Things have gone from bad to worse. Worse is going to worst.

Trump either cannot see or does not care what the effects of his governing wrought. Ability to purchase food for example is getting beyond the capabilities of many of Americans. It will continue to get bad. Minimal temporary relief will be available when the new stimulus package finally becomes law. Then what?

My intent is to zero on one issue in this blog: A food shortage. Basically beginning with where we are, how the problem will develop, and finish by joining the problem with Charles Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities.

Ryan Cooper wrote an article on the issue in the 8/14/20 edition of The Week titled: Are Bread Riots Coming To America?  I shall be sharing paraphrased parts of the article in combination with my thoughts.

The new stimulus package is desperately needed. With the House and Senate home campaigning, nothing may happen till September. Trump does not seem to care whether it ever becomes law. He eats every day and has a roof over his head.

More people with fewer dollars will be the picture this month. The stimulus dollars have stopped till a new bill becomes law. Such means more will be without sufficient funds to feed their families.

The present recession is moving rapidly to becoming greater than the Great Depression.

So many need the stimulus benefits. In addition to Washington not resolving the problem, state bureaucracies are so swamped they are not processing unemployment benefits timely at their end.

A double whammy to many who need governmental funds to survive.

Does the present situation lend itself to food protests and riots? Soon. Seattle, Portland, Washington D.C. and New York City will look like kid stuff.

Many people are down to their last dollar or flat broke, facing eviction or living on the streets, unable to afford vital prescriptions and food.

Many cupboards are already bare, children eating neither frequently nor properly.

The U.S. is at the tip of the iceberg. Ready to topple.

Millions were left out of the initial CARES Act rescue.

With the new stimulus bill sitting in limbo, the numbers are chilling. Twelve percent of households are regularly short of food, 21 percent of renters behind in payments, 28 percent of children living in households with one or the other problem.

The longer it takes to get the new stimulus package out, the worse it will get.

What happens when the new stimulus runs out? Will there be another? Or will Trump and a number of Republican Senators renew their I don’t care attitudes.

The situation will quickly develop into one where the government has the monies to help, can’t agree on how much, etc. and nothing gets done.

Initially there will be food available at the farms and in meat packing houses. No way will be available to get the food to market, however. Super market shelves will go bare. Because people will not be able to be payed and/or people will not have money to make purchases, the farmers will stop farming, the meat packing houses close, and the super markets go out of business. The whole system will die.

Greece of 10 years ago all over again.

Which brings to mind the French Revolution which began in 1789. A starving people rose up in fury and overthrew the government.

Charles Dickens in A Tale Of two Cities described the situation well. One which could occur here.

Legend has it that when Marie Antoinette was told the poor had no bread, she responded: “Let them eat cake.”

She did not care. Her comment was an invitation to revolt. The people did. She lost her head.

Trump does not care for the people, his people. It would be typical of Trump to say something like let them eat bread.

Trump would not lose his head. He would lose the election, however. Typical. He has been a consistent loser.

If Trump were to lose the election and refuse to leave the White, such would be the last straw. People would storm the White House as the French did the Bastille.

Enjoy your day!

Paraphrasing Matthew 21:16…..From the mouths of babes comes truth.

This video a perfect example of a child speaking truth. Her Words: “You’re a disgrace to the world.”

Short. Ten seconds.

There may be another video involving black men attached. I was unable to separate the two. Disregard if it appears.

Some comments by those who viewed the Trump/little girl video: “She is the real deal. / The light of the world. / She’s our future. / I will follow her into hell.”

One for Trump! This is fake news.

It was part of a comedy show. An actor played Trump.

The video appeared initially early in May 2017. It was a clip from the show “The President Show.” Within a very short period, 250,000 had viewed it.

It was debunked immediately by the show’s producer, the actor playing Trump, Buzz Feed, and Huffington Post.

The video is back on the internet.

Though the substance of the video may be correct, the video itself is a phony. The President is entitled to have the world know it was not him.

A new lie was given birth yesterday. One concerning Kamala Harris. Similar to the one Trump used on Obama years ago. The lie: Harris is not a natural born citizen. Ergo, she does not meet Constitutional requirements to serve as Vice-President or President.

The birther lie all over again.

Harris’ parents were immigrants. However, she was born in the U.S.

There is no issue, except for Trump trying to use the argument as he did against Obama. It was a lie then, it is a lie now.

Trump is one bad guy. He is destroying the USPS in hopes of saving himself.

Trump has to recognize he is behind at the moment. Fear has to be setting in.

Therein lies the reason he is attacking mail in ballots and is in effect demobilizing the Post Office.

Pure manipulation.

The stimulus package has $25 billion allocated to prepare the Post Office for the unusual number of mail in ballots expected. Trump wants to kill the mail ins. It is assumed they will be primarily from Democratic voters. He wants to screw the system up so many of the ballots will not qualify.

The funny part of all this is that it is not the Democrats who initially recommended the $25 billion. The request first came from the Post Office’s Board of Governors. All Republican appointees.

Trump’s screwing around with the election system is obviously dangerous. A significant threat to democracy.

Today a major anniversary in U.S. history. On this day in 1945, Japan unconditionally surrendered.

I clearly remember the day. As I did V-E day earlier. I was 10 years old. My father took me with him everywhere both days. Celebrations galore. People dancing in the streets. A lot of hugging and kissing. A lot of crying. Everyone exuding happiness.

Today bears another significance. August 14, 1936. Date of the last public hanging in America.

The event took place in Owensboro, Kentucky.

A day of partying. Referred to as a “Carnival of Sadism.”

Rainey Bethea was a 22 year old black man. He murdered, raped and robbed 70 year old Lischia Edwards. A white woman. He strangled her.

Bethea confessed.

A problem arose. The community was aroused. They wanted to actually see justice done. They insisted on a public hanging.

Kentucky law at the time mandated that execution for murder and robbery had to be held at a state penitentiary.

The public would be denied its pound of flesh were the execution so conducted.

The Sheriff was a white woman. Her husband was Sheriff. He had died 3 months earlier and his wife was appointed to complete his term.

Bethea’s trial a public spectacle also. Reporters came from every part of the country.

The prosecution opted to try Bethea only for the rape. Such permitted a public execution.

The trial was not needed. Bethea had already confessed to all 3 of the crimes charged. Never the less, he was tried before a jury. No testimony was taken. The jury had only one issue to decide. Whether Bethea receive a 10-20 year sentence or execution.

It took the all white jury 5 minutes to return the verdict. Execution.

The Sheriff was a mother of 4. It was her responsibility as Sheriff to “spring the trap.” The thought repelled her. She refused to do so.

Arthur Ash was a retired police officer. He was hired to pull the lever

The crowd assembled for the event was 10,000-20,000.

Phil Hanna was hired to oversee the event. He was the one who put the noose around Bethea’s neck.  It was Ash’s responsibility to “pull the lever.”

When Hanna signaled Ash to pull the lever, nothing happened. Ash was drunk and failed to notice. Hannah had to yell “Do It Now!” to get Ash’s attention. The lever was then pulled.

The crowd cheered. They enjoyed seeing Bethea die.

Two years later, Kentucky abolished all public executions.

Cocktails at 7 tonight.

Enjoy your day!

Eighty five years old and never heard the word parasitical before.

Came across it yesterday. Looked it up.

Parasitical applies to persons having the nature or habits of a parasite or leach. Its practical application in today’s society defines the term as a wealthy class parasitic living off the labor of the masses.

Parasitical persons are all over the place. Control politics, finances, etc. Just about everything. Politicians dance to their tune.

We are told every day in the media that coronavirus has been good for the wealthy. They have become wealthier as a result. At the same time as the poor have become poorer.

Coronavirus should be Trump’s number one consideration. It is not.

He has other problems of more concern to him.

One, his hair.

Trump has been complaining that water coming out of a shower head does not have sufficient force. The slower power makes it difficult for him to do his hair properly.

Several years ago, the Department of Energy had new rules adopted re force of water emitting from shower heads and faucets. Cut back on the amount of water coining through in order to reduce water use.

Trump said, “My hair – I don’t know about you, but it has to be perfect.”

The Department of Energy has come out with new regulations to increase water flow and therefore water force as regards shower heads.

The President is pleased.

Yesterday was a big one for coronavirus deaths in the U.S. The most in one day ever. Nearly 1,500.

Florida’s numbers are still off the wall. One reason is the refusal of certain public officials to understand the dangers that accompany the virus and what can be done to limit its number of infections.

Florida’s Governor DeSantis is one of the blind.

Another is Marion County Sheriff Billy Wood. Marion County encompasses the Ocala area.

Sheriff Wood’s department has a staff of 900.

He issued an order that face masks were not to be worn. No discretion on the officer’s part. The order a mandatory one.

The order was issued the day before the Sheriff’s county set a new record for most deaths in a single Florida county.

I do not understand. Ignorance? Stupidity! Sucking up to the Governor? What?

The Key West Citizen’s daily column Citizens’ Voice comes up with some gems. Comments are sent in by readers to express their opinions on various matters.

Two in this morning’s edition especially interesting.

First from a reader who appears as bright as Governor DeSantis and Sheriff Wood: “I have said since Day 1 of this pandemic knockdown mess that it is nothing more than a government experiment to see what it takes to control the people. Governments can create viruses in labs and pretend it is from something and say ‘we are doing this in your best interest’ as a form of control and bend the population. Those that don’t follow protocol will die and those that do will die and those that do will be further controlled.”

The other from a perceptive and humorous reader: “Strip clubs should be the last to reopen on Duval. Whoever heard of a socially distanced lap dance?”

Enough for today. A doctor visit awaits.

Enjoy your day!

While coronavirus has been overwhelming us, dengue fever has quietly been on the rise in the Florida Keys. Dengue as dangerous as coronavirus. It also can kill.

A quick background re dengue.

Dengue is caused by the bite of the Aedes mosquito. The fever’s numbers dramatic. Three hundred ninety million cases a year world wide. Five hundred thousand hospitalized. Forty thousand die.

Dengue was eliminated from the U.S. several decades ago.

Prior to 2009, there had been no reports of dengue fever since 1934. An outbreak occurred in Key West in 2009-2010. In 2009, 22 were afflicted. In 2010, 66.

I cannot ascertain whether there have been any dengue cases since 2010, except for those that occurring now in 2020.

The dengue attack a recent one. In the last 2-3 months. All in the northern Keys. Primarily around Key Largo.

In the past 4 days, 16 new cases reported. Which brings the recent total to 42.

An epidemic in the making, if not already one.

Dengue is considered a tropical and sub-tropical virus. Its symptoms include high fever, headaches, vomiting, muscle and joint pains, and a characteristic skin rash.

At higher levels, the virus can cause blood problems.

The problem a global one. Frequent in 120 countries. Primarily, southeast Asia, south Asia, and South America.

A significant rise in cases worldwide occurred in 2019.

Dengue is regarded as the “neglected tropical disease.” The reason being it generally occurs in poorer countries who do not have sufficient funds to combat the problem.

Cost of prevention and ordinary treatment cheap. However the world for all intents and purposes has turned its back on the poorer nations when it comes to dengue fever.

Coronavirus is out of control in the U.S. Mainly because Trump failed to recognize the danger involved and continues to fail in providing necessary guidance and assistance to deal with the virus.

The U.S. is consider, or was considered till recently, the world leader in every respect. No more, especially as far as coronavirus is concerned.

New Zealand is a country that took the bull by the horns immediately and did the right thing. The people of New Zealand followed the instruction of the government. There were no I refuse to give up my freedom cries.

Prior to this week, New Zealand had eliminated coronavirus from its concerns. Again, the people had followed the rules. Stay at home, work from home, wear masks, social distancing, bars closed, restaurants only providing delivery service, etc.

This past week, a family living in Auckland came down with the virus. Four members in the family.

The 4 cases are the first new ones New Zealand has experienced in 3 1/2 months.

New Zealand is not waiting to see if anything further occurs. Immediately, the old rules went into effect. New Zealand basically shut down. The country refuses to go back where it was when the virus first struck.

Kamala Harris the Democratic Vice-President presumptive nominee.

All the ladies considered were Vice-Presidential material.

I assume Biden made the correct choice.

The only negative re Harris by my way of thinking was when she attacked Biden in one of the debates. She was vicious.

The Biden and Harris families wee close. Biden’s son Beau now dead and Harris were very good friends.

It was a cheap shot. There is a line drawn in everything. Regardless of what politics is, Harris stepped over the line in the manner she attacked Biden. I consider such a character issue. Biden says he has forgotten.

Politics does make for strange bedfellows. I can recall John Kennedy selecting Lyndon Johnson as his running mate.

Trump had much to say re Biden’s selection. He hit Harris with everything. False statements galore.

The best was when he said Harris was “mean.” The meanest man in the world calling another person “mean!”

On this day in 1939, The Wizard of Oz premiered in Oconomowoc (spelled correctly), Wisconsin. Judy Garland starred.

Love the music! Especially, “We’re Off To See The Wizard.” The opening words…..We’re off to see the Wizard, the wonderful Wizard of Oz!

Great songs.

Forget not “Over the Rainbow.” Today ranked the most popular song ever.

There was severe competition for the role of Dorothy. Judy Garland and Shirley Temple.

Judy Garland made a statement many years later that had nothing to do with the Wizard movie. However said much about her life.

Garland had been in several movies before the Wizard. She said, “I was born at the age of 12 on an MGM lot.”

I mentioned yesterday the story of the 8 year old special needs student who was arrested in 2018. Disgraceful!

Additional information came to light this morning.

The lawyer for the boy in the civil suit is Ben Comp. He also represents the George Floyd family.

It took almost a year for the felony battery charge to be resolved. It should have been dropped immediately.

The prosecution/police permitted the charges to be dropped based on the child’s mother agreeing to have the child evaluated psychologically and undergo mental health counseling with a clinical psychologist.

Such bullshit! It is the way courts are run when a police officer is out of line and the judicial/police system wants to cover the cop’s ass.

Some William Hackley.

As we daily read his diary, it is difficult to remember the time is 1855. Today’s entry mentions Hackley walking to where Fort Zachary Taylor was being built. He describes the progress up to that point.

The baby mentioned: “The babe not very well.”

I continue to worry about the baby. I wish Hackley would write whether it was a boy or girl and tell us the baby’s name..

Enjoy your day!

There is a saying that if something can happen, it will happen. What follows is an example.

Jacob was born in February at St. Joseph’s Hospital in the Tampa area. He died 3 days following birth.

The hospital lost the body. Even following extensive searching. The hospital is sorry.

I am not sure how the parents feel. It has to be horrendous. First, their son dies. Then the hospital misplaces their son’s body.

The parents have filed suit against the hospital for negligence and reckless infliction of emotional distress.

A horrible ending in every respect to what is normally a most happy event.

Sad beyond words.

The American public was first subjected to the cry that children don’t get infected by coronavirus. Then the word was a few do. However, not really sick and get over it in a few days.

Medical personnel and Trump were on board reporting the preceding.

Then the doctors began saying children’s numbers are going up. Trump saying not really a problem. Few cases and the children recover easily. Trump sticking with that line.

A total of 90 children have died thus far in the U.S. One a baby.

Very recently, the American Academy of Pediatrics and The Children’s Hospital Association reported children can get the virus. In the last week alone, there was a 90 percent increase in child coronavirus cases in the U.S.

Why have the number of child cases suddenly increased? The experts belief that when there are more cases overall in the general population, there will be more infected children cases.

The President has to get more serious about the problem overall. He thinks what he thinks. No one can tell him anything. In the meantime, over 5 million virus infected and 160,000 plus virus deaths in the U.S.

Wise up, Donald! You’re killing us!

Another child story. This one broke yesterday. Involves an event which occurred in December 2018. The world became aware because of a police video which went viral yesterday. Two million hits the first day.

The event occurred in Key West.

The video shows a Key West police officer trying to handcuff an 8 year old boy. The cuffs were too big for the boy’s small wrists and kept sliding off.

The boy was 3 feet 5 inches and weighed 64 pounds at the time. He was crying. The boy was being processed at an adult prison. He had previously been patted down.

The boy attended Gerald Adams Elementary School as a special needs student. He punched a teacher in the chest after being reprimanded for not sitting correctly during lunch.

The boy was charged with felony battery.

The parents have retained the services of a Tallahassee attorney to represent their son. The attorney released the video to Twitter and Instagram yesterday.

No further facts are available.

Everyone involved the day of the occurrence seems to have acted in a stupid fashion. I am curious how the judge handled the case.

Black/white issues come from many directions. Most right on. However, there are those that are a bit too far out.

Laurie Rubel is a Brooklyn College mathematics professor.

Two interesting opinions attributed to her.

Using the phrase “2 + 2 = 4” to demonstrate the objectivity and neutrality of mathematics “reeks of white supremacist patriarchy.”

Rewards based on hard work are a “tool of whiteness…..that appeases minorities.”

Alice Reid was a Madam. She operated whore houses in the Key West area in the late 1930’s and into the early 1940’s. The houses of ill repute were known as Mama’s Tea Room.

On this day in 1941, Alice was arrested for operating a house near Fort Zachary Taylor. Three women employed by her were arrested for prostitution.

This was Alice’s second arrest in 1941. On May 6, she was arrested for operating a house at 1016 Howe Street.

Alice was arrested several times over the years. Always to reopen in another location. She was a revolving door.

Alice was not arrested so many times because the community was disturbed by the nature of her work. Her customers included local businessmen, fishermen, and U.S. Navy sailors. The U.S. had a large Naval base in Key West at the time.

The locals did not care. The males were good customers who enjoyed the pleasures her ladies provided. The Navy on the other hand considered her work immoral. It also was costing the Navy money. Many Sailors contacted syphilis.

The raids on Alice’s places of business were the result of the Navy pressuring local government figures to do something. They did. She was arrested. Some small fine or punishment followed. Following which she opened in a new location.

August 11, 1968 was a significant one in Key West history. On that day, David Wolkowsky opened the Pier House Motel. From that 50 unit motel rose the magnificent edifice known as the Pier House today.

KONK Life ran a picture of The Peacon House in today’s E-Blast.

The Peacon House is located at 712 Eaton. A beautiful octagon shaped edifice. It was built in 1885 by Richard Peacon (1840-1914).

Peacon was the owner of Key West’s leading grocery store at the time.

The house is listed on the National Registry of Historical Places in Key West.

Over the years. I have attended several parties at the Peacon House. Fell in love with the house the first time. Inside and out, front and back. A very special structure.

Putin and Trump appear to be in a contest: To see who can develop the coronavirus vaccine first.

Putin may have won.

It was reported world wide today by Russian news agencies that Russia had developed the first approved vaccine against Covid-19. The vaccine has been “registered,” whatever that means.

Putin said his daughter was among the first to be vaccinated.

The approval process appears to have been a rapid one. Medical experts are concerned that the vaccine was developed and tested “dangerously” fast.

Wonder what Trump will have to say at his 5 o’clock follies show tonight?

Tuesday again. Tonight, Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. Nine my time. An exciting half hour of all kinds of stuff. Guaranteed you will enjoy.

Join me. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou.

Enjoy your day!

Trump held a press conference at his private club in Bedminster, New Jersey saturday. He signed 4 Executive Orders having to do with the stimulus package during the conference. All 4 one way or another gave less to the poor.

There is no question things are especially tough economically these days because of coronavirus. People need more, not less assistance. The need was not reflected in the 4 Orders signed.

The fact that Trump was cheating the poor while trying to make it look like a generous gift on his part bothered me enough. One factor even more.

Trump signed the Executive Orders in front of members of his private club. The membership admission fee is $350,000. They cheered the execution of the Orders.

The stimulus package seems to be taking longer than normal to come to agreement. I blame a member of Trump’s negotiating team. His Chief of Staff, Mark Meadows.

Meadows a Republican who served first for 7 years as a Congressman from North Carolina. He was one of Trumps’ closest allies while in Congress.

A person’s character is reflected by the way a person lived.

Meadows’ character is wanting. Such I suspect is the primary reason why the stimulus negotiations have failed thus far.

Meadows misrepresented his educational background. He attended Florida State University for one year. Yet he claimed in his official biography maintained by the Office of the Historian of the House of Representatives that he held a BA from the University of South Florida.

He actually graduated from the University of South Florida with an Associate degree.

Meadows was active in the Tea Party movement. Came to Congress the same year many Tea Party persons were first elected.

His voting record less than stellar. Indicates a lacking on his part for the needs and problems of people.

Recall Hurricane Sandy. Devastated the northeast. He was part of the group of Congresspersons that voted against the relief bill.

He was one of the members who made Boehner’s time as Speaker difficult. Meadows’ tried to strip Boehner of his power as Speaker.

As a member of the Oversight Committee, he has been openly confrontational with Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Insulting a better description.

He played a public role in the 2013 governmental shutdown.

He was openly opposed to Obama and occasionally insulting. A promoter of the “he should return to Kenya” theme.

A fellow by the name of West worked in his office. Internal complaints were made against West. West was discharged. Nevertheless, Meadows kept him on the payroll to the tune of $58,125. West was paid for not working.

In 2018, Meadows was fined $40,625 for keeping West on staff while not investigating sexual harassment charges against him and for paying West when he was not on the staff and working.

Can fair play be expected from Meadows?

I continue to find it difficult to understand Trump. He surrounds himself with basically bad people. I shouldn’t. They are people who think like him.

America is moving towards becoming a third world country.

The U.S. is on its way to double digit depression. Twenty to thirty percent of small businesses will have been shut down by the end of the Pandemic. Jobs will not return as part of the “new world.”

The result will be 30 million homeless.

America is “under developing.” It is moving from a “developed nation” to an “under developed nation.”

Many Americans have become too freedom conscious. Like I don’t want to wear a mask. They lack concern for their families and fellow citizens.

One of the reasons coronavirus is still with us big time.

Sturgis, South Dakota a perfect example.

Sturgis is into a 10 day bikers rally. “Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.”

Thousands participating. No masks, no social distancing.

These are tough people. men and women alike. They fear not looking death in the face.

One biker said, “I don’t want to die, but I don’t want to be cooped up all my life either.”

Go for it man! They should put those words on your tombstone! Merely change both “don’ts” to “didn’t.”

In 3-4 weeks, Sturgis will have a dramatic up swing in coronavirus cases. As will the families and home towns of those bikers participating.

A Key West coronavirus update.

Key West had 41 cases as of June 1 when U.S. 1 was reopened to non-residents. Today, 716.

An example of how swiftly the virus moves. An example of how rapidly Sturgis and the families and hometowns of the bikers will experience a dramatic increase.

Great PGA Tournament. A new star was born. Collin Morikawa. Only 23.

Tiger Woods and Jack Nicholson were 23 when they first won the PGA also.

Morikawa has a great life ahead.

His PGA winnings $1.98 million. He will also receive endorsements in the next few weeks totaling in the millions.

God bless!

He only became a professional last year. He had 2 victories before the PGA.

A major not a bad place to play. Second place payed $968,000.

Enjoy your day!

Coronavirus has closed many doors. There is one situation however where the virus has opened a door.

Sex.

Couples sex. People who are married or live together. Doesn’t work for one night stands or booty calls. Those would require the 6 foot safe distancing rule. Such alone eliminates any notion of sexual intercourse.

Many couples are finding “imposed intimacy” a great way to cope with anxiety and stress.

Sex is highly recommended during the crisis since it keeps people calm, boosts the immune system, revives a lagging libido, and is a form of exercise.

Go for it! Remember however couples only!

For me, coronavirus has meant quarantine. Self quarantine. This is day 151.

There have been exceptions. Doctor and hospital visits.

Age seems to add calamities one upon the other. I now have a kidney problem. That is why my frequency for doctor and hospital visits have increased.

I have been told problem not serious, but can be. Doctor assumes it can be treated with medicine. Another pill to add to my already 19 a day.

I am not concerned. Will explain the problem to you another time. It’s interesting.

Airline industry going broke. Few flying.

Arabs are smart people. One nation has come up with an odd ball solution. May be a good one. Who knows?

It is expected that airline recovery to pre-pandemic levels will not occur till after 2024.

Emirate is a state owned airline and flag carrier of United Arab Emirates. The airline is offering customers a “safety net” to induce them to fly with them.

If a customer catches coronavirus on a flight, the airline will cover all costs related to medical treatment, hospital quarantine, and guarantees to pay funeral costs in the event of death.

A heart-warming inducement! Sick! The suggested offer and those who take advantage of it!

Vietnam an interesting country when it comes to coronavirus. A nation of 69 million.

Till late July, Vietnam had the best record for the virus. Its numbers the envy of the world. Seven hundred eighty nine cases and no deaths.

Vietnam did everything scientists suggested. Were not interested in their “freedoms.” Rather, “survival.”

A problem popped up since late July and has gotten worse. Like a second epidemic. Suddenly many being stricken. Vietnam has “quarantine centers” which presently hold 23,356 persons. Isolated, 6,717. An additional 140,384 have been ordered to home quarantine.

How quickly the virus spreads.

Key West  is now experiencing a dramatic increase in coronavirus cases.

The upswing began with opening U.S. 1 to non-residents June 1. On June 1, Key West had only 41 cases.

The businessmen were more interested in their pocketbooks rather than the good health of the community. Since June 1, the number through yesterday has risen to 705.

The tourists drive down from the mainland and bring the virus with them.

To those businessmen responsible, you can’t spend the money if you are dead.

The State of Florida’s numbers rise dramatically. Because of an “asshole” governor who follows Trump’s dictates to the letter.

Brazil is a festering pot for coronavirus. Its numbers rising dramatically. Expected to be #1 in coronavirus cases at some point.

Flights from and to Brazil still operating at Miami International.

Governor DeSantis should do something on his own for once. Ban any flights from or to Brazil.

A poker game is being played between the federal government and the virus. The virus is winning.

It does not appear the game will end soon. Could be a year or two before the virus is defeated. In the meantime, what do the government and the people do for money?

The first stimulus was ok. Another big one needed. Right away. However the politicians are playing games. Games with the lives and health of the American people.

Whether the money comes from Congressional action or Trump’s executive orders, it will arrive too late and run out at some point. The feds will be required to continue with big time assistance. Only a federal government has the capacity to do so. It can print money.

The end could be inflation as never seen in the U.S. Off the wall!

The need is now however and must be addressed. Every decision a difficult one.

Trump’s 4 executive orders signed yesterday are of little help. People need every penny of the $600, not $400.

The $400 is a joke as to its source. One hundred dollars from the States. Where are they going to get the money. All are broke already. Note the States cannot legally print money.

Th personal tax thing a gimmick. It is taxpayer dollars going directly into the stimulus package rather than Social Security. Means in due course Social Security benefits will have to be lowered. At some point, there definitely will not be enough money in the Social Security Trust Fund for it to continue.

Nothing more than Trump playing games. He neither cares nor understands the plight ordinary people.

I occasionally write that the rich have taken over the Republican Party and the country. Most of those we “elect” no longer have the power they once did. Also, they have learned to dance to tunes selected by the elites.

Canadian blogger Ian Welsh had descriptive words for American elites/rich in a recent column.

“American elites are predators.”

“Greed is good.”

“Covid-19 is making the rich richer.”

At the end of the Pandemic, “U.S. elites will control a larger percentage of the U.S. economy than before. They will be richer and more powerful. And that means tens of millions of Americans are homeless and hungry.” Prices will go up. As far as the elites “are willing for YOU to pay.”

The Bahama Village Arch has returned. The overhang at the intersection of Petronia and Duval.

Years of sun exposure had faded the Arch. It had been taken down to be repainted. Work completed and Arch back up. I am told it is bright and shiny.

The Hackley baby saga continues. A sad one.

William Hackley’s diary entries for August 8 & 9, 1855 advise Mrs. Hews cannot nurse baby anymore. Her milk is no longer sufficient.

Hackley wrote the baby is now on corn starch and seems “to like it very much.”

The next day Hackley wrote a Spanish woman was found who lives nearby who says she will nurse the baby three times a day.

I wish Hackley would tell us the baby’s name. Is it “Baby?” He leaves me confused.

Enjoy your Sunday!

Mary Burgess was one of the finest people I have known. Witty, fun, caring, etc. Everyone I have spoken with this week describes her in those or similar terms.

Mary died monday night. Brain cancer. It hurts to even say those two words.

I first met Mary 3 years ago at Blue Macaw. Those were my falling down days. I was fighting using the cane. She must have noticed me wobbling around.

When I went to leave, she came over, took my arm, and said let me walk you to your car.

And so it began. She would walk me to my car each time we met at Blue Macaw. Which became often.

A relationship of sorts developed. Good friends. Not a romance. We enjoyed each other’s company.

We became a thing for almost 2 years. Sometimes once a week, sometimes twice. Other times 5 consecutive nights.

Monday night we always met at Aqua for Dueling Bartenders. Never called to say lets meet. We both knew we would be there.

It became a monday night custom. After Aqua, we would walk over to La Trattoria or Antonia’s for dinner. Some nights chatted at the Chart Room. The movies every now and then.

Until I got the cane, she always held on to me as we walked. A warm and secure feeling.

We started drifting when I stopped drinking. Pancreatitis. Doctor said no more alcohol and smoking.

I found it difficult to be with other people who were drinking and smoking. So I stopped going out.

Mary seemed to be in excellent health. A walker. Everywhere. She had the body of an athlete.

Mary worked at the Little White House as a Storyteller. That was her title.

She kept me abreast of Truman’s life. As and when she learned something that few knew about Truman, she would bring it to my attention so I could put it in the blog. She frequently sent me books about Truman.

The strangest part of our relationship occurred this past weekend. Note Mary died monday.

I had not seen nor talked with Mary in a year. I doubt I even thought of her. Saturday, sunday and monday before I heard, I could not get her out of my mind. I did not know she was sick. I could not understand why she was in my head those few days.

Sunday, I telephoned her. The answering machine responded. Left her a message to call me. Of course, I never heard from her and now never will.

Why was she in my mind? Did she want to tell me something, make me aware of her situation? I don’t know. Strange.

Tammy Renee sent me an e-mail tuesday that Mary had died. Never met Renee. I thank her for letting me know.

I have been crying off and on since. Mary’s death made an impact on me.

I know not where she died. Key West, Miami, Gloucester her home town, Boston, etc. Many have called or e-mailed me since tuesday to share Mary’s passing. Details as to where, etc. no one knew.

There was an e-mail on Facebook that talked about Mary. The name of the writer was not available.

The two were together on July 20 when Mary first got the news she definitely had brain cancer. Mary had just had a CT scan. The doctor’s office called and told her to get in immediately, that she had a problem. The CT scan had verified the malignancy.

Mary said to the person with her: “I’ve had a great life. I have a beautiful family whom I love and I know love me. Whatever God says is ok with me. It’s in His hands.”

Mary, you were loved! Enjoy your new life!

On this day 1945, the first atomic bomb ever was dropped on Hiroshima. Three days later, on Nagasaki.

Japan surrendered. World War II was over.

Since then, no atomic/nuclear weapon has been dropped on any peoples.

Today is the 75th anniversary of the Hiroshima bombing.

A B-29 fortress named Enola Gay dropped the bomb at 8:16 am. There was a “blinding flesh-melting blast.” A 500 foot fireball heated the air to 500,000 degrees Fahrenheit.

Three hundred thousand injured, 200,000 died.

Setsuko Thurlow was 13 at the time. Fortunately, survived. She is 88 today.

She was one mile from ground zero when the bomb went off. Her recollection is probably why no nation has since dropped such a bomb.

“I could see some dark moving approaching to me. They happened to be human beings. They just did not look like human beings. I called them ghosts.”

“They were covered with blood and burned and blackened and swollen, and the flesh was hanging from the bones. Parts of their bodies were missing, and some were carrying their own eyeballs in their hands. And as they collapsed, their stomach burst open.”

Interesting how things occur. Yesterday, I wrote re Wisteria Island. This morning’s Key West Citizen has a follow up article on what is occurring at Wisteria.

Sheriff Rick Ramsey is upset about the decision. Specifically as how it will impact care of the island. He is concerned which government agency will manage the island.

Ramsey says Wisteria is a haven for violence and “lawlessness.” Recent incidents include a stabbing, assault with a baseball bat, and rape.

Several years ago, the U.S. Bureau of Land Management lay legal claim to Wisteria. A federal court recently ruled the U.S. owned the island.

Ramsey basically says the Bureau of Management has done nothing to mange the island over the years. He refers to the Bureau as the “Bureau of No Land Management.”

Ramsey reiterated the “island is a dangerous place.” He wants to see it made useful again so people can visit to picnic and bring their children.

The Wisteria Island story is not over.

The PGA begins today. Due to coronavirus, it will be the lone major remaining. Soon after, the Fed-Ex Cup Playoffs will begin.

Tiger Woods is playing. He believes he can win the PGA this year. It is going to be exciting golf!

It was announced yesterday that Deutsche Bank gave Donald Trump’s financial records to the Manhattan prosecutors some time ago in response to a subpoena.

Ho, ho, ho!

Someone in a comment to yesterday’s blog got involved with “stupid”. Something that can’t be fixed.

I opted to do some research re “stupid.”

Urban Dictionary defines “you can’t fix stupid” as the response to seeing some moron doing something incredibly asinine.

“You can’t fix stupid” is a relatively recent term. American comedian Ron White titled an album with the phrase in 2007. The album peaked at #1 on the Billboard Top Comedy Album chart.

Forrest Gump gave us “stupid is as stupid does.”

I came across a “stupid” joke re Mitch McConnell. Printed underneath a photo he is featured in the words: “You can’t fix stupid but your vote can send stupid home.”

Ronald Reagan was one tough President. Fair, but his way. If a person screwed up, he told the person to his face what was wrong and advised it be fixed immediately. Not to listen to Reagan was a mistake. If a person rejected Reagan’s advise, that person was rejected with rapid speed.

An example the Air Traffic Controllers Union.

The Union struck. Reagan said go back to work or I will fire you. The Union did not believe him.

On August 5, 1981 Reagan true to his word fired 11,359 air traffic controllers. With the firing went a lifetime ban on being rehired.

There were 13,000 controllers at the time Reagan said go back to work or else. A little more than 1,600 heeded his warning and did return,. The other 11,359 had to find new occupations.

This morning’s Citizens’ Voice had an interesting comment. It concerned Key West and coronavirus. The numbers are a bit difficult to compute. I leave that to you.

“OK. Let’s do the math together. According to the New York Times, COVID-19 cases have gone up 12 fold since the roadblock came down (6/1/20), now at 576. If the rate stays the same, that means that in a little more than 2 months, all 25,000 residents will be infected. I know of no other city in this country that expects its entire population to be infected before mid-October.”

Enjoy your day!

Machiavelli: “The rich are as much a threat to a republic as a standing military.” The Discourse on Livy, First Book, Chapter III.

The terms elites and rich are used interchangeably.

Elites have the habit of making an “issue” a “selective issue.” Roe v. Wade a perfect example.

Roe was decided in 1973. It received the usual post decision fanfare as any other significant decision. The issue then died.

It was resurrected 6 years later in 1979.

A group of evangelical leaders were searching for an issue to make a mountain out of a mole hill, so to speak. In order to defeat Jimmy Carter’s reelection bid. They seized on abortion not for moral reasons. Rather as the rallying cry to defeat Carter.

The evangelicals actually wanted the issue to be segregated schools. Keep suburban areas white. Keep blacks separated from white children.

Segregated schools as a moral issue seemed too far out. Something more palatable for the religious right to rely on was required. Abortion became the choice.

Wealthy persons with far right thinking were becoming more involved in politics. They liked the idea of abortion as the issue.

The beginning of the elites pouring money into the Republican far right began in the 1970’s and 1980’s. The billionaires tossed big dollars into the effort. Richard Mellon Scaife of the Mellon banking family and Joseph Coors the beer baron two individuals who gave the most.

Coors far right thinking was described by many as “a little bit right of Attila the Hun.”

Coors financed the Heritage Foundation which stands strong today in promoting issues that help the rich to quietly control American society.

The rich could not understand why peons should control the U.S. Their procedure became a simple one. While remaining in the background, they threw billions of dollars into Republican far right conservative causes.

Elected officials became subservient to those who provided funds for the party. Elites contributed to far right groups to protest and push causes they believed beneficial to their aims.

The peons loved it! Thought they were running the U.S. Blind fools! The rich took over. From behind the scenes, they now call the shots.

Interestingly, abortion one of the issues still working for them.

Trump’s recent 5 o’clock TV shows I have labeled Trump’s follies. I have compared Trump to Howdy Doody’s Buffalo Bob and Clarabell.

One thing that irritates me is that Trump is never on time for the show. A half hour to an hour late generally.

Such reflects a definite disregard and lack of respect for the American public who wait to hear his words.

The substance of these shows based on inaccuracies.

Last night, Trump said coronavirus was “under control.” How? The U.S. has 4.85 million confirmed cases. Deaths 159,000. Deaths occurring one every minute.

He said U.S. testing the best in the world. Results available in 5 to 15 minutes. Where does he get his facts? Testing still sucks. Testing not yet readily available. Results not generally available for 3 to 5 to 7 days. Sometimes, 10-12.

Trump proudly claims all kinds of supplies readily available. Like masks, testing equipment, gowns, gloves, inhalators, etc. Ask hospital personnel. They will tell you the truth.

He shocked me when he said Florida, Texas and California were in good shape, the numbers coming down. The three states still disasters.

I was of the opinion that Trump lied most of the time. Now, I think not. He is ignorant. Such is the problem.

Trump’s demand that the U.S. get a cut of any TikiTok sale ridiculous. Something new. From the genius of Trump’s mind.

Not just a cut, Trump believes the dollars should be “substantial” and “very big dollars.”

Wrong to do. Not the usual way of doing business. The government getting a piece of the action where a private business transaction is involved.

Trump is doing this to further aggravate China. China owns the company that owns TikiTok. Trump continues defecating on China. He is pushing China as FDR did Japan re oil. The result was Pearl Harbor.

Alan Dershowitz is one of America’s outstanding criminal defense attorneys. Spent his lifetime teaching at Harvard Law and handling these cases on the side.

It is claimed Dershowitz was a guest at Jeffrey Epstein’s pedophile island. One of the young girls, I cannot recall whether 12 or 16, he allegedly had sex with.

Dershowitz denied it. The girl now a young lady. She has sued Dershowitz.

He denies frequently. Like every other week. He comes up with another reason why her claims are not true.

Me thinks Dershowitz complains too much. I give him the advise he would give a client in a similar situation: “Shut up!”

Banks are whores. They got away with murder as the saying goes in 2008. Coronavirus another story. Appears to be doing many banks in.

HSBC is headquartered in London. It is Europe’s largest bank.

Its net profit for the second quarter dropped 96 percent! Plummeted!

HSBC blames coronavirus and lower interest rates.

Numbers best describe HSBC’s problem. The bank’s second quarter net profit for this year $192 million. Sounds like a lot of money. Not when compared to HSBC’s net profit for the second quarter last year.

The bank’s net profit second quarter last year was $4.37 billion.

Something definitely wrong at HSBC.

Trump rarely consistent. The past couple of weeks, he has been decrying the use of mail in ballots. Specifically mentioning many of the states who use them or intend to use them for this year’s Presidential election. Florida one of the states mentioned.

Yesterday, Trump urged Florida to use mail in ballots. He claimed Florida’s “election system is safe and secure, tried and true…..Florida’s election system has been cleaned up.”

No further elaboration. No reason why he changed his mind.

Wisteria Island back in the news.

When I first came to Key West 30 years ago, two small islands sat west of Key West. One whose name I cannot recall. The other Wisteria Island. Both islands a five minute boat ride from Key West.

Both islands used by the homeless, not taken care of, etc. The State would visit each island once year to remove all those inhabiting them for 24 hours so such persons would not be able to later claim title under adverse possession.

Then came Sunset Key. The island whose previous name I could not recall. Today a place of beauty and elegance. The finest homes and a superior restaurant. Everything on Sunset Key expensive.

Wisteria Island continues to sit next to Sunset Key. Looks like a garbage dump. Overgrown, people leave the island unclean, etc.

The Bernstein family (F.E.B. Corp.) has owned Wisteria for years. The intent to develop Wisteria similar to Sunset Key.

Ownership has always been an issue.

The most recent lawsuit began several years ago. I forget who was contesting the Bernstein title. May have been the State.

At the last minute, the U.S. government got involved in the lawsuit. They had not been heard from the decades before.

The U.S. claimed it owned the island.

A federal court recently decided the U.S. does: “It was built up by Navy contractors, who used the land for teh government’s purposes and benefit of storing fil;l accumulated from nearby dredging operastions.”

A lousy decisions. The government has never made beneficial use of Wisteria and never will. Its last minute entrance in the lawsuit was to exercise its right of claim. Utilizing mentally a never give up title to anything thought.

Sad because Wisteria is going to sit idle forever. A tiny black eye sitting off Key West’s waterfront.

Enjoy your day!