A headline in this morning’s Miami Herald: “They Went To Find A Party Somewhere Else.” Who? The Spring Breakers. Turns out last night South Beach was quiet. Relatively deserted.

Where did the Spring Breakers go? I thought a few days ago when the 8 pm curfew was imposed was they would hurry to Key West. Appears I may be wrong. Unless they’re taking eh long way to here.

I woke 3 friends I know were out and about last night. Their responses the same. No appreciable difference re Spring Breakers from the night before. The anticipated Key West deluge had not occurred.

Hope it stays that way. There is always tonight and the rest of the week, however.

One of Key West’s favorite sons has been Tennessee Williams. A Key West resident from 1941-1983. I write about him bcause he was born on yesterday’s date in 1911.

Williams purchased his Key West home at 1431 Duncan Street in 1950. His home for 34 years.

Daughter Lisa lives on Duncan one and a half blocks down across the street.

Duncan today is not as it was in 1950 when Williams purchased his home.

Williams frequently told people he bought the home because of location. He could step out the front door into the water. There was no across the street at the time. Today the ocean is several blocks away.

The Williams home is as lovely today as when Williams lived there. Present owners maintain it as the item of beauty it was and is.

Another Key Wester of note was recently in the news. Stephen Mallory. On March 26, 1851 he was elected as a U.S. Senator from Florida.

Unfortunately, Mallory was an avowed racist. Someone commenting in Citizens’ Voice said, “He was on the wrong side of history and humanity.”

He was a prominent figure in the U.S. Congress. Became a recognized expert concerning Naval matters. Chaired the Senate Committee on Naval Affairs.

Came the Civil War, Florida seceded. Key West however remained loyal to the Union. Mallory opted to go with the South.

During the Civil War, he served as Secretary of the Navy under Confederate President Jefferson Davis.

At the end of he War, he was charged with treason and imprisoned. Served only one year. He was pardoned by then President Andrew Johnson.

The pardon barred him from ever holding public office again. He returned to Key West and successfully practiced law for the remainder of his life.

Key West maintains a Memorial Sculpture Garden located next to Mallory Square. Key West named the prominent ocean front location after him.

The Garden has the busts of 30 famous Key West persons. One is Mallory.

With this group and that taking down various monuments believed to have been improperly placed, why has anyone not ever removed Mallory’s? I do not recall the issue ever arising. I suspect a handful of other traitors are also honored in the Memorial Sculpture Garden.

Lincoln’s statues have been attacked several times in recent years. I reported yesterday the most recent. A person covered a statue of Lincoln in Boise with feces.

Talk has always circulated that Washington and Jefferson should not be honored as they owned slaves. And it goes on.

No statement is being made that Mallory’s bust be removed. I make only the observation concerning his activities during the Civil War.

What I am suggesting is what is good for the goose, should be good for the gander. Interpret the statement as you see fit.

Beginning monday, Monroe County school hours will change for some. The schools will return to a full 5 days of classes. Not mandatory that all attend. Those not wising can continue on a 3 day in class and the other 2 virtually at home.

I am excited. I get my second vaccine shot today.

From what I understand, it is wise to continue remaining at home for an additional 2 weeks. No problem. I have come this far. I can do it. Today is my 392nd day in self-quarantine.

Two weeks from tonight, I will be out and about. Hooray!

Syracuse/Houston tonight. Scheduled for 9:55 pm on CBS.

Syracuse won its first 2 games in the tournament although decided underdogs in each game. Underdogs again tonight. Houston the #2 seed whereas Syracuse the #11 seed.

Whatever happens, happens. I am thrilled we made it this far.

Biden keeps moving ahead with matters he said during the campaign he would.

An announcement re climate change was made yesterday. Biden has called a virtual conference for 2 days beginning April 22.He has invited 40 world leaders, including China and Russia.

Ted Cruz. He acts more and more each day like Donald Trump.

Cruz was at the border yesterday ranting and raving how terrible Biden was bcause of the way immigrant children without parents were being held.

He forgets what the children were subjected to under the Trump administration.

Cruz’s attire surprised me. He was dressed military style. Like many of those who attacked the Capitol January 6.

Enjoy your day!

What’s wrog with people? The number of crazies seems to be growing.

One of the latest incidents involves a purported BLM leader and former professor. He was arrested after an Abraham Lincoln statue was discovered smeared in feces and paint. The statue was one of Lincoln seated. Its location a public park in Boise, Idaho.

The perpetrator a Terry Wilson. The police spotted him. He tried to run away. However, the police caught him.

His vehicle was found to contain a firearm, marijuana, and drug paraphernalia.

Many blacks believe Lincoln was not without sin. They are keenly aware the Emancipation Proclamation only freed slaves in Confederate states. Lincoln feared they would be made to fight against the North.

Lincoln’s personal feelings re Blacks was well known at the time. Before and during the Civil war he had expressed himself re his adverse thoughts involving Blacks.

One is, “I can conceive of no greater calamity than the assimilation of the Negro into our social and political life as our equal.”

We are to quick in American society today to condemn what was consider valid when spoken, but is not so today. History is not stagnant. It is a moving story.

If we are going to find acceptable smearing a statue of Lincoln with feces, then we also should do the same to Washington’s Mount Vernon home and Jefferson standing in all his glory in the Jefferson Memorial.

Both were slave owners. Jefferson it is claimed even made pregnant a woman of color and their descendants are well known today.

Biden held his first official press conference yesterday. I thought he was terrific! Responded to each question, even where it was obvious the reporter was trying to sandbag him. Biden’s preparedness was obvious.

The reporters failed to distinguish themselves. Questions were repeated after answered. Reporters pushed when the question was so inappropriate that there was nothing to push.

I suspect one of the reasons for the poor questions and the manner asked was the age of most of the reporters. On the young side. Seeking a “gotcha” moment.

Biden looked like a President, acted like a President. He responded to questions knowledgeably.

At the end I felt comfortable. No one, whether a reporter or Kim Jung Un is going to rock his boat.

FOX News and Trump are birds of a feather. During Trump’s 4 years, I often thought FOX News bore the same degree of responsibility as Trump for spreading the distortion and lies of the truth.

Distortion was in vogue for FOX yesterday.

Trump had a 2 hole binder with him. He did not read from it. He did occasionally check to be sure his facts were to correct. FOX referred to the notebook as “cheat sheets.”

There is only one way for the filibuster to go. Out the door! Get rid of it!

Biden knows it, as does the rest of thinking Americans. Anything less than complete abdication of the filibuster will cause Biden to fail in producing that which is needed and he promised.

Reverting back to the old way and compelling long floor argument represents compromise. I understand the problems in getting around some members of his own party. He has to figure a way, however. He has been a member of Congress since he was 29. He knows all the tricks there are to know.

I hope he can get it done. Death to the filibuster a necessity.

McConnell evidenced this week that he is a cry baby. Though he cannot be accused of wetting his pants. At least, not yet. He told reporters the President has not spoken to him since he took office nor has he invited him to the White House.

It is obvious Trump knows his adversary. He has legislated with him more than 30 years. More importantly, he was Obama’s Vice-President for 8 years when McConnell did everything to block needed legislation supported by Obama. He jerked Obama around at every turn.

Biden obviously understands the axiom you can fool me once, but not a second time. Nothing wrong with Biden treating McConnell persona non grata.

Something I can understand. A University of California study was released this week. It reported that most Americans have gained 2 pounds a month during the pandemic.

I can understand. I gained no weight. However my stomach has gotten bigger while my pants have gotten smaller.

Tomorrow a big day for me! I get my second vaccine shot. It will also be my 392nd  self-quarantine day.

I do not plan going out tomorrow night. My understanding is one should wait 2 weeks before mingling with people again. I can handle another 2 weeks.

Cocktails at 7 is in Key West. All the way from Seattle, Washington. Unknown to me till she arrived yesterday. Sent me an e-mail that she had arrived, was staying at the Pier House, had a reservation for dinner there also.

Meet me, she said. No, I said. I did not intend to blow the more than one year of self-quarantine I had suffered. I have only 2 weeks to go till I’m with Willie Nelson on the road again!

Her name is Cathy Hakola. She lived in Key West in the late 1980s at the “haunted house on Virginia Street. The former “Mercedes Hospital” run by Maria Valdez de Gutsens.

Maria is long dead. The story however is she still walks the floors and rooms of the former hospital. People claim to have woken at night seeing her with a hand on their head or touching an arm. Once seen she is gone.

Cathy says she believes the story. However never was touched by nor saw the good Matron.

As to what she observed last night on Duval was not surprising to me. Two other persons have told me the same thing since last weekend.

The people on Duval were not just spring beakers. Cathy says 50 percent were people in their 50s.

More observation data. Only 10 percent of all on Duval were wearing masks. She and her daughter visited a couple of Duval lady attire shops. Bought several outfits. Masks required.

Cathy has had a good and expensive time so far. In less than 24 hours. We spoke on the phone this morning again.

She rented a car in Miami to drive down. She told me she had become aware of a car rental company called Turo. They rent cars personally owned a couple of days a week. She rented a red Mercedes convertible. Claims it was “adorable.” Sounds it. They drove to Key West with the top down all the way. Cost: $175 a day.

Staying at the Pier House. Six hundred some odd dollars a night.

Cathy has always wanted a Mel Fisher gold coin neck piece. A good one she always told me. I assume the one she bought last night was a good one. Cost: $6,000.

My friend Cathy is having a good time.

I recommended Latitudes for dinner tonight. She was told they were booked solid for 4 months. I believe it.

Enjoy your day!

God is in His Heaven. However, everything is not right in the world. All facets of life are troubled.

New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof in his column today wrote how screwed up religion itself is.

The article’s title: Progressive Christian America? Hallelujah!

He wrote concerning the values of two prominent religious leaders in America. Their thought processes diametrically opposed.

Pastor Rick Joyner is a prominent evangelical leader. Kristof described him as part of the Trumpian wing of evangelicalism. He quoted the Joyner statement “that Christians should acquire weapons to prepare for a civil war that is now inevitable.”

The Reverend William Barber is a leader of the Poor People’s Campaign. Kristof quoted a recent comment by Barber: “Some folks hijacked Christianity and decided that they were going  to put up a lot of money to promote the idea that to be a person of faith was to be anti-choice, anti-gay, pro-gun, pro-tax cut.” Barber described such as “theological malpractice.”

Today is the day. Biden’s first press conference. A little late by the standards of some. He has only been President 2 months. Such is not of concern to some.

The news conference will take place today at 1:15 pm.

Some things are never supposed to occur. However, they do. The most recent example being the container ship which is stuck in the Suez Canal. Apparently high winds and a dust storm responsible.

Been there a couple of days. Expected an additional 2-5 days to get it able to move.

The ship a long one. Described as high/long as the Empire State Building. That’s big! There are photos of the vessel all over the internet. It looks long! I don’t know if its length equal to the height of the Empire State Building. Seems exaggerated to me. Never the less, it’s a biggie!

On this day in 1954, RCA announced it had begun its production of color TV sets. Up to this time, TV sets were black and white.

I did not get to view a color TV till 3 years later in 1957. Very few persons had till that time.

It was my graduation day from Manhattan College in New York City. A family celebration dinner was held afterwards at the Stella D’Oro Restaurant. Stella D’Oro being the famous cookie maker at the time. The cookie company built a huge restaurant to the front of its production facility.

In addition to my parents, the dinner was attended by my wife to be and the family’s New York City relatives. My mother had grown up in New York City and her side of the family still resided there.

At some point during the dinner, everyone in the restaurant began running into the bar. Something was going on. I followed. The TV set was in color. I doubt any of us in the bar had seen a color television set before. Many oohs and aahs.

Exciting!

Late in the 1970s and into the early 1980s, Key West and the lower Keys in general were a haven for drug smugglers. Marijuana and cocaine.

Key West descriptively was referred to as “Smuggler’s Island.” In a newspaper account written in the early 1980s, Key West was described as “a paradise corrupted by dope.”

The drug smuggling of those days has been replaced with the smuggling of humans today.

Not a bad business to be in. Profitable. As good as drug smuggling. Big dollars to be made.

The going price paid to smugglers is $10,000 per person. Generally 20 at a time taken from Cuba to Keys’ shores.

Some smugglers get caught. It happened sunday.

Four smugglers were captured in Tavernier. They were arraigned monday in Federal Court in Key West. The charge: Knowingly and willfully conspiring to encourage and induce aliens to enter the United States.

Political corruption was involved in dru smuggling. Officials advised no such corruption involved with human trafficking in the Keys.

We all know what March Madness is. The Key West Citizen editorial page has come up with another cartoon exemplifying the cartoonist’s talent at his chosen profession.

Today’s carton is labeled: Everyday Madness. Contains brackets similar to those of March Madness. In place of the teams however are activities reflecting political life today. Some brackets labeled: No Masks, Spring Break, Q-Anon, GOP, COVID-19, vaccines, Proud Boys, and Antifa.

A fitting comment in today’s Citizens’ Voice: “Key West, did you see how the mayor of Miami responded to Spring Breakers, while we allow them to roll? Your inactions harm our local community, repeatedly.”

Smathers Beach was dedicated and named this day in 1946. The man honored was Florida Senator George Smathers.

Enjoy your day!

Child suicides have reached epidemic proportions. World wide. The cause the restrictions imposed because of COVID-19.

England appears to be studying the subject the most at this time. English physician David Greenhorn was interviewed by the Associated Press.

Dr. Greenhorn believes the epidemic is going unrecognized. Child suicide attempts have gone from a couple per week pre-pandemic to several a day.

As young as 8 year olds.

Dr. Greenhorn believes a year is a long time for a change in a child’s life pattern. Children get fed up. They are unable to see an end to the restrictions.

Dr. Greenhorn said with those 15 years and under, suicide attempts have gone from 20 per month to more than double that number. He also said, “We’re very surprised by the intensity of the desire to die among children 12-13 years old.”

His study revealed “children of 9” have “a genuine wish to end their lives.”

I am unaware as to the degree the matter is under consideration in the U.S. The problem cannot be an isolated one. Adds to the positivity of getting the kids back in school at this time.

Last week I appeared on Guy deBoer’s early morning talk show. The issue was children being held at the border more than 72 hours in violation of law. Biden has been trying to down play the problem as his people work hard on finding a solution. He has not held a press conference addressing the issue. Though it was advised last week that he would be holding one next week.

A concern has developed. The number of children is in the thousands.

The children must be taken care of. On the other hand, their immigrant contrast with that of my grandfather’s is eye opening. How could one generation of child immigrants land on American shores and take care of themselves without significant governmental assistance?

My grandfather’s name was Louis. I am named after him.

He arrived from Italy around 1900. He was 12 years old. A bastard in Italy. Knew neither his mother or father. Grew up on the streets of Naples.

He lost his papers. Immigrants wore papers which hung around their necks. Official type papers. My grandfathers were lost on the way over.

When he arrived at Ellis Island, it was discovered he had scarlet fever. The government had a hospital on Ellis Island to care, among other things, for those who arrived with contagious diseases. The reason humanitarian on the surface. The real reason in my grandfather’s case was the government wanted no one with a contagious disease to enter the country. Understandable.

My grandfather was in the Ellis Island Hospital 3 months. Then released.

Released to where and what? He could neither read nor write in Italian or English. He had little monies on him. He was aware of no relatives in the U.S.

I don’t know how, I don’t know why, but he made to Utica, N.Y. Two hundred forty miles north of New York City.

There he lived the rest of his life. Taught himself to read and write English. His penmanship beautiful. I always wished I could write as he did. Never did.

Utica was a cloth goods town. Primarily cotton. My grandfather worked in the largest Utica factory his entire life. He ultimately became supervisor of a large floor of workers. Which meant he went to work in a suit and tie. Less I forget, a vest also. Always wore s hat. Even while working.

He purchased a 6 family home. Married twice. His first wife died. He had 8 children between them.

He almost died in the flu epidemic of 1918-1919. A religious story for another time.

With no help. he achieved a degree of success. Never became a millionaire or anywhere close. However got along.

Why did my grandfather succeed with little help and much more is required to assist those coming across the southern border today? Maybe we try to provide too much assistance. I don’t know.

What I do know is my grandfather was not the only one coming into the U.S. in 1900. The Italians came in droves. As did the Irish before them. Most made a good life for themselves without all the immigration problems confronting the U.S. today.

Two days in one week of massive shootings in the U.S. Eight in Atlanta Asian massage parlors, 10 in a Boulder supermarket.

I watched a Senate Committee yesterday discuss the subject. The usual ranting and raving from both sides.

The problem is a very old one in the U.S. What I heard yesterday was the same I have been hearing the past 20 years.

I do not know if the problem will ever be solved.

George Segal died yesterday. An actor. He was 87 years old.

He played serious and humorous parts.

He was nominated for Best Supporting Actor in Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf. He played Alfred “Pope” Solomon on the Goldbergs.

His movie performance I enjoyed the most was the 1973 movie Blume in Love. All his artistic talents were required for the job. A sensitive portrayal of a man whose wacky wife leaves him and he chases her all over the world seeking reconciliation. Finally achieved yeas later.

May he rest in peace.

Iceland had a surprise last weed. There is a volcano located about 20 miles from Iceland’s capital city Reykjavik. It had been dormant for 6,000 years. It exploded last week.

Relatively small, it was not a danger to the capital or any surrounding towns. However it spewed flames, lava and smoke for several days. The lava flows extended 1,600 feet.

You never know when!

Big weekend coming up for Syracuse. The Sweet Sixteen. The sportscasters have begun with their predictions. Sixteen teams will be involved. I suspect Syracuse will not move seed wise. Probably seeded 10 or 11.

No one believes in Syracuse. My faith however has been renewed. Go ‘Cuse!

Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou last night.I enjoyed doing the show. Covered everything that could be fit into one half hour.

Enjoyed myself.

Enjoy your day!

Spent yesterday morning from 8 to noon undergoing some medical tests and blood work. Part of my annual heart check up. No time for the blog. By the time I researched and wrote it, it would have been 5 or 6 in the late afternoon.

Ergo, today a Morning Blog. My attempt to cover 2 days in 1. No order. You get my notes in the order they are stacked on my desk.

Enjoy!

Monopoly seems to have lasted a lifetime. Still ongoing. Remember from my youth. Played the game for generations with friends, my parents, my children, and my grandchildren.

The game will never die. Some variations have come out over the years. A new Key West Monopoly set will be available for purchase in the fall. In time for Christmas.

Casey Arnold is a Key West businessman. He came up with the idea of a Key West game. He contacted Hasboro Gaming who owns the rights to the Monopoly game. He received permission to proceed.

The new game is basically the same as the old. It will reflect Key West, however. Tokens will include a Kino sandal, slice of Key Lime pie, rooster, conch shell, manatee, and fishing boat.

No question. Most of us will be playing Monopoly again. For me, with Robert and Ally.

A South Beach update.

First, a possible murder. Two North Carolina men and a Pennsylvania woman. The two men raped the woman. She later died in her hotel room. It is claimed the two men gave her a pill before raping her.

The men were aged 21 and 24. The woman 24.

The men have been arrested.

I received a call yesterday from a friend. She wanted to share what she was seeing in South Beach.

Tons of people. Thought City government did the right thing in imposing the 8 o’clock curfew. Things were getting out of hand. A riot was inevitable.

The surprise was that the partiers were not college kids alone. Most were young adults. Those already out of school. Described to me as “young professionals.”

Interesting.

Filibuster. Biden has to get rid of it. I keep repeating myself.

He will have to crawl before he walks. First, a return to a Senator having to stand and argue his position for hours.

A few months later, a better way. Get rid of it in its entirety. By that time, Biden will have secured the support of the two recalcitrant Democrats or picked up some Republican Senators.

Biden and he country need the filibuster gone. Otherwise much needed legislation will move. McCullough will have succeeded “in scorching the earth.”

The word filibuster is derived from a Dutch reference to pirates. Evidence of its evil beginnings.

Filibuster became popular in the U.S. in the 1850s. I suspect because of the slavery issue at the time.

It has been used since in order to prevent action on a bill on the Senate floor.

There was a time when U.S. budgets were in the hundreds of thousands. Then millions. Followed by billions. Now, trillions!

Wow!

The recent stimulus package which has become law was $1.9 trillion. Talk now is of a $3 trillion infrastructure bill.

The condition of the U.S. economy today requires America to spend overwhelming dollars. The only way to stave off a recession.

Infrastructure is the best way to proceed. The money will create tons of jobs. Employment will rise dramatically. People will have money in their pockets to spend for items not necessary for survival/basics.

Biden has an immigration problem of magnitude on his hands. Especially involving children without parents. Now in excess of 3,000.

He thus far has played the game of blocking out news re the problem. I don’t blame him. However not healthy for the U.S. nor Biden.

The press have been a problem. They want access and ability to obtain news re the immigration children. Biden has been polluting press access. His conduct not one of transparency.

Critical though I am, I believe he will turn the problem around. Access however should be available even before he achieves his goal.

Mask wearing continues to be a problem. Many did not and do not want to wear them. Thank you, Donald. Government officials cater to their desires. The laws re masks are generally permitted to be flouted.

DeSantis advised last week he was not only opening Florida to businesses, he was also exempting old and new fines re failure to wear a mask.

Prior to DeSantis’ remarks, the Key West police were doing a better job re the masks. Giving out tickets. They stopped however based on DeSantis deciding the fines were not collectible.

Now no  one wears a mask. Not quite accurate. A mere handfull at any given time.

The Citizens’ Voice carried an interesting comment re the situation in this morning’s newspaper: “It appears that on the one-year anniversary of the lock down, St. Patrick came and drove the masks out of Key West.”

Last week, 8 killed in Atlanta. Yesterday, 10 in Boulder. A gun problem unquestionably. I continue to wonder if we as a people are ever going to get the gun issue under control.

I thought progress was being made. The NRA had been weakened. However, then came January 6. Even I who have never handled a gun or cared to, wondered if maybe this was the time for me to carry.

If January 6 was reflective of what is to come, then I need to protect myself. The issue of personal survival now part of the mix.

A thought concerning the Asian women murdered in Atlanta.

Respectfully, I thought any Asian problem in the U.S. ended with World War II. Never heard of any since, except those Trump motivated against China.

With the shootings, groups, organisations, and individuals have come out of the shadows and advising how horrific it has been for Asian women. The racism ran deep.

Glad they were there to tell us who were unaware. They should have been more vocal, if at all, before the Atlanta deaths.

Such is not the point I wish to make however. It is with the massage parlors themselves. Generally advertising Asian women inside. Publically known Asian women were the workers. Most if not all knew or suspected the massage parlors were dens of inequity.  Whore houses. Brothels.

A parlor provides “massage services for a fee.” As early as the 19th century, it became common knowledge the massage parlors were being used as a “euphemism for a brothel.”

In 2019, the Polaris Project estimated there were 9,000 massage parlors in the U.S.providing sexual services. “Full services” and “rub and Tug” available. The latter referring to only hand jobs being offered.

A 2011 study in New York city reported the “house fee” paid up front to the “mama-san” was $60 to $100 per visit. An extra $40 was required to be paid to the sex worker for a massage and “happy ending.” Oral and full service required an additional fee on top of the $40.

The massage parlors run like the whore houses in days old run by the Mafia. Girls are moved from one massage parlor to another for variety and safety purposes. A raided massage parlor reopened within a few days under a new corporation. The corporate trail made it virtually impossible to trace ownership.

My criticism once again is simple. Those now arguing in support of their Asian sisters should have been out there years ago arguing that their people were being used as prostitutes in the slave trade. Why weren’t they?

Their may be one explanation. They knew these women were working in the trade because they needed the money. To support themselves and their families. The apple cart was not to be turned over less the ladies not have a source of income to provide a somewhat decent life.

Key West has 2 Asian type parlors that I am aware of. I mentioned this 2 years ago in a blog. All of a sudden 2 appeared in Key West. One on Duval and the other on the corner of U.S. 1 and Eisenhower. Still there. Names Asian Massage Key West and Island Massage Spa.

On this day in 1775, Patrick Henry before the Virginia Provincial Convention spoke, “Give me liberty, or give me death.”

Syracuse, my Syracuse! I spent the season crying and moaning how terrible we were doing. Kept saying the best material ever player wise, but not getting it together.

Richard Nixon when discussing an election, said the campaign must peak as election day is reached.

Syracuse seems to be peaking. Wow!

First, I was shocked the team even got into the NCAA Tournament. Further shocked when I saw they were a #11 seed in the Midwest Region. Not bad.

Syracuse’s first game was against # 6 seed Sand Diego State. Syracuse won.

The next game this weekend pitted Syracuse against #3 seed West Virginia. Syracuse won.

Syracuse plays in the Sweet Sixteen this weekend.

They look terrific. Especially Buddy Boeheim. He has really come out. His shooting fantastic. He has scored 30 and 25 points in the 2 games mentioned.

I became irritated before the West Virginia game sunday night. In the pre-game show, the sportscasters analyzed the pending game. Gave all of 15 seconds to Syracuse. Spent several minutes thereafter talking about how good West Virginia was, that they should have been the #1 seed rather than #3, etc. Syracuse forgotten.

I do not know where Syracuse is going from this point forward. I hope their peaking continues. It would be nice to go to the Final Four once again. Even better, to win the whole thing.

I have tons more of notes. Blog already too long. I may be able to use some in tomorrow’s blog.

Tonight my blog talk radio show. Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. Nine my time. Join me. I rant and rave. Love it! www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou.

Enjoy your day!

The barbarians were not stopped at the gates of Miami. An uncontrollable mob. Miami Beach was the place to be this season. The spring breakers came in droves. More than anticipated, more than ever before.

Short of a death occurring, all has been bad. So bad that Mayor Dan Gelber announced a new curfew yesterday. Eight o’clock in the evening. The party over at that time. Bars closed. Students relegated to their hotels. God help the hotels!

Thursday and Friday fights occurred in some South Beach hotels. Tables, chairs and other items of furniture used in the melee. Damage done.

I can only imagine what last night was.

In addition to the South Beach 8 pm curfew, the causeway was shuttered. Cars stopped by police. Only those with homes or hotel reservations permitted through. The rest turned away.

The best way to understand what was occurring is contained in the words of Miami Mayor Gelber when he announced the 8 pm curfew yesterday: The crowds were “more than we could handle.” The spring breakers came “without intention of following the rules.” The result “a level of chaos and disorder that is just something more than we can endure.”

Referring to the two previous nights, “it feels like a rock concert, wall-to-wall people over blocks and blocks.” South Beach “feels like a tinder, it feels like just any match could set it off.”

The police are in danger of being “overwhelmed.”

A “state of emergency” is declared.

The purpose of the curfew and causeway restrictions were to protect the community from personal and physical damage. A further consideration was COVID-19. No social distancing. Too many people. Crowds jammed together. A coronavirus field day in the making!

I compliment Mayor Gelber. Only a few days earlier, Governor DeSantis had lifted all restrictions on businesses and other activities. Also advised fines would be waved for those who received tickets for failing to wear masks.

Mayor Gelber stood up against higher authority in order to do the right thing. His attitude my town, my way. An attitude required against the most inept governor in America. A man who followed Trump religiously. A person who has permitted vaccine be given to his rich and wealthy donors, while others went without. A man who has screwed up the Florida distribution of the vaccine royally.

Now to what I perceive will be the end of this dilemma. Key West will be invade next!

Do you think these young adults are going to remain in Miami if they have to be home by 8. Mom and dad never imposed such a ridiculous curfew on them.

They came to Miami to have fun. If not Miami, somewhere else. Key West the logical destination. A mere 140 miles away.

Over one of the 3 day holiday vacations this past year, things were getting out of hand in Miami. The city was effectively closed down.

The students were not to be dissuaded. The y came for fun and were going to have fun. The cry went up…..Key West, an open city!

They came in unexpected droves. Our police authorities handled the problem well. This time however the crowds might be just too big to control.

Key West has a problem. Its normally sensible bar, restaurant and business people have deviated from good judgment during the crisis. They have fought state wide and locally for business to go on as usual. Local elected officials have had a hard time protecting their interests and those of the rest of the community. In a few instances, the Key West City Commission has acted above and beyond. In most however, sucked up to the money people in this town.

Key West’s Mayor Teri Johnston and the City Commission are going to have their hands full the next two weeks. Extraordinary steps will be required to stop and/or keep the hordes under control. It may not be possible.

Interestingly, I spoke at length re the problems the spring beakers would bring to Key West this year. I spelled out in my blog talk radio show Tuesday night that Miami had a midnight curfew running to 6 in the morning. I doubted the college students would be happy about it. They would not. That is their nature. And probably the way many Americans think today. Feel they can do what they want. This is a free country. Rules do not apply to them.

Ergo, onward to Key West! The open city. The cops won’t bother them.

May they find a surprise in store for them.

One last item. A further comment by Mayor Gelber. He blames among others the airlines’ recent cheap flights program: “Last month you could get here from Philadelphia, New York, or Chicago for $50 round trip.”

A separate issue. The Miami Herald reorted yesterday that Key West has decided not to enforce its strict ordinance requiring people to wear masks in public.

This was a day or two before the Miami problem began occurring.

Miami-Dade County did the same thing several days ago. Then on thursday Miami announced its police would resume enforcing a mask and curfew law despite Governor DeSantis’ Executive Order opening Florida businesses 100 percent and  canceling payment of mask fines.

An example of standing up to superior authority when that authority is blatantly wrong.

The Key West police are handling the mask problem differently. They will ask those not wearing masks to wear them. If the people refuse, the police will walk away. No attempt will be made to enforce Key West’s mask ordinance in view of Governor DeSantis’ Executive Order.

What will the police do the next few days when the anticipated Miami onslaught arrives?

Now to the important. Syracuse/West Virginia at 5:40 this afternoon. March Madness at its finest on CBS.

Enjoy your Sunday!

The world is learning. America has a new leader and he is not a Donald Trump. The new Sheriff in town is Joe Biden.

Some people are complaining. Claiming Biden already is making trouble for the U.S. with Russia and China. Biden referred to Putin as a killer. The meeting with Chinese and American representatives this past week in Anchorage found both sides playing diplomatic hard ass. No name calling, however.

Better Biden openly acknowledged Putin a killer. He is. His track record in this regard clear.

I don’t know why China has a hair up its derriere. My gut feeling is China is testing the waters as regards Biden. Let’s see how tough he is type thing.

I am an expert at falling. I have many times in the past few years. I now require use of a cane. And I still fall, though much less.

Biden fell friday. Going up the steps of Air Force One. He apparently stubbed his toe on a step, fell forward, grabbed the handrail, went to pull himself up and fell again.

Got up and finished the step climbing with no problem. No injury involved.

He subbed his toe? Who has not?

Trump and Republicans are making a big deal of it. Trump especially. He who has been the biggest clown to ever sit in the White House has been tweeting negatively about Biden’s fall. Making fun of the President.

One tweet has Biden stumbling down the steps of Air Force One. Another also prepared by Trump has Biden being knocked over by a golf shot Trump’s father had just made.

Another tweet joked Biden needed a “Chair Force One.” A stair lift to help him up the steps.

The arrogance and poor taste of Trump. On the other hand, could less have been expected of him?

There was a case similar to Brown v. Board of Education 69 years before Brown. Brown was decided in 1954. The case I am referring to in 1885.

The Asian racial situation coming to light motivated me to do some research about Asians and their problems generally in the U.S. I came upon the case in question.

An 8 year old Chinese-American girl in 1885 helped desegregate San Francisco schools. The issue discrimination against an Asian-American girl.

Her name Mamie Tape.

One significant difference between Tape and Brown. Tape was finally decided in the California Supreme Court whereas Brown in the U.S. Supreme Court.

It was September 1884. Mamie’s parents were prosperous. Her father a very successful businessman. Their home in a very affluent neighborhood. Though Chinese, the family well respected and part of San Francisco society.

Mamie was born in the U.S. Her parents, immigrants. She was raised similar to an affluent white young lady.

The school of choice for affluent persons was Spring Valley Primary School. Mamie’s mother attempted to enroll Mamie. Never gave any thought she would be rejected.

Principal Hurley refused to accept Mamie citing scholar board policy against admitting Chinese children. Anti-Chinese sentiment was running high at the time. Chinese were assumed to be incapable of assimilating to mainstream American culture. Note Mamie’s parents and their family were totally westernized in language, dress and lifestyle.

Suit was filed against the Principal Hurley and the San Francisco Board of Education. The case was ultimately decided by the California Supreme Court one year later. Mamie won! The Court holding the Constitution’s “separate but equal” clause had no application.

Mamie was permitted to enter the previously all white school. Not just Mamie. The decision in her case applied to all San Francisco children. Chinese students from that point forward were admitted to all San Francisco schools.

Mamie’s decision did not seem to have any impact on other states.

I wonder if Mamie’s decision had any influence on Brown v. Board of Education. Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court at the time was Earl Warren. He previously had been Governor of California and a California prosecutor before becoming Governor.

Warren ran for the Republican nomination for President against Eisenhower. Eisenhower beat him. When the Chief Justice vacancy arose on the U.S. Supreme Court, Eisenhower nominated Warren.

Could Warren’s California experience with Mamie’s decision have influenced his thinking in arriving at the decision the full Supreme Court did in Brown? It has been mentioned historically that Warren pushed for the decision in Brown. Insisted it had to be a unanimous one. Convinced his fellow Justices there could be no other  decision.

Donald may be having financial problems. Could be. I suspect so.

Trump’s personal jet prior to becoming President a 757. Those were his glory days.

The glory days may be gone and the 757 with them.

The 757 sits in an airport in Orange County 60 miles north of New York City. The plane is need of extensive repairs. Big dollars involved.

The plane has not been flown at all since Trump left the White House. For his trips back and forth from Palm Beach Airport to La Guardia he uses his smaller 1997 Cessna 750 Citation X. Nowhere fashioned in gold as the 757. Trump even had 24 carat gold plated seat buckles on the 757.

I was thrilled beyond expectations last night. Stayed up till midnight watching the Syracuse/San Diego game. The first night of March Madness in Indianapolis.

San Diego State was favored. Syracuse destroyed them. With class! Seventy eight to sixty two.

Syracuse’s 2-3 zone defense worked all night. San Diego I suspect had never run into a zone defense before. They could not penetrate, get the ball in the center. They were relegated to taking 3 pointers which eventually did not fall. Embarrassingly so.

Buddy Boeheim excelled again. Scored 30 points.  Sixteen consecutive points in the first half. At a time when San Diego scored not one point and Boeheim was the only Syracuse player who did score. He made 6 of 8 shots from the field.

Syracuse’s next game is Sunday at 5:15 pm. Syracuse plays West Virginia. Will Syracuse win again? I don’t know. What I do know is Syracuse played as close to a perfect game last night as can be played.

Go ‘Cuse!

One week from today I get my second vaccine shot. I am thrilled. Two weeks later I hope to be out on the road again.

Enjoy your day!

Not even close to his first hundred days and President Biden is performing big time and speaking truth to the American people.

Refreshing!

Biden said he would see that 100 people would receive the vaccine in his first hundred days. He is scheduled to announce today that number has been reached. Forty seven days early.

At some point, Biden will have to deal right on with the filibuster. And he will. America cannot permit a Senate procedure which has past its time to stop him. Especially in days of many needs.

The Republicans will receive an epiphany. They will claim surprise. However, it is obvious they know it’s coming.

This week Biden called Putin a “killer.” Something  Trump was reluctant to do. Whatever wrongdoing Putin was guilty of at a particular time, Trump would say I asked him and he said he didn’t do it.

Some day the world will learn why Trump bought Putin’s lies. It will have to involve women and money.

Florida’s Department of Health has removed from its daily COVID report the number of people who received their second shots.

Florida claims its actions lie withing CDC guidelines. Moderna requires the second shot on the 28th day following the first. Pfizer on the 21st day.

The CDC recently advised those days are not rigid. There is flexibility involved. Can be late. The CDC however did not spell out how late.

DeSantis’ people said if the second shot day is not fixed and rigid, we do not have to report it all. And thusly was the decision made by Florida.

DeSantis and many others in this country forget a most important thing Fauci said: We are in “a race between vaccine and the virus.” One would think every elected official would recognize and move their asses with regard to vaccine shots.

Republican Senator Rand Paul is an obstructionist, a know it all and a pain in the ass. He also is a doctor. An ophthalmologist.

He never agrees with Fauci. Fauci rarely agrees with him. They frequently have words during Committee hearings where Fauci is speaking. It was face to face bickering yesterday. The issue mask wearing.

Rand told Fauci masks were not needed. He believes people are not a at the risk of COVID after they have recovered or have been vaccinated. Rand said it was all “theater.”

Fauci strongly responded: “Masks are not theater. I totally disagree with you.”

Fauci explained science believes the vaccine is good for 6 months. Not sure after that. One reason to keep wearing a mask. The other are the variants that are popping up. No one is sure how the virus will react to a variant. Another reason to continue wearing a mask.

Rand continued to disagree again claiming there was “virtually zero percent chance of anyone getting COVID-19 if recovered or received the vaccine.”

Pope Francis. One terrific person! Much like Biden. Francis has half the Church hierarchy against him.

It was on this day in 2013 that Francis officially began his ministry as the Catholic Church’s 266th Pope.

May God continue to help him in holding off the hordes of troublemakers he has to deal with on a daily basis.

An interesting piece of information. The Brooking Institute claims there were 300,000 fewer births in the U.S. in 2021. The reason coronavirus. It was noted that in Planned Parenthood’s recent fiscal year, it performed 354,871 abortions.

The Monroe County Commission is to be complimented. Actually, cheered! They voted to stand with Key West in its cruise ship problem.

The bubbas and business people claim the people want bigger ships and more ships visiting Key West. Of course, their pocketbooks are invcolved.

They have exerted their “influence” in getting the State legislature to introduce and presently have moving through committees a bill that would permit the State to preempt the recent vote by Key Westers to limit size and number of ships.

In the election, Key Westers voted in 3 referendums by more than 60 percent each for the limitations.

The State is wrong re the preemption issue. The bubbas and business people likewise. Though i can understand their position. Their pocketbooks are at stake.

An interesting article in the Key West Citizen this morning. The question was raised asking how the restaurant business has been doing since COVID-19 hit. The surprising answer, 8 new restaurants opened.

Would you believe!

Good for the new owners. They may have properly seen the future and took the gamble.

I wish each good luck. Once my quarantine is behind me, I have 8 new restaurants to try,

The Key West Art and Historical Society is to be complimented. Its curator Cori Convertino is to receive special recognition.

A new exhibit opens today. The History of Duval Street. It will run through August.

Exciting! Can’t wait to view the exhibit. After my self-quarantine ends, of course.

On this day in 1949, Harry Truman left Key West after a 2 week vacation at The Little White House.

The 11 trips and 175 days he spent in Key West speaks well for the community. Truman had to like more than the accommodations beach. He had to be enamored with the people. Their uniqueness.

March Madness is here!

Syracuse opens tonight against San Diego State. San Diego had a great season and is favored. It is the #6 seed in the Midwest Region. Syracuse the #11 seed.

The game will be carried on CBS at 9:40 this evening. Hope I can stay awake to watch the whole game. Hope Syracuse wins!

Go “Cuse!’

Enjoy your day!

Giving hurricanes names began during World War II. The Army and Navy began assigning the names of their wives and girl friends. Before then, hurricanes were named for the place or date or both of where and when the hurricane occurred. Labor Day Hurricane of 1935 an example.

Exclusive use of female names continued to 1978. Gender equality arrived. Hurricanes began being named with male and female names.

Greek names came into play when the allotted proper names for a season were used up, Greek names were added. Think about it. The Greek names generally come into play near the end of the hurricane season. Proper first and then Greek names.

The World Meteorological Organization is responsible for hurricane naming. It has decided Greek names/letters are too confusing. They recently announced that henceforth the Greek alphabet would no longer be used. The official death notice.

One problem. The Organization failed to advise the source of names to be used in replacing the Greek ones. We will probably learn as late season hurricanes occur this year. The naming may be the first notice.

Governor DeSantis full of surprises. Generally neither advantageous nor helpful to Floridians.

DeSantis announced yesterday that Florida would not be receiving Johnson & Johnson vaccine for several weeks. Later defined as 2-3 weeks.

The reason not made clear. DeSantis advised that reasons “beyond our conrol” were involved. Is he hiding something? He has been known to do so.

FEMA was contacted by the media. A FEMA representative advised Florida had received 6,000 doses of Johnson & Johnson last week. Received at the Jacksonville site. However, the FEMA representative further advised  vaccine availability in Florida is expected to run out shortly.

He further explained that the 6,000 was the last shipment till the State says otherwise. Suggesting the problem was with the State.

Florida coronavirus cases now total 1,981,024.

The State reported that the average number of new cases and deaths for last week were 4,491 new and 82 deaths per day.

State reporting is sneaky. Skill involved in the wording of the report. Note in the first set of figures that what initially appears as a whole week is in actuality “per day.”

Huge amounts of government spending has been involved in fighting COVID-19. Necessarily so. It’s war time. Funds in whatever amounts needed must be provided.

An interesting article this week noted that monies expended thus far totaled $6 trillion. Broken down, it represents enough money to give every taxpayer $41,870. If broken down so each American was counted rather than taxpayers, the amount would be $18,181.

COVID has required a speedy monies blowout in roughly one year. However spend we must till coronavirus is defeated, less it defeat us.

A significant number of $1,400 stimulus checks were direct deposited yesterday at 9 am. A few earlier.

I did not get mine. Whereas I previous received the $2,000 and $600 checks day one.

I suspect there are many as I.

A bureaucrat said those who failed to receive would in “coming weeks.” Made it sound like most had been paid. Understanding government and money, the “coming weeks” could be months. Note that just less than 9 million eligible Americans failed to receive the $2,000 checks in the first payout and are still waiting. Forgotten a better word.

I suspect the problem arises out of new steps added last year to determine who would get deposits first. Receiving $1,400 deposit in similar fashion as with the two previous stimulus checks was no more. The only condition then was direct deposit of a person’s Social Security check. I get my Social Security monies monthly that way.

No one is talking about the utilization of Social Security as a guide to depositing the new check utilizing the two methods previously used.

The problem arises because of something that was added during the Tump administration as to the pecking order for direct deposits. A person had to file a defiler, whatever that is. This is all confusing. The defiler or I guess check a box on a tax return advising you want your stimulus check direct deposited.

These two new groups have received their direct deposits to the tune $2.42 billion this week. Ninety million received the deposits.

There have to be millions of me. Those who do not file tax returns and have never “defiled.” Why was the system changed? When are my group who were first before going to receive payment?  Why the change at all? Was it Trump who made the change? If so, why?

Deposits and checks are going to continue to go out. Though again, I could find no listing for my kind of people. The forgotten ones this time around.

A screw job.

Biden and the Democrats should stop delaying with getting rid of the filibuster. The only way to get needed legislation passed swiftly and efficiently is for Biden and the Democrats to control. If they do good, the people will reelect them. If not, the Republicans will have their opportunity to show Americans they are the A team.

Manchin and Sinema are the bad guys here. Not the Republicans. Out of nowhere they have come to be Senate powerhouses. Biden should make sure neither gets money the Senators are seeking for their states. Then let the citizens of West Virginia and Arizona get on the backs of Manchin and Sinema. Cooperation will soon follow.

McCullough’s threat of a scorched earth should not be of concern. The Republicans have been scorching the earth for 10 years. America will survive. Though I do not believe McCullough could accomplish what he threatens.

Lynda Frechette came up with more goodies in her St. Patrick Day’s blog. Described as Irish Craic and Humor. One, “It doesn’t matter how big your house is, how much money you have, or that you wear expensive clothes. Our graves will be the same size. Stay humble.”

My leg is better. No pain yesterday and none so far today.

The doctor first suspected a blood clot or small fracture. Testing revealed neither. He was in a quandary. I was also. He said go to bed and elevate your left leg for 3 hours. Then elevate it again and as many times as you can. Oh, and take 2 Tylenol.

I have only taken 2 Tylenol.

The problem evidenced itself 2/27. It took till 3/17 to go away. I was in extreme pain most days. Acute.

I followed the doctor’s orders. Stayed in bed with my foot elevated . Pain began to diminish 2/12. Still stayed in bed. Out of bed only to go to the bathroom or downstairs for some food.

I am a happy camper today. May I stay so. Thank you for the many kind notes and phone calls.

I am still in self-quarantine. Three hundred seventy eight days. My second vaccine shot the 27th.

I am back to another doctor today. My heart doctor, Dr. McIvor.  A series of annual tests in order. Overdue. One later this morning. One monday. And others to follow. Don’t get nervous with the heart tests. Merely precautionary. If something new is discovered, I will then get nervous.

Enjoy your day!

Everyone is Irish today. It’s St. Patrick’s Day!

The wearin’ of the green. Even I am in green. I dug out an old green tee shirt and am wearing it as I write.

Think about it. Today’s title fits: From a Saint and Snakes in Ireland to Parades and Drinking Green Beer.

I am going to share some tidbits of information concerning St. Patrick and the holiday. Some you may know, or think you know. Others not and will be surprised.

St. Patrick was not Irish. If one goes way back, he has been described as Italian born as a Roman. Some say he is of English birth since when captured at 16 he was living in England. One thing is sure, he was not born in Ireland.

St. Patrick’s Day was not always a big party. Not even a parade. Initially considered a celebration. It was a Catholic feast day. The first largely public celebration occurred in Boston in 1737.

Note again, no parade involved. Merely a party of sorts.

Now for the real confusion.

Confusion arises in trying to accurately determine  the date of the first parade and why March 17 is the day we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.

Repeating myself, the first celebration was in 1737.

The date of the first parade claimed by a number of communities. St. Augustine, Florida 1601. New York City 1762. New York City again 1776.

March 17 is also significant for other claims. His date of capture 432 A.D. His date of death 461 A.D.

All of the preceding have been claimed as having occurred on March 17 and such is the reason St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated on March 17. Obviously no one is sure why.

St. Patrick, the shamrock and the Irish are interrelated. Legend has it that Saint Patrick used the shamrock to describe the idea of God as a Holy Trinity. Three leaves on a normal shamrock. God consisting of Three Persons.

St. Patrick wore blue. Never green. People started cloaking images of him in green in the 19th century. For purposes of celebration and to commemorate St. Patrick’s use of the shamrock.

Snakes were never driven out of Ireland by St. Patrick or anyone else. There never were any snakes in Ireland. The snakes are actually a metaphor for the pagans St. Patrick drove out of Ireland.

There are more Irish in the U.S. today than in Ireland. Significantly more. The present U.S. population of those of Irish descent is 35 million. Ireland’s population is only 4 million.

The river running through Chicago is always green for St. Patrick’s day. Huge amounts of green coloring are hosed into the water. The greening of the river began in 1962.

I watched it being done yesterday in Chicago this morning on TV. Relatively large tug type vessel. Celebrants on board already partying one day early.

Corned beef and cabbage is a popular Irish tradition. Each year it is estimated 26 billion pounds of beef and 2 billion pounds of cabbage will be consumed worldwide. Also consumed worldwide will be 13 million pints of Guinness beer.

The one source considered accurate re Saint Patrick’s life is a work by St. Patrick himself wrote in the last years of his life. Confessio.

Normally I would be running around Key West tonight looking for an empty table to have corned beef and cabbage. Donna, Terri and I become a three some for dinner. Not tonight, of course. I still do not have my third shot and even if I did. there are too many virus carrying visitors in town.

Every restaurant will have excellent corned beef and cabbage. I happen to love corned beef. Especially when fatty. Last year, I began frequenting Shanna Key on Flagler one night a week. A true Irish restaurant, Shanna Key has corned beef and cabbage on the menu every night. I recommend it.

Enjoy your St. Patrick’s Day. I will be spending my evening home in front of the TV set probably eating a ham and cheese sandwich. I might sneak a Beefeater in.