rampant, medical care not the same as today.

It was obvious the graves of the babies needed attention. A renewal of sorts.

Angie had a friend who was a former Key Wester. She had left and not returned for years. She was coming for a visit. She had a baby she lost who was buried in the Key West Cemetery. She was looking forward to visiting her baby’s grave site.

Angie was concerned and upset. No way could she leave the baby’s grave in the condition it was. The shock to the mother would last forever.

Angie got together with her friend Linda Downs. The two of them decided something had to be done. Not to just one grave. To all of the baby graves. They were all in the same condition. Needed help.

Angie and Linda soon learned that the total number of baby grave sites were 167. They assumed the task of seeing that all would be restored.

The two made a generous donation to get the work done.

Volunteers were found to assist. A local sculptor Craig Berube-Gray    created 2 benches. One for each section.

The grave sites were leveled, landscaped and a border installed to keep debris and dirt off the graves.

Volunteers assisted with the work.

Thursday a celebration was held to congratulate Angie and Linda for spearheading the restoration and the sculptor for Berube-Gray for the newly created benches.

The restoration of the grave sites is evidence once again of the goodness and thoughtfulness of Key West residents. It’s for real.

I miss Italian holiday meals.

Two specialties stand out. One cassata, the other sausage pie. Made the same way by my grandmother, mother, and former wife. Certain traditions never die.

Cassata is a ricotta cake of sorts. Candied fruits and shaved chocolate added.

The mixture baked in a big pan. A thick flour crust surrounding the mixed ricotta, etc. Top, sides, and bottom. At least a quarter inch thick. The cassata itself standing at least 3 inches high.

Such would be cooked the day before Easter.

Also prepared and cooked the day before was sausage pie. Again, a thick crust all around. Sausage chopped up inside. Herbs added. Baked in the over also.

The odor of the two treats cooking permeated the house.

The cooking completed, the two were left sitting to cool off. Then refrigerated overnight. Ready as a desert treat on Easter Sunday.

The cassata had one negative. As good as it was, as tasty, it sat in your stomach for hours. As did the sausage pie. Not complaining. Merely sharing.

Atlanta taking a beating. As it should. As all of Georgia should. The newly passed Georgian voting laws restricting access for people of color a disgrace in 2021.

Delta and Coca Cola first came out and nailed Georgia. Georgia retaliated. Told Delta a $1 million tax break under consideration was off the table.

Yesterday, Major League Baseball announced it was moving the All-Star game from Atlanta to another city.

The Blacks have never been better organized. And with a white President totally supporting them.

Republicans know they are a dying group. People of color have slowly been growing. Now a large vocal body. Ten years from now, the Republican Party may not even exist.

The question arises in my mind: Why didn’t Trump pardon his friend Gaetz?

I read this morning that Gaetz may soon be arrested. Word is “his friend” Joel Greenberg “has been singing to the feds.”

A researcher at Florida International University performed a study as to the clarity of Key Waters ocean waters in the time cruise ships have not been permitted entry. His determination: Key West water clearer with the cruise ships gone.

Enjoy your day!

Hemingway excitement begins monday! PBS is running a 3 part 6 hour series titled Conversations About Hemingway.

The film explores the life and work of the legendary man and his enduring influence on literature and culture.

John McCain was interviewed for the series prior to his death in 2018. The interview primarily discussed For Whom the Bells Toll and McCain’s hero, Robert Jordan.

McCain was 12 years old when he came upon the book. He read it in one sitting. Could not put it down. Hemingway’s Robert Jordan became McCain’s hero: “He was willing to fight and do whatever he could for the cause of justice and freedom. I always wanted to be Robert Jordan.”

The statement made me think McCain may have been the last All-American Republican. He represents the hope, dreams, and fiber of what was America.

Matt Gaetz. It seems like a story with no ending.

On this day in 1805, Hans Andersen was born. One of history’s most famous writers of fairy tales. In addition, Andersen wrote plays, travelogues, novels, and poems. He is best remembered however for his fairy tales.

Over the course of his lifetime, he wrote 156 fairy tales consuming 9 volumes. His fairy tales have been translated into more than 125 languages. His fairy tales accessible to children world wide. His fairy tales teaching them lessons of virtue and resiliency in the face of adversity.

His fairy tales in most instances are based on his adverse upbringing followed by success in adulthood.

Respectfully, Andersen was a nut. Not minimally. Big time.

He has been described as a wanker.

The man was obsessive. He kept a diary as to how often he shook the hands of his milkman. Entries such as “I had a double sensuous ++.”

Andersen never married. Celibate his whole life. He was pure and chaste, subject however to lustful thoughts.

He visited Paris brothels. Never actually had sex. Paid the ladies to sit and talk with him. Following which he would return to his hotel and record in his diary the experience.

Many were his unrequited loves. Involving both sexes. History is clear he never had a sexual relationship. His private journals record his refusal to have sexual relations.

His practice was to fall in love with unattainable women. He was shy around women. His attraction to men was the same as with women. No physical contact. No relationship went further than letters of endearment which he wrote.

Historians are clear Andersen never had physical contact with men. Such would have been contrary to his moral and religious ideas.

Some of his fairy tales were autobiographical. The Ugly Duckling is based on his own young life. He wrote subsequent to its publication that the “story is, of course, a reflection of my own life.”

He met Charles Dickens on a visit to England. They corresponded thereafter. Dickens invited him to visit England again ad stay as a guest in his home. A move Dickens late regretted ad infinitum.

The invitation was for 2 weeks. Andersen remained 5. Andersen’s wacky nature was in full bloom during the visit.

He told Dickens it was a Danish tradition that the oldest son of the person being visited was required to shave the guest every day. The request did not fly. Andersen and Dickens were both offended, for different reasons of course.

The matter was resolved by Dickens having Andersen visit a barber each day and Dickens paid for the shave.

Another time, Andersen received a rejection letter from a publisher. He threw himself face down on Dickens’ lawn and sobbed like a baby.

Following Andersen’s departure, Dickens wrote a note which he left in Andersen’s bedroom for all to read over the years: “Hans Andersen slept in this room for five weeks – which seemed to the family AGES!” The AGES capitalization Dickens’.

The friendship ended with the visit. Andersen wrote Dickens a few times. Dickens never responded.

Andersen had a lot of phobias. He was afraid of dogs. He was afraid of being buried alive. He was afraid of contacting the pig parasite illness trichinae.

Regarding the fear of being buried alive phobia, Andersen went to sleep each night with a bedside note: “I only appear to be dead.”

Andersen’s most famous fairy tales include The Emperor’s New Clothes, The Little Match Girl, Thumbelina, The Little Mermaid, The Nightingale, The Red Shes, The Princess and the Pea, and of course The Ugly Duckling.

William Hackley had a bad day this date in 1856. Today in Keys History reported Hackley rose and took his usual long walk. He returned home to bathe. “There was no water in the tub or well so I could not bathe.”

The well went dry!

Appreciate today’s water systems.

Enjoy your day!

It was the late 1840s. Catholics a small group in Key West. Priests non-existent.

Prior to that time, a priest would suddenly appear unannounced. One or two times a year to administer the Sacraments.

Such is all that is available historically re the Catholic Church into the 1840s. No records were kept.

Key West was in the Diocese of Savannah, Georgia. Key West was the out post of the Catholic Church in the southern U.S.

Key West’s first Mass was celebrated on October 10, 1846. A priest from Havana said the Mass. It was celebrated in City Hall.

City Hall at the time was in a 2 story building erected over the water at the foot of Duval Street. The first floor of the building was a meat and fish market. The second floor City Hall.

The first Catholic Church was built on the southwest side of Duval about 100 feet from the corner of Eaton. The Church was dedicated in 1852. It was named the Church of St. Mary, Star of the Sea.

The building was enlarged in 1870 at which time a large pipe organ was installed.

The coronavirus of today was the scarlet fever of that time. The presence of the constructed Church meant priests were sent to service the Church and Catholics Key West. The priests ministered to all afflicted with scarlet fever.  Four priests died between 1861 and 1879 as a result of the fever.

Blacks in those early days were referred to as Negroes. Many members of the Church’s early congregation. Some free, some slaves.

Segregation existed in Key West back then. No human family as yet. The Negroes were assigned a part of the Church separated from the whites. The  house of God segregated.

A sparse but informative history. Not much more exists.

Sir Walter Scott in 1808 in the epic poem Marmion: A Tale of Flooden Field wrote “Oh, what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive.”

History’s shorten version: “Oh the web we weave, when first we seek to deceive.” The today version is in every trial lawyer’s stock in trade. I used it in summing up to a jury many many times. Caught a witness lying and threw the lie in his face with the words. Words a jury understood.

Matt Gaetz is tangling himself in a web. In a mere 48 hours. Every time he opens his mouth.

He better get a lawyer. And fast!

I am not going to run through each story he has rendered. Gaetz is much like the man he greatly admired. As with Trump, Gaetz’s story keeps changing every time he speaks. A word of truth surrounded by fabrication. The most recent the orgy added to the $25 million extortion plot and a U.S. hostage.

Last I read somewhere this morning, he claims the 17 year old girl does not exist.

One thing is obvious in the George Floyd murder trial. The defendant police officer Derek Chauvin better get new lawyers. His present ones are inept.

The defense team is permitting the prosecution to “get away with murder.”

Rules govern the type of questions an attorney may ask. If a question is out of line, opposing counsel will object and the judge will prohibit the question from being answered.

I have been watching parts of the trial. One thing is obvious. Chauvin’s counsel do not know when to object.

Many of the prosecution’s questions are leading. A no no.

Another type question goes to a witness’ state of mind. A witness may only testify to what the witness saw or heard. Many of the questions are framed in what did you think verbiage. Another no no. What a person thinks is not admissible in evidence. Think is not a fact. The thought subject to creation, change, etc. following an event. Does not portray the event based on having been seen or heard.

Sao Paulo, Brazil devised a new way the people of a community could prove loudly and clearly they thought their political leaders were full of it, doing an inept job, etc.

It was 1959. Students in Sao Paulo were tired of the city’s overflowing sewers and inflated prices. A city council election was being held. The students decided to run a campaign to elect a rhinoceros.

The rhinoceros won! Big time! By 90,000 votes! The people had expressed themselves!

The rhino’s name was Cacareco. A female. Her name in Portugese translated in English to “rubbish.” It was no bar to her election.

Elections a bit different in Brazil at the time. There were 540 candidates for 45 seats. Cacareco got 100,00 votes. Her nearest competitor 10,000.

Absolutely a protest vote!

The lady was not permitted to serve. She was animal and not human. Never the less, the students made a point.

Baseball opening day! Most of America excited. Considered by many to be the national sport.

Around 2 this morning, it was thought there was a problem at the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. What appeared to be an explosive device was found outside between Terminals 2 and 3.

The airport was immediately closed down All flights placed on hold. All roads into the Airport closed.

It was determined at 7 this morning that whatever found was not an explosive. Everything back to normal. Except for many of he travelers who are stuck with rescheduling.

When I was young (up through high school), Easter Sunday was an event. Everyone dressed for church. Men wore suits. Even young Louis. Going to and returning from Church was like an Easter parade. Actually, it was.

Key West is holding its annual Easter Parade and brunch this Sunday. The public is invited.

The Parade will begin at noon. Begins at the Curry Mansion. Everyone will walk down Duval to La Te Da. For those who want to brunch, one will be available at La Te Da.

Ladies are invited to wear Easter bonnets. Men and women Easter finery.

Enjoy!

I continue to advise Florida’s Governor DeSantis is incompetent. Totally inept. For real.

About 10 days ago and just before Spring Break. he removed all COVID-19 restrictions. As he said, he was opening Florida to business.

Stupid because Florida has almost consistently the past several months been in the top three states infection wise.

It was announced yesterday that Florida presently has the most B.1.1.7 variant cases.

The variant cases are spreading through the U.S. like wildfire.

Florida has 11,500 cases of the variant.

The CDC announced this week also that a surge in new cases is expected. I believe Florida will see a definite increase in virus cases.

Thank you, Governor DeSantis!

Here I go again. Harry Truman loved Key West and Key West loves Harry Truman. His town. The same as Ernest Hemingway’s.

On this day in 1950, Truman’s wife Bess and daughter Margaret joined him at the Little White House.

Enjoy your day!

It was breaking new last night! Broke in the New York Times. Reporter Michael Schmidt one of the persons who wrote the article. It hit the media at 7:45.

Matt Gaetz is a 38 year old Congressman. A Republican, he represents a district in the western Panhandle.  He has been a Congressman since 2017.

The news involved Gaetz being the subject of an FBI investigation regarding possible sex trafficking with an underage girl. The issue under investigation is whether Gaetz had sex with a 17 year old girl and paid her to travel with him across state lines.

The investigation begun last fall while Trump was President. The investigator begun under Attorney General Barr. To be noted the investigation neither a Biden nor Democratic thing.

Gaetz was a close ally of Trump. Still is based on his public activities/pronouncements on Trump’s behalf.

His background not necessarily bad, though it does contain some questionable activities.

Gaetz was the lone no vote on the Combating Human Trafficking in Commercial Vehicles Act.

In 2018, he defended Trump’s statement that Haiti and African nations were “shit hole” countries.

In 2018, he was arrested for driving under the influence in Floirda. Police believed he was under the influence. He showed signs of physical intoxication. At the scene, he first denied he had anything to drink. Then admitted to 2 beers.

He failed the eye test. Decline to submit to field sobriety tests. Refused taking a breathalyzer test. Failure to take a breathalyzer test results in an automatic suspension of the driver’s license for one year.

He was never tried for failure to take the breathalyzer test nor was he tried on the DUI charge. At some point, all charges were dropped.

Between 1999 and 2014, Gaetz received 16 speeding tickets in Florida.

He alleged James Comey had leaked investigation matters to New York Times reporter Michael Schmidt. Could not have been. Schmidt was 10 yeas old at the time.

In 2018, Gaetz invited alt-right Holocaust denier Charles C. Johnson to attend the State of the Union Address.

On January 6, 2021 Joel Valdez, senior communications aide to Gaetz, posted a video on Parler hours before the storming of the Capitol: “From the top of the Capitol Office Building, WE HEAR YOU LOUD AND CLEAR! #Stop the Steal.”

And more.

America is divided along party lines over Biden’s religion. His Catholicism and his right to receive Communion. An article touching on the mater was published in the National Catholic Reporter yesterday.

First to consider is what has happened to freedom of religion? Is not Biden entitled to the same?

Biden is the second Catholic President in U.S. history. The first was John Kennedy.

Biden appears to be a devout Catholic. Mass on Sunday where he receives Holy Communion. Not a Johnny come lately to the Church going, etc. A practice he learned in his youth and has followed ever since.

He has never made a secret of his faith. Quite frankly, he has to be a man of faith. Forget not, Biden lost his first wife and young daughter in an automobile accident. He lost his son in recent years to bran cancer.

A man needs God to survive such events. He openly admits his faith helped carry him through.

The question being asked is whether Biden’s faith is authentic. Actually, how much faith does he have? Such is being raised by some. Also the issue has been raised whether he should be allowed to receive Communion because of his being pro-abortion.

The March 30 Pew Poll reported 58 percent of adults are aware Biden is Catholic.

Eighty eight percent of Democrats believe Biden is “somewhat religious.” Sixty three percent of Republicans believe Biden “not” or “not at all religious.”

Biden has been referred to by members of both parties as a ‘fake Catholic” or a “Catholic in name only.” These words being echoed by the U.S. Bishops Conference.

The Bishops Conference is upset because Biden defines himself “as a devout Catholic” while at the same time supporting legal abortion.

The Bishops Conference is pushing hard to prohibit Biden from receiving Communion. Recall there is a split between the Bishops Conference and Pope Francis. The Bishops Conference is in bed with the far right in the U.S.  They dislike Francis. Periodically make moves to depose him. Would you believe!

Anyhow, Washington’s Archbishop and Bishop agree Biden’s abortion position is not a bar to his receiving Communion. They have publicly advised Biden will not be refused Communion.

Specifically addressing the abortion issue, 55 percent of Catholic Republicans believe Biden should be disqualified from receiving Communion. Whereas, only 11 percent of Catholic Democrats do.

When the issue is one of morality, who would you prefer as President? Trump or Biden? The question answers itself.

Spring Break is now being reviewed as if it is over. It is not. One or two more weeks to go.

Seems like Spring Break brought a change with it this year. A change which suggests the Spring Breaks of old are dead.

The only place in the U.S. where Spring Break got out of hand was Miami Beach’s South Beach. Two nights at the most. Then quiet. Fort Lauderdale had a slew of Spring Breakers. No problems.

Key West came through the situation so far with everything kumbaya. Recall, I thought Spring Break in Key West was going to be a disaster.

I was wrong.

There were fewer Spring breakers because rooms and house rentals were not available in the same quantity as years before. Holiday renters were taking them for 2 weeks.

Key West Mayor Teri Johnston was pleased how things worked out. She said, “I check regularly with our Chief of Police but it appears that we have welcomed a fun, respectful group of college students looking for some sun.”

Enjoy your day!

There is a world wide pandemic. Millions sick. Many dying. The virus can successfully attack anyone.

Fortunately, vaccines have been developed which thwart the disease. Protect everyone vaccinated.

The problem is not everyone believes protection is required. Some do not believe the virus even exists. Others, it is not a danger. Others fear the vaccine itself will harm them. Some concerned with a violation of their freedoms. And so it goes.

There is a warning of a fourth surge. Things were going well. The numbers coming down. Masks, social distancing, and the vaccine were working.

The group of non-believers were joined by those who thought the danger was behind them. Threw the masks away. Forgot social distancing. Traveled. Played. States removed restrictions. Resulting in the numbers going up again.

Rochelle Walensky is the Director of the CDC. She warned of an “impending doom.” While holding back tears, she advised yesterday that the numbers and hospitalizations were moving back up again. Deaths following slowly behind. Walensky said, “Right now I’m scared.”

Biden followed up later in the day backing Walensky’s warning.

The U.S. 7 day average has risen to 60,000. A 10 percent increase. Deaths moving to 1,000 per day.

We cannot live with this danger constantly over our heads. The vaccine solution has arrived. Those that do not want to get the shot or follow the restrictive rules should be isolated from the rest who want to avoid sickness and death.

Exile them!

The solution is simple. Create and deport them to places where they can live to together. Unable to infect believers and those who follow the rules.

What I suggest is serious. Severe. However, coronavirus is serious and severe.

Islands and places as were established for those with leprosy. Tough! May become necessary, however. Those that want to do what they want should be able to do so. However without creating a danger to those who disagree with them. New places like the leprosy colonies of Kalaupapa and Penikese Island.

The U.S. has leaders who fail to believe the severity of the virus and its danger. Trump stands in the forefront. Another is Florida Governor DeSantis.

DeSantis vows to ban “vaccination passports.” Proof a person has been vaccinated. To be used not only for air travel, but also simple things like entry to a movie.

His attitude, not on my watch.

The worst is yet to come with DeSantis. The Republicans consider him Presidential timber for 2024. The recent C-PAK meeting found him high in the polling. The only one above him in poles was Trump himself.

Two weeks ago DeSantis decreed that restrictions on businesses were withdrawn. Those fined for not wearing masks, did not have to pay their fines.

DeSantis’ “Open for Business” policy did not work in Miami Beach. His “Florida is open…..spring break is on, come on down” was a failure. Ocean Drive early on a disaster for party goers and the area itself.

Many believe Miami Beach was the “guinea pig” to show the world Florida was reopened and people should not be concerned with COVID-19.

Those who have had one or two vaccination shots receive a COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card. People were admonished as they received their card to save it. No one was certain yet where it would be required.

Staples and Office Depot/Office Max have stood up to provide a public service. Each will freely laminate the record card through July 25. A coupon needed to have the lamination done for free. The coupon is on the internet this morning.

The container ship stuck in the Suez Canal and blocking traffic no longer stuck. After 6 days, the ship is out and moving.

The ship’s name is “Ever Given.” Provided 6 days of drama. Paralyzed the canal. Wreaked havoc on global trade. It is estimated it cost $400 million per hour (yes, per hour) for goods delayed through the canal. Note the figure does not cover the cost of freeing the ship.

Ship horns blew in celebration yesterday when Ever Given was freed.

It is estimated it will take at least 6 days more for the canal to be fully cleared for operations and the backed up ships to pass through.

The thing that impressed me the most was the size of the ship. One quarter mile long. Compared to the height of the Empire State Building. Without cargo, weighs 220,000 tons.

A major Key West industry has suffered. A bad season! The spiny lobster industry. Its season sub-par.

The lobster season ends April 1.

The drop in harvest has been significant.

The reason primarily attributed to hurricanes and tropical storms that skirted the lower Florida Keys in August and September.

Nature is fickle. Key Largo and Miami had successful seasons. The storms that affected the lower Keys did not come near Key Largo or Miami.

To a lesser degree, the Pandemic and China enter into the picture also.

Placing the matter in perspective, lobster landings in the lower Keys will be near 3 million pounds. Last year, it was 5.2 million pounds.

A big hit!

Join me tonight for my blog talk radio show. Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. A fast moving hard hitting half hour. I call them as I see them.

Nine my time. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou.

Enjoy your day!

The end is near. I am anxious. I want to be art of the active world again.

Received my second shot saturday. I have missed two Marches in a row. Last year and this year.

Have been told wait 2 weeks before going out. Two weeks a week from this coming saturday. Not looking to go crazy. Merely want to sit at a bar, have a drink and talk to someone.

My self-quarantine is somewhere in the 390 days. By the time that saturday night arrives, I will have crossed 400.

Who would have believed!

Ted Kane. A friend. Recently, visiting in March. Missed him last year because of the quarantine. Missed him again this year.

Ted e-mailed me yesterday. He heads back to New York State this wednesday. It will be another year before we meet face to face again.

Ted got his second shot February 11. Ergo, he was able to make the March trip.

Ted, next year at the Chart Room!

DeSantis and Trump birds of a feather. I keep repeating myself in that regard. Both know it alls. Trump claims DeSantis  the best governor in U.S. Would be by Trump’s standards. He did everything Trump said to do with similar disastrous results.

DeSantis totally screwed up the handling of coronavirus from masks to distribution of the vaccine.

So…..coronavirus is on the up sweep in Florida. Lucky we are!

Florida has been the #1 state either not imposing certain restrictions and then lifting those imposed way too early.

Florida’s numbers are especially up among the younger. In the past 2 weeks, new cases have averaged 5,000 per day, an increase of 8 percent.

Variants are another problem. Especially variant B.1.1.7. The most contagious variant. On the “rise exponentially.”

The CDC expects the variant to hit Florida hard. As the variant rises, it will be followed by a surge. Such has been the CDC’s experience with exponential rises.

Interesting observations re South Beach Spring Break. It has now been termed a Black Spring Break. This past week a “Black Beach Week.”

Black leaders from the highest echelons to those on the street have described the curfew and crackdown “unnecessary force.”

Miami authorities claim the breakdown occurred because the crowd was different this year. Primarily Black. Authorities were required to turn Spring Break into a “police state.”

Two weekends involved. The first chaotic. Bad. Police reaction great. The second nothing in comparison. Curfew followed. Fewer students about during the day.

The “success” of the calm second weekend is attributed to the police using “discretion” in approaching developing problems. As a result, there were “fewer crowds” and “no significant issues.”

An article in this morning’s Washington Post describes Key West’s cruise ship problem as “rough waters.” Involving the City, cruise individuals and state lawmakers. The three tangling big time over the issue.

The people of Key West with a 60 percent vote in November required smaller cruise ships and fewer people coming off the ships for day activity.

Key West is the southernmost point not only in the U.S., but also Florida. The state capitol is in Tallahassee to the far north.

With the cruise ship issue and some others in the past, hack politicians who have nothing to do with Key West and represent areas far away from Key West have become involved. Spurred on by the moneyed people of Key West. The train, trolley car and bus owners, and bar and restaurant owners. All whom do not want the referendum result to hold. They obviously will lose money.

The group have again called on their legislative friends from far away areas to intercede and help them. Screw the people the cry!

It appears the moneyed persons will win, the people lose. A governmental shame equivalent to the new voting laws passed in Georgia.

Trump claimed over the weekend that Biden’s border policies were destroying the country.

Biden retorted by accusing Trump of requiring immigrant children to starve to death and stay on the other side. Biden said, “No other administration did either, except Trump’s. I’m not going to do it.”

What is common and expected today not so in years past. The telephone and President Herbert Hoover involved.

On this day in 1929, Hoover had a telephone installed in the Oval Office at his desk.

If my memory proves correct, the telephone had been around since the 1870s.

The White House had a telephone in the foyer outside the Oval Office. Hoover and his predecessors were required to leave the Oval Office to use the phone.

Hoover wanted a phone at his desk. Understandable. Expected to be a simple hookup. It was not. All kinds of problems arose getting the phone to work correctly.

Enjoy your day!

I am in a state of shock! Those who read this blog and those who know me are aware I am a liberal. I believe it is the responsibility of government to help those in need regardless of color or ethnicity. Whether Purple, Green, White, Black, Asian, etc.

Blacks would be in an uproar if a guaranteed law were passed whereby only poor whites could receive certain financial assistance.

Oakland, California is working on a program to provide families of “color” with financial assistance of $500 per month, no strings attached.

A “guaranteed income project” to assist Black and Indigenous families.

White families excluded.

The $500 would be provided on a per month basis for 18 months. Payments unconditional. Recipients can spend the $500 on whatever they choose.

Certain eligibility conditions do apply, however. The family must include one child under 18. Additionally, the income of such families must be below the median income for the area.

The program is limited to 600 families. Selection will be by random drawing.

The 600 families are divided into 2 groups. One half being those whose incomes fall below the $60,000 median income for the Oakland area. The other half to families earning $30,000 or less.

Funding will not involve public monies. Funding will be by “private donations.”

Consider for a moment the clamor if a similar program was involved with one difference. The $500 per month payments were to go solely to poor white families. Black and Indingenous families not included.

Another example of an insanity that has begun to permeate our society involves conservative Reverend Rick Joyner. I mentioned him a few days ago. He is the subject of a New York Times column today.

Joyner is a prominent evangelical preacher. He calls on Christians to pray for a civil war against liberals. His thinking as erratic as that of John Brown in support of the abolitionist movement.

The thrust of the New York Times column had to do with Joyner’s children. He is the father of five. They do not support his position nor do they identify as evangelicals. They claim to love their father. However believe his rhetoric dangerous and could trigger violence.

Joyner claims Democrats are in league with Satan. Many agree and support him.

All five of his children vote Democratic.

The entire situation typifies political polarization on a different level.

Religion and politics are like water and oil. They do not mix and must be kept separate.

George W. Bush made a comment worthy of repetition: You cannot lead a divided state. That was my problem with Richard Nixon. He divided the country. The leader’s job is to unite.”

There is another insanity which has become a fabric in our country. Republicans talking about how to resolve the gun issue. With each mass killing, they sing the same tune and do nothing. They will rue the day when one of their own family is killed.

It was midnight yesterday for Syracuse basketball this season. They lost decidedly to Houston 62-46.

Simply stated, Syracuse was not with it, did not have it.. Buddy Boeheim was guarded by one Houston player the whole game who hung to him like glue. Boeheim was out of step the whole game. Even missed some foul shots which his uncommon for him. Three’s, forget it. He made only 2 or 3.

Houston began the game fast. Ran up a 15 point lead almost immediately. Syracuse came back twice thereafter, but it was Houston’s game the last 10 minutes.

Sophmore Jesse Edwards is the Syracuse substitute at center. He played a hell of a game! At 6’11” he can block shots. Did so repeatedly.

The pros will be after Boeheim. If he remains, the team should be much better next season. Most of the players will be returning.

Syracuse has nothing to be ashamed of. Their record prior to the tournament poor. However their 2 victories in the tournament before going down to Houston redeemed them.

One of Key West’s most popular haunts is Captain Tony’s. Located on Greene Street, just off Duval. The original Sloppy Joe’s in the 1930s.

The building was constructed in 1852. Since that time besides being a bar, it was an ice house, city morgue, telegraph station, cigar factory, bordello, and gay bar. In addition several speakeasies specializing in gambling, women, and bootleg rum.

I mention Captain Tony’s this morning because of a piece of indoctrination I came across. I have always wanted to know what local places Harry Truman frequented. Still have not been able to ascertain. This morning, I read that Harry Truman and John F. Kennedy both visited Captain Tony’s.

An exciting day for me yesterday. Received my second vaccine shot.

Within a half hour, I became nauseous. Not overwhelmingly so. Uncomfortable a better description. I am still nauseous this morning. My arm where I received the shot is sore also.

Not complaining. Merely sharing.

The local gymnasium where I received the shot was much more crowded than when I got my first. I discussed it with one of those working. When I got my first shot, only first shots were given Yesterday was a combination of first and second shots.

I am excited. I’ve been told I should wait two weeks before going out. In two weeks I will be over 400 days of self-quarantine. I can’t wait!

Enjoy your Sunday!