Ah, the ancient proverb: “For Want of a Nail.” The first line: “For want of a nail the shoe was lost.” The proverb ending: “For want of a battle the kingdom was lost. And all for the want of a horseshoe nail.”

The Justice Building Blog 7/13/2020  published a variation that encompasses coronavirus, Florida, and Florida’s Governor DeSantis.

I bastardized the title. Named it “For Want of a Mask.”

“For want of a mask a person got sick. / For want of a mask his family got sick. / For want of a mask his family infected five other families. / For want of a mask that neighborhood infected a city. / For want of a mask that city infected a region. / For want of a mask that region infected Florida. / For want of a mask Florida infected the nation. / For want of a mask the nation infected the world. / And all for the want of a governor that will not ask people to wear masks in public. / What a complete brainless asshole he is.”

Finally, Key West has seen the light of day. The City Commission is deaf to all who presently do not think as they do re the virus. Public health being more important than the economy.

Key West has mandated the wearing of masks, except when at home or driving. Penalties apply for failure to abide. Jailing possible.

Monday 22 citations were issued. Surprisingly more to locals than visitors. Two were issued to visitors. The balance to employees working at different local businesses.

Florida’s numbers continue to sky rocket. Yesterday alone, 9,194 new cases. Deaths 4,409.

Trump is an expert about everything. Knows more about coronavirus than the doctors and scientists.

First, U.S. numbers.

Tuesday found 62,000 new infections nationwide. Total U.S. infections to date 3.41 million.

Florida, Arizona and Texas surging. Arizona and Texas running out of everything necessary for handling Covid-19. Both states are obtaining mobile morgues (refrigerated trucks) to handle the overload of dead.

Hospitals normally report coronavirus data to the CDC. The White House has ordered hospitals to cease such activity. Henceforth such data is to be sent directly to HHS. Such a clear reflection that the process has been politicized. Politicized at a time when the U.S. is in the midst of a most serious epidemic.

Why? Trump dos not like what the CDC is telling the American people. Trump cannot handle those who speak truth to power in these times. He will manipulate and interpret the numbers to suit his personal needs.

For some reason, former President Jimmy Carter and the energy crisis during his time in office has been on my mind in recent days. Not sure why. However let me share the facts with you.

Late 1976 and into 1977, our good friend even then Saudi Arabia, together with other OPEC nations, were on a money making binge. They manipulated the oil market to suit their personal greed. Forced oil prices to shoot upward.

Soon there was not enough oil available and what was available was very expensive.

Cars waited in long lines to get to a gas pump. Many times reaching the pump to discover no gasoline left. Insufficient natural gas was available to heat homes.

Carter went on television February 2, 1977 in a national broadcast to explain to the American people what had to be done to get through the crisis.

He came on TV sitting by a fire wearing a cardigan sweater. Stated respectfully, looked like Mr. Rogers.

His advise scared the nation. He suggested that thermostats be kept at 65 degrees by day and 55 by night. He also advised sweaters be worn.

There were no happy campers. When I heard his words, I thought he was joking. He was not.

We did what was necessary. Lowered the thermostats and wore sweaters.

Did not seem to help. Carter was back on TV on April 18, 1977: “We are now running out of gas and oil.”

Carter’s four years in the Presidency were difficult ones. Nothing ever went right. He is considered one of our worst Presidents. Not as bad as Trump, however. No one that bad till he came into office. History will record Trump as a total failure.

Carter will be recognized in another fashion as a great man. He is the best former President the U.S. has ever had. His achievements and endeavors post Presidency not equaled by any other President.

Some things never make sense. An NBA store that accepted custom ordering refused to sell Free Hong Kong jerseys. Yet the same store was selling Kill Cops and Burn Jews.

The store now claims its failure was an inadvertent error and is accepting orders.

MSNBC celebrated its 24th year on the air today. I love the show! My congratulations.

Yesterday, Trump was asked by a reporter about Black Americans killed by police. His response: “So are some white people.”

One of Trump’s new gambits is “white victimhood.”

The Hackley baby continues to have a hard time. All boils down to the baby’s mother not producing sufficient quantities of breast milk.

I paraphrase William’s entries in his diary of this day 1855.

Baby restless all night for want of food. Matilda up all night. Mrs. Sullivan with her. Baby much better this morning. Eruptions have come out all over her body. Wet clothes to her body and injections of cold water, no medicine. Kate (I assume Mrs. Sullivan) let her suck twice during the night. Waited for Dr. L. Ense.

I assume Mrs. Sullivan was a black or white woman who had a recent child and was capable of providing some milk to Baby.

Enjoy your day!

The 1918-19 flu pandemic extremely bad, without question. Profoundly traumatic. World wide, killed 50 million and infected one third of the world’s population.

The flu killed 675,000 in the U.S. alone.

Nineteen nineteen an especially bad year for the U.S. The country was still batting the pandemic, just fought a war, and was in deep recession.

Strikes commonplace.

The summer of 1919 was also known as the Red Summer where white mobs violently attacked black communities.

The black communities did not take the onslaught quietly. Many had fought for the U.S. in World War I. They fought back. They were tired of unequal citizenship.

In the years immediately following World War I, people were reluctant to speak about the flu epidemic. For whatever reason. The flu became “America’s forgotten pandemic.”

The medical profession was bothered. They thought medicine had reached the point that doctors could deal with any disease. The flu fooled them, however.

Mask wearing rules faced resistance. Many complained and resisted. Two forms of resistance. One refusing to wear a mask at all. The other smokers who poked a hole in the mask so they could smoke.

Schools and places of public commitment were closed, “no spitting” ordinances enforced, and wearing masks in public was mandatory.

There was a second wave. It was worse than the first. Lasted 3 months and was described as “especially cruel.”

Scientists attributed the second wave being worse because the virus had mutated late in the fall of 1918. The muted version was spread more easily because of wartime troop movements.

Today is Bastille Day in France. A major holiday. Also known as French National Day, Fete Nationale.

It was July 14, 1789. Known to the French as le quatorze juillet.

Bastille Day is the anniversary of the French people storming the general fortress Bastille. Infamous for holding political prisoners.

The French Revolution was already underway. The successful storming of the Bastille marked the turning point in the Revolution.

Many non French believe the storming of the Bastille was to release prisoners. Not so. In fact, there were only 7 held. The purpose was to capture the ammunition and gunpowder known to be stored in the prison.

This year’s fiscal budget off the wall. Expected to be $2.7 trillion. Never before has the government spent so much.

Reason therefore is attributed to Covid-19 spending. Described by some as spending “madness.”

Dana Milbank wrote in an Opinion piece in the Washington Post this weekend: “The one constant in Trump’s Presidency: Tomorrow will be worse.”

Safety of a people has always been the highest law. The primary responsibility of a leader. As far back as 106 BC, the Roman philosopher Marcus Tullius Cicero said, “The safety of the people shall be the highest law.”

Three Trump statements that have not stood the test of time.

“I will build a great, great wall on our southern border, and I will have Mexico pay for that wall. Mark my words.”

“I have a great relationship with Africa Americans, as you have possibly have heard. I just have got respect for them. And they like me. I like them.”

“I beat China all the time. All the time.”

Speaking of China, Trump has done everything possible to aggravate another great nation. The U.S. and China are 1 and 2 in power and greatness. No one sure who is first.

Trump has “pissed” on China every opportunity he has had. China is reaching the breaking point. A get off my back or don’t tread on me situation.

I have felt for the past 2-3 years that here could be a U.S./China conflict and I was not sure who would win. Better to keep them a friend rather than an enemy.

Republican Congressman Ted Yoho predicts a U.S./China clash in the next 3 months. The basis of his belief is that Trump keeps pushing China thereby creating a trend to war.

Some military experts believe China is conducting a cold war already. A cold war can turn hot quickly.

Some are of the opinion that a war could start by China testing the U.S. How? By ramming a U.S. vessel in the South China Sea.

A Monroe County/Key West update.

As of yesterday, 611 coronavirus cases in all of Monroe County. Forty five “new” as of yesterday.

Key West amended its emergency directives: Mask wearing mandatory everywhere, except for one’s own residence.

The Key West Citizen continues to perform well in providing daily entries from the diaries of William Hackley and May Johnson. Years apart, each never the less interesting.

Hackley’s July 13, 1855 entry concerns his newborn baby. No name shared yet. Referred to as “Baby.”

William’s wife Matilda not producing enough breast milk for Baby. Baby starving and apparently coming down with other things as a result.

William got 3 goats to supply milk. One he had shipped in from Cuba. All 3 failed.

William’s 7/13 entry reflective of pediatric care 1855: “Baby slept from 3 am to 7:30 am. About 9, Hatty ran down to tell me Baby had a spasm. Matilda said the babe stiffened herself and rolled up here eyes. Put her in a tepid bath, gave her about 6 drops of Godfrey’s Cordial and injected about one drop of Laudanum and 6 of Asafoetida which caused her to sleep from about 10 am to about 9 pm without being able to awaken her at chatty time, and she sucked a little, and being put to breast sucked well and worked fully and on going to sleep again woke herself at 4 apparently free of the disease, except that her mouth is sore apparently the thrush. We could hardly believe so small a quantity of Laudanum could narcotize a child.”

The next day was 7/14. William wrote that Baby was better.

May Johnson’s diary covers 1896. Two generations separate William and May.

On 7/14, May wrote, “Killed chicken, picked him.”

Reminded me of the grandmothers of my youth. If they had a live chicken, the chicken was grabbed by the head, held over the sink, and the head chopped off with a big bread knife in one swift stroke.

Thus far, the County has not asked the State to cancel mini-lobster season. A bad move! It should be done! The virus galore will be visiting Key West for 3 days later this month.

The failure of the County to do so will reflect its decisions being made in the best interests of the business community and not the health of the people generally.

Tonight, Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. Join me for a real fun time. Listen to me rant and rave about what I think. Nine my time. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou.

Enjoy your day!

Major negatives occurred this past week under Trump. Should not be surprising. We have come to expect them. They go with the man.

Jon Meacham on Meet the Press yesterday described Trump and White House comments re Fauci as “Junior high school” and “childish.”

Many times during Trump’s time in office, the question has been asked, “Who will speak truth to power?” One is and has been Dr. Anthony Fauci. He has never deviated from truth nor said anything merely to accommodate Trump.

The move began last week to undermine Fauci. Simply because he speaks the truth and lies for no one, even the President of the United States.

The rift between the two goes back to April.

Note that Fauci is the nation’s top infectious disease expert.

Over the weekend, the White House released a “hit list” of sorts. A “hit list of questionable statements” by Fauci. Very similar to a campaign research document.

Donald, you cannot destroy Fauci. He is goodness personified. For roughly forty years. Under several Presidents.  A significant portion of the American public believe Fauci re coronavirus issues. A small minority, Trump.

A David/Goliath battle. With only Trump fighting. Fauci the little guy. He won’t even need a sling shot.

Secretary of Education DeVos is as inept and incompetent as the President. Trump appointed her because she and her family are well connected to the Republican Party and donate big time dollars.

DeVos was on TV over the weekend pushing Trump’s “plan” to reopen the schools. She did him little good. Her lack of knowledge re the issue was evident. She was unable to directly respond to questions.

FOX News’ Chris Wallace could not make her look good.

I came across an interesting comment on the internet this morning: Parents can gamble with returning to work, parents will not allow children to be used a guinea pigs.

The CDC has its opinion re reopening of schools: Reopening of schools is the “highest risk for coronavirus spread.”

Trump had scheduled a political rally in New Hampshire recently. It was cancelled by the White House. Reason given, the weather.

Turns out it was not a bad day weather wise. Some sprinkling rain early morning. Sunny the rest of the day.

The truth outed over the weekend. The Trump team could not get enough people lined up to attend. To hold the rally would have resulted in another Tulsa.

The wall, the wall, the wall! One of Trump’s keys to successful election in 2016. The same “wall” will represent one of his major failures in the November 2020 election.

A certain portion of the “new wall” is eroding in Arizona. Three miles in the Rio Grande Valley. Experts claim the wall will topple into the river if not fixed.

The three miles cost $42 million to build. Apparently too much money for the actual work to be done. Some describe the design for the 3 miles as a Lamborghini.

The work was done by Fisher Industries of North Dakota.

Trump up in arms. He claims 2 reasons for the wall’s defects. The first that the defects are intentional and were done to embarrass him. The other that the work should not have been done by a private contractor.

The Florida coronavirus numbers continue to sky rocket. Yesterday a record for new cases in a single day: 15,299. Test positivity rate a whopping 19.6 percent.

The virus is out of control in Florida.

I blame Trump and our idiot Governor De Santis who blindly follows him. To this day, De Santis refuses to mandate masks anywhere under any circumstances.

There was one non tragedy yesterday. A typical example of American determination and following the rules. New York City announced that yesterday it had zero deaths. Zip! None!

The first time since March.

I attribute New York’s success to a Governor who stumbled a bit at the beginning, but realized he was wrong and took the scientific road recommended. Andrew Cuomo.

Florida, Texas and Arizona are where New York was several months ago. Will they learn as Cuomo did? Or will they continue listening to their Pied Piper Donald Trump?

Enjoy your day!

I said this when Mueller’s report came out. I say it again. He failed!

He did not view his job properly. He was “Special Counsel,” not a mere FBI investigator. His responsibility gave him additional powers. He was not limited by FBI rules, regulations, and policies.

As a result, Trump walked. He is still in office. The label he was “impeached” means nothing if not convicted of violations that would have resulted in removal from office.

Bill Clinton the perfect example. America still loves him!

Mueller also conducted himself like a pompous ass. Recall he did not want to testify before a Congressional committee. If he did, he said he would only go so far. Not explain his responses. His position was everything that was to be known was written in his report. Read it! was his charge.

Mueller failed to spell out clearly the charges against Trump.

As a result of it all, Trump’s impeachment did not stick.

Yes, Mueller indicted several underlings. Meant nothing. Impeachment a big thing, especially the impeachment of a sitting President. Mueller should have gone for the jugular!

Now comes Robert Stone. Trump took care of his friend. Commuted his sentence. Flynn will probably receive a pardon or commutation.

Stone’s commutation a shame. Proves clearly that under Trump, justice is available to friends of the President. A benefit not available to the thousands of others sitting in jail for crimes smaller that those committed by Stone.

Some insignificant. What of those of color who have been sitting in jail for years for simple marijuana convictions?

Trump appears to have a desire to be a “war President.” Not just a coronavirus one, a shooting one.

He is threatening to invade Venezuela.

We have already had 20 years of insignificant wars in the Middle East and elsewhere. I thought we had learned our lesson.

Trump does not care about the Venezuelan people. Trump wants to take over Venezuela for the oil. Venezuela has the largest oil deposits in the world.

Russia and China want those oil deposits, also. Any Trump action against Venezuela would be met with serious opposition by Russia and China.

Several months ago, Trump had American troops on the Venezuelan border ready to go in. Russia immediately sent planes and troops to Venezuela. They were sitting on Venezuelan airfields waiting for the Americans to invade.

Trump chickened out.

News reports last week indicated Trump was provoking an India/China war.

Trump is back to being anti-China. His great “trade deal” never happened. Trump’s present aim is to cause China as much aggravation as possible.

Why doesn’t he have the same attitude against Russia?

Trump views himself as the “noble warrior.” Reminds me of the witch in Snow White. She used to look in the mirror and ask, “Mirror, mirror on the wall, whose the fairest of them all?”

The mirror today would respond: “Donald, you are!”

Trump rails against U.S. enemies. Those he perceives to be enemies. Such is why he views himself as the noble warrior.

He is anti anarchist, Marxists, immigrants, and now a new group. Americans!

One reason he is attacking a majority of his fellow citizens is that he is planting the seed of doubt as to the validity of the 2020 election should he lose. The far left Americans “who corrupted” the voting process will be to blame.

Trumps announcement early last week that the U.S. was withdrawing from WHO was pure stupidity! No one is perfect. Everyone makes mistakes. I am referring to WHO, not Trump. Trump makes too many mistakes.

We need WHO as much as WHO needs our dollars. The U.S. must continue to be a part of global organizations. Trump obviously thinks otherwise.

One of Biden’s first tasks upon election should be to have the U.S. rejoin the many global organizations the U.S. was a part of before the Trump wrecking ball hit.

Robert Unanue is CEO of Goya. A major producer of goods found on supermarket shelves. Especially supermarkets in poorer neighborhoods.

He recently came out publicly in support of Trump.

The backlash big time! Many organisations have called for a boycott of Goya goods.

Unanue is a major corporate leader. His company and he personally make big dollars. I have to believe Unanue’s annual salary is well above $1 million.

In addition to Unanue’s words of Trump support, Republican politicians are racing to his side because of his Trump support. Texas Senator Cruz is one of them.

Florida getting hit badly by coronavirus.

I blame first hand and up front Florida’s  Governor De Santis. Inept and incompetent. Trump’s lap dog. Follows Trump blindly.

The proof of the pudding is that Trump has several times recognized De Santis as the best Governor in America.

The number of Florida cases have exceeded 250,000.

In one day last week Florida experienced the highest number of new cases for any one day: 10,360. That same day, Florida experienced 95 new deaths.

De Santis wants our children to return to school. Parents and people in general have to be crazy to follow De Santis on this point based on his coronavirus track record to date.

Fantasy Fest has been cancelled.

The mini-lobster season occurs on the last Wednesday and Thursday of July each year. People come in in droves to dive for lobsters. I speak of visitors/tourists.

They bring the dreaded virus with them. Conveniently will infect Key Westers and non-Key Westers. Spread the virus without a care.

The Key West City Commission wisely cancelled Fantasy Fest. They do not have the power to cancel the mini-lobster season. Only De Santis has and he has refused.

A few more comments by those opposed to reopening schools. All directed against Trump, of course.

“He is mad people actually are for their kids, DAMN. Dude got Daddy issues big time.”

“Is this man ready to send his son to a public school in the Fall? I want a reporter to ask him this question.”

“It’s like he is actively trying to lose the next election.”

“Now we all know, this monster needs to be stopped.”

Enjoy your Sunday! Remember to wear your mask, social distance, and wash your hands.

Blog commutation today. Hospital tests. Return tomorrow.

Enjoy your day!

The U.S.Supreme Court came down with 2 important decisions yesterday re Trump’s tax returns. Both not good for him.

His returns and other financials will definitely become part of the Manhattan District Attorney’s case. The other case involves subpoenaed Trump tax returns by Congress. Probably will be enforceable. However not as certain as the Manhattan D.A.’s case.

The specifics of the cases not of concern here. The information is already well known via media announcements since yesterday morning.

A significant portion of my practice involved federal court cases. Especially the environmental ones.

The federal courts are overloaded. Too many cases. In every federal court I appeared. The scene always the same.

Part of trial work involves motions. Legal arguments. No clients, no jury. Only the judge and attorneys involved. A point of law to be resolved. Generally important to the case. A successful motion could mean immediate victory then and there.

Judges never broke for lunch. They continued to hear legal arguments through the lunch hour. Eating a sandwich and drinking a can of soda while so doing.

The federal courts then and now overloaded and not enough judges.

The paper work involved in trying a federal case is overwhelming. More for the attorneys involved, rather than the judges. Reams of required responses to relatively unimportant items. Required several days to prepare at the attorney end and time later by the judge’s clerk to review.

The system requires more judges. Problem is the politics of it all. Takes forever, sometimes years, for a nominee to be approved to any of the federal courts.

Ergo. federal cases take on a life of their own. The Manhattan D.A. one around 4 years so far. The Congressional one almost 2 years.

One of the first things taught in law school is Justice delayed is Justice denied. The present federal system has too much delay built into it. The Rules of Court must change.

The paper work must be cut back dramatically. Judges need 1-2 more law clerks each. The law clerks are former brilliant law students who research the law and often prepare rough drafts of the judge’s decision.

The entire system must be looked at and changes made. All to accelerate the process.

What galled me when I was practicing and galls me even to day when I am a retired observer is the wasted years before a decision is rendered. Legal cases sitting for several years to be reached resolve no one’s problems. The pain is now, the resolution should be now. Not 4-5 years hence.

My other concern involves the number of Supreme Court Justices. Every year there is clamor anew for an expansion of the Court. Not because of the time factor. Rather, politics.

Politics will never be fully removed from the process. It is the way it is.

In order to make it possible for Supreme Court cases to move faster, two things are required.

More clerks. For the reasons set forth hereinbefore.

Additionally, the Supreme Court rules themselves must be adjusted to meet the expediency of the times. The Manhattan D.A. decision favors the D.A. However, it must first go back to the trial court for review and application. More delay.

Whether Trump lied on his taxes and financials will not be public knowledge before the election. Not right. The people should know whether their President is a thief before they vote on him again.

My solution again two fold. Redo the court rules to accelerate the process and add 1-2 law clerks to each judge at each level to assist in moving cases faster.

Even a federal judge has the right to a leisurely lunch hour.

The other thing that bothers me is the excitement because Gorsuch and Kavanaugh voted with the Court’s liberal block in both cases.

Judges are human. The black robes do not make them any less people. They are driven by the same motivations and desires as any one else.

I suspect the two may have voted as they did to show the Nation they are not die hard far right Republicans who blindly support Trump. They are cleansing themselves.

See how many times they vote with the liberal block over the next year.

Can’t wait to read Trump’s niece’s book concerning Uncle Donald. Too Much and Never Enough.

She claims Trump paid someone to take the SAT exam for him. Would not surprise me. This past year has seen several parents arrested who arranged the same for their children. I am familiar with a former judge who had a friend take his LSAT exam for admittance to law school so he would be sure to pass and get in.

Trump continues to threaten to cut school funding if schools do not reopen. A tyrannical way to govern. My way or the highway.

Trump has screwed up how the country should be dealing with coronavirus. Look at the numbers! Now he wants to set our children up to die. Merely to get parents back to work. The economy, economy, economy!

Some additional comments I have come across in response to Trump’s cry to reopen the schools.

“I feel fine. I paid somebody to take my coronavirus test.”

“Mr. President, you are a complete buffoon.”

“Who is he going to blame when the kids start getting sick?”

“There is no way that I am going to sacrifice my precious kids to the deadly pandemic! Never!!!”

“He allowed the enemy to murder our men and women who give their lives for our country. You really believe the narcissist psychopath cares about our little ones?”

“The poster child for the face of evil. He’s a bully, full of fear.”

Beginning today, this blog will also appear every day in KONK Life E-Blast.

I am excited.

The picture KONK publisher Guy de Boer picked out of his photo morgue is of me some years ago in Greece. I am on Amorgos and sitting under a overhang at my favorite Amorgos restaurant. I went over late morning each day to do my blog. Ate lunch while there. Spent several hours writing and taking in the scenery.

The restaurant was nothing fancy. Nothing on Amorgos was. Interesting, however.

Greek men sing and dance all the time. Without the ladies.

Frequently about a dozen Greek fishermen would appear at the restaurant for lunch. Joined by the village priest. They sang as a group for a couple of hours.

Me, my blog, some good Greek food, and them! What more could I ask for?

Key West is getting back on the ball in fighting the virus. We were doing well. Then the political leaders succumbed to the cries of the businessmen and reopened our community.

The numbers have gone up.

The writing is on the wall.

As of today, all bar service and bar counters is closed to seating and consumption.

Good! Will dissuade the mainland folks from coming to Key West weekends to party. They bring their germs with them. We do not need them to infect us.

Governor De Santis has done a wonderful job. He has Florida totally screwed up with the virus. Understandable why. He sucks up to and follow Trump’s dictates. Trump says De Santis is the best governor in the U.S. No wonder.

U.S.1 should be closed again. All non-residents banned from entering the Keys. I believe our County and City officials want to do so. De Santis has the final say. So far, no.

May Johnson’s heart continues throbbing for boy friend Ernest who lives and works in Miami. Her suffering appears minimal only. Most evenings she is at La Brisa dancing with everyone.

For this day in 1896, May wrote in her diary: “1 year ago tonight I met my darling. Oh! Happy thought.” A few lines later, May reported: “Went to La Brisa. I danced all dances but two.”

No blog tomorrow. I will be spending the morning at the hospital taking tests. Not for coronavirus.

I am upset. This is day 120 of my self-quarantine. I have left the house only 2 times. Each for less than an hour. To see the doctor. Now I have to go to one of the worst places to be at this time.

Enjoy your day!

KONK Life yesterday ran a 1962 photo of Newt Munson and friends standing on Munson Island.

Munson Island?

Today, Little Palm Island.

The island sits in the Atlantic close to shore. Big Pine a few miles away.

In between the two names, the John Kennedy story PT-109 was filmed there.

John Spottswood at some point bought Munson Island from Newt Munson. He did not rename the island.

Spottswood was a distinguished citizen of Key West. Sheriff and State Senator. Real estate entrepreneur. Fathered a wonderful family who carry on his good name today as well as numerous Key West investments.

President Kennedy was visiting. He and Spottswood were driving around in a convertible. Word was a movie was to be made about Kennedy’s World War II exploits. PT-109. Spottswood mentioned to the Presidnet he had an island that was perfect for filming the story.

PT-109 was filmed on Munson Island. Starred Cliff Robertson as John Kennedy.

At some point in time, others purchased the island. Renamed it and built Little Palm Island, the famous resort and restaurant.

Many years later, Cliff Robertson returned to Key West. As National Chairman of an international fund raising drive for the Mel Fisher Museum.

I met Robertson that evening. He was on in his years. Still good looking. A warm, affable man.

His attire from another era. Everything perfect. Sport jacket, shirt, and slacks. Accompanied by an ascot and white bucks!

The ascot and white bucks in no way detracted from his appearance and charm.

Coronavirus all over the world. Especially the U.S. The bubonic plague threatening to break out of Mongolia. Keys mosquitoes having a field day. For the first time in years, dengue fever has returned. Key Largo up to 11 cases.

Reminds me of the inflictions God imposed on the Pharaoh through Moses.

The Keys are a relatively safe place to live. Even Key West which many who do not live here believe the town is wrought with crime and danger.

Every few years, a strange crime occurs. The recent is not a Keys happening. Rather, St. Petersburg.

A woman was jogging along a road. Discovered a human head 7 in the morning in a grassy area between the sidewalk and road. The head badly decomposed.

Ugh!

The matter is under investigation.

Can’t argue with numbers. The U.S. has 4.2 percent of the world’s population, 25.3 percent of coronavirus cases, and 24.4 percent of coronavirus deaths.

The U.S. has handled the virus problem with gross negligence and incompetence. The blame lying solely with Trump

Due to the virus, many are unemployed in the U.S. Financial hurt covers the nation. Not with everyone, however.

A recent study revealed that in the past year the total wealth of U.S. billionaires swelled by $565 billion.

There is a point to be made. Americans cannot depend on their leadership to look after them. At least not the present leadership.

I am inclined to agree with Trump’s niece who labels him a sociopath. His most recent move evidence of the condition. He wants the children of America back in school.

At a time when the coronavirus numbers are off the wall in many states.

Trump’s concern is not the education of the children. It involves showing what he perceives as his success in handling the virus and providing parents with the ability to return to work.

The man is insane! A generation of our children could be lost.

The choice should be solely parental. Not the federal, state or local governments’. Another 6-12 months of virtual education as opposed to bricks and mortar will not hurt. Life is more important.

I want to share some comments re Trump’s push to get the kids back in school. His position not a popular one.

“Sorry, but all my kids have bone spurs. They won’t be going to school unless those spurs are cured.”

“What an unusual combination: mental retardation, sociopathy, and narcissism.”

“Where are the pro-life people?”

“My children’s health is more important than their education. Being a mother we have to protect our babies.”

“This is like being tied up and gagged in the back seat of a car with a drunken driver at the wheel.”

“It seems like he wants to kill everybody…..now even kids.”

The blind cannot see. Some of those not blind, cannot see.

Even I as a lay person I understand placing a large number of people together without face masks and social distancing is going to result in a coronavirus spike 2-3 weeks thereafter.

Recall the Tulsa rally some 2 weeks ago.

Tulsa is experiencing that spike!

The total number of new cases for monday and tuesday this week were just short of 500.

What will the remainder of the week bring?

Coronavirus continues to affect businesses as well as humans.

United Airlines announced it will furlough nearly 36,000 employees.

Bed Bath & Beyond is closing 20 stores. Sales are down 50 percent.

Brooks Brothers one of my favorite stores. Dressed me and my son for years.

The Company 202 years old.

Filed for bankruptcy yesterday. Intends to close 51 of its 250 North American stores. Brooks will also halt production at its factories in North Carolina and New York in mid-August.

Trump continues to avoid disclosing his personal financial information. I am not referring to his tax returns. Later today, the U.S. Supreme Court will rule if he must and to what extent.

Certain federal employees must annually file a financial disclosure form as to their previous year’s financial activities. Trump has failed to do so. His excuse he has been busy with coronavirus and the report is too “complicated.”

He has filed the report in previous years.

Trump obtained a 45 day extension. The extension ran out one week ago. Trump has still failed to file. Says he will file “as soon as possible.”

Good luck!

Enjoy your day!

Hemingway’s loves were many.

The first Agnes Hannah von Kurowsky.

Hemingway was 18. He wanted to participate in World War I. The U.S. was not yet in the War. He volunteered to be an ambulance driver for the American Red Cross in Italy.

It was on this day in 1918 that Hemingway was wounded. He was struck by an Austrian mortar shell. The two men sanding next to him were killed. Another nearby seriously wounded.

Hemingway had serious wounds to his right foot and knee. He had been rendered unconscious and was under a pile of dirt.

Unknowingly, his consciousness returned. He picked up the wounded soldier next to him, threw him over his shoulder, and carried him back to a first aid dugout.

Totally unaware what he was doing. Never recalled the soldier, never recalled that he carried him back to the first aid area.

The Italian government became aware, however. They considered him a hero. He was awarded the Croce de Guerra, the Italian medal of valor.

He was shipped to a hospital in Milan for surgery and care. His leg wounds serious. His recovery time in the hospital six months. His nurse an American. Her name Agnes Hannah von Kurowsky.

They fell in love. A flaming love. Hemingway a bit younger at 18. Agnes, 26.

Hemingway was permitted a few days away from the hospital. He and Agnes visited Lake Maggiore. They stayed at the Grand Hotel in Stresa.

Following Hemingway’s recovery, he was sent back to the U.S. He thought Agnes would follow soon thereafter and they would be married.

Agnes changed her mind. Wrote a Dear John letter to Hemingway.

He was destroyed.

A Farewell to Arms is based on his experience in the Italian war and his relationship with Agnes. Only the ending different. Instead of the Dear John letter, Agnes’s counterpart died after a terrible trip in a raging storm in a rowboat over Lake Maggiore in an attempt to reach Switzerland. She died in child birth.

Hemingway’s character Catherine Barkley is based on Agnes.

I have been fortunate to have visited Lake Maggiore and the Grand Hotel several times.The Lake magnificent. Strewn with tiny islands. Bright flowers on shore and covering the islands.

I visited the Grand. Thrilling! A step back in time. Hemingway had stayed there, drank there.

The Grand and other hotels in Stresa all from another era. I assume built before 1900. All majestic.

I inquired of the bartender about Hemingway. He never met him. However there was a very old waiter who knew him and had waited on him when he was a bartender back in the time Hemingway and Agnes had been there.

The bartender introduced me to the gentleman I respectfully describe as the old bartender.

He was delighted to share with me those few days he had spent with Hemingway and Agnes. The bar was in the rear of the hotel at the time. Not up front as it was when I was there. He took me to see it. It was a small room. Now used for storage. One window. He showed me where Hemingway sat so he could get a view out the window.

I dined in area restaurants. One was on a small island off shore. A boat ride away. Somewhat like dining these days at Latitudes on Sunset Key. Except the island held only one small building. I had the feeling it once was a chapel. Sat outside on a balcony overlooking the water. Brilliant red flowers all around me.

The preceding merely an interruption. There is more to the Hemingway/Agnes story.

Hemingway had long left Key West. He was living in Cuba when Agnes opted to move to Key West. It was 1951. She remained till 1966. Her purpose in coming to Key West was not to see Hemingway.

Hemingway revisited Key West on occasion. Historians doubt he even knew Agnes was living on the island. Agnes never attempted to meet him. The former lovers never saw each other after Hemingway left Italy.

Agnes lived in Key West 15 years. A librarian at the Monroe County Library.

Agnes never shared her Hemingway relationship with anyone in Key West. However after a number of years, the “trolley car” people discovered her. She finally left in 1966 after becoming upset with the trolley cars going by her home every day and announcing on a loudspeaker that hers was the house where Hemingway’s first girl friend lived, the heroine in A Farewell to Arms, etc.

While still living in Key West, Agnes became friends with Hemingway’s fourth wife Mary.

After Hemingway died, Mary visited Key West to go through some boxes Hemingway had left in a back room at Sloppy Joe’s. It was in one of the boxes that Mary discovered Agnes’ Dear John letter to Hemingway. She also discovered some love notes Hemingway received from Agnes.

Agnes discovered Mary was now living in Key West. She visited with her. Returned the Dear John letter and love notes to her.

Ironically, Mary and Agnes became the best of friends and remained so the rest of their lives.

Enjoy your day!

Man has two basic needs. Shelter and food.  Without, survival can be difficult.

Coronavorus has exposed society to worse shelter and food problems than existed before. An apocalypse is in the making.

In June, 30,000 Americans could not make rent. A federal eviction program exists which has protected many in recent months. However, it ends July 25.

Most are already 3 months behind in rent payments. B the end of July, it will be 4. How will the landlord be paid? Another $1,200 check won’t make things better, assuming another $1,200 check is even forthcoming.

Expect therefore a huge wave of evictions, homelessness, and hunger.

The eviction/homeless numbers are staggering. Experts project 15 percent over 2 months resulting in 17 million new persons on the streets.

Food banks have been doing the job so far. They will be overloaded. Some will go hungry.

The result will be more demonstrations. Actually, riots. Civil disorder as we have not known in recent times. People cannot be denied the basics for survival.

Bubonic plague can be the next pandemic.

This has not been an easy year thus far. First, coronavirus. Recently in Florida, 8 cases of dengue fever. The Fall is coming. Flu season will return .

The bubonic plague is the black death of the Middle Ages. Rarely occurs in modern times.

It occurred recently in Mongolia near the Russian border. Two cases initially. Bad at a time when there should be none.

The cases confirmed. Two brothers. The plague caused by eating marmot meat.

Marmot meat is the “native cuisine” of Mongolia. The relatively small animal is skinned and cleansed. Hot coals are sewed into the stomach of the animal. The marmot is left to cook.

Mongolia now has 146 confirmed cases of bubonic plague. Five hundred four second contact individuals.

The Mongolian government did not screw around. As is evident, they are already into tracing.

WHO is concerned. They have people on the ground in Mongolia.

A noteworthy observation. The Mongolians are paying attention. They are getting on top of the problem immediately. They are not dilly-dallying as the U.S. has with coronavirus.

The Alps are magnificent. Beautiful. Awesome.

I have had the opportunity to visit various parts several times. Snow and ice on the tops of the mountains even in the summer.

I recall a July when when I was staying in a chalet half way up Mont Blanc. Somewhere around the Italian/French border. It was hot.

Woke one morning to find snow everywhere. No green grass left to be seen. Strange as it was, it had snowed overnight. Locals told me not uncommon in the summer. By 11 in the morning, the snow had melted.

The white snow of the Alps is now pink in many places. Described as salmon tinted. Watermelon colored. A bad sign for the Earth’s climate.

The pink is caused by “snow algae.” The algae caused by warmer than normal weather. The effect on the glacier ice and snow is that both melt faster. Resulting in flooding below.

Coronavirus has a serious hold on the U.S. for 2 reasons. A President who has failed to lead by example and who has failed to accept coronavirus as a danger. Another is most people refuse to follow the simple rules required to bring the virus under control. Like mask wearing, social distancing, and washing hands. They also want to party when such is not recommended.

Key West is no different than most other parts of the country. Key West did well initially. Now it has succumbed to the desires of the business community to reopen.

Local coronavirus numbers have steadily been rising since June 1 when Key West and Monroe County reopened. They will increase further as a result of the July 4 weekend past.

Local leaders banned the Fourth fireworks. A wise move. They also have prohibited persons from buying alcohol inside bars where social distancing is being enforced and then taking the drinks outside to a crowded sidewalk to drink where there is no social distancing.

The beaches were closed also.

That’s it.

I would have closed the restaurants and bars. Even though the 6 foot rule in bars and 50 percent rule in restaurants was being enforced.

Tourist came to Key West for the Fourth. They partied.

My friends who were out reported 75 percent of those on Duval were without masks. Mostly tourists. Most young people.

The Town should have been shut down for the weekend. We do not need strangers bringing disease to Duval Sreet.

I was also told the boat business was good. Visitors filled the boats the whole weekend.

Most tourists are coming from Miami-Dade and Broward Counties. They are the 2 highest numbered counties in the whole U.S. for coronavirus.

Miami-Dade closed down. Broward on the way to doing it.

No problem. U.S. 1 to Key West is open.

Monroe County made it easy. Took down the road block June 1. Succumbed to the pressure of local businessmen to reopen.

What will 2 weekends from now hold? An increase in coronavirus cases in Key West. Without question. The town may have to be closed down again and properly so.

Lets put this in perspective. The Key West hospital has only 10 ICU beds. Four already occupied. The rest of Monroe County 8. Where will our sick go? Out of town to be hospitalized and perhaps die.

Many believe we are experiencing the “second wave” of the virus. They’re wrong. Even Dr. Fauci says we have not finished the first yet. He claims the U.S. continues to be “knee deep” yet in the “first wave.”

The U.S. is presently just short of 3 million coronavirus cases.

The numbers keep rising dramatically. Coronavirus is like a meteor. It moves rapidly.

Last thursday represented the highest daily number of new cases in the U.S. Fifty five thousand plus. Up from the previous day’s 52 thousand plus.

On today’s date in 1896, May Johnson caught a chicken and prepared it for dinner: Lena and I “caught a chicken, Lena pulled, I picked, we cooked dinner.”

Reminded me of my youth. Like 4-5 years old. Chickens were bought in “chicken stores.” Not like today in super markets. In fact, no supper markets back then in the late 1930’s and early 1940’s. Big grocery stores at the most.

The chicken stores sold only chickens. The store a room filled with open cases of live chickens. The customer selected the chicken desired. A worker took it behind the counter. Killed and plucked the chicken. Plucking removing the feathers.

We were poor. Could not afford to buy a chicken.

No one who could pay wanted the feet. Bones with little meat and a lot of skin. The stores kept them for those who might have a need. For free. We had a need.

I used to go with my grandmother. The store always had a bag of legs waiting for her. She got enough for the whole family.

The legs were boiled. Made for excellent chicken soup. The bones and skin tasted good and provided the protein portion of a meal.

I do not know what happens to the chicken bones these days. Never have seen in a super market. Someone has to be eating them.

My thanks to everyone who wished me a Happy Birthday. The greetings are still coming in today. You are all wonderful people!

Tonight my blog talk radio show. Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. Trust me, there is much to discuss. I will be in all my glory ranting and raving.

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

Enjoy your day!

Today is my birthday. I am 85 years old.

Big number!

I want to share with you my thoughts re aging on this my 85th birthday.

Everything was just yesterday. Kindergarten, grammar school, first bike, first job, first girl friend, first kiss, high school, college, law school, early days practicing law, marriage, son being born, then 3 daughters, first trial, each step in the development of my practice, great victories, terrible defeats, a dying marriage, the women I loved, the women who loved me, first car, first new car, illnesses, my grandparents, my parents, grandchildren being born, purchase of Key West home, becoming a writer, the Chart Room, my many friends, death all around me in increasing numbers as time goes on.

Yesterday in the sense that all these things occurred time wise for me only yesterday. Not years ago.

Which means time moves fast. The years get shorter. Each succeeding year shorter than the previous. Here it is July and New Years was only yesterday.

You move towards death at a resounding speed.

Death itself does not concern me. I view it as one of two things. When you have had an operation, they inject you with something to put you under. Everything is black. Not even a dream. If there is no after life, such will be death.

On the other hand, I would prefer an afterlife. Not because I want to live forever. Rather I want to see those I loved so much who went before me. Especially my parents and grandparents.

My mind is locked at 35. The body ages, the mind does not. I still think 35.

The body unfortunately does not stay put. Its goal is total deterioration.

I have abused my body on occasion. Not badly, however. Overall took care of it. At 31, I got sick and spent 4 months in bed. I’ve been a hypochondriac since. Which means I go to the doctor frequently. Check every pain and discomfort.

The body is like a car. You have to bring the car to a garage to be tuned up. So too must the body. To the doctor’s office.

I have a number of physical ailments at 85. Take 16 prescription pills a day. Says it all. No need to detail each problem.

Except for one. My heart. My major defect.

We are our parents. My father had a heart problem. For years. He lived to 98, however.

I have the same problem. Hopefully, I will make it to 98.

Genetics are on my side. My grandfather lived to 94. One of my father’s sisters 102.

The mind gets smarter as one ages. It must be the accumulation of knowledge factor. When I was 50, it dawned on me how smart I was. As a lawyer. By 60, I knew everything I had to know in my specialty. I even impressed myself.

The brain has many cells. It seems to accumulate.

Caronavirus scares me. They say we who are 80 plus are most susceptible. Especially if there is an underlying malady involved. I have mine. The heart.

I watch my health. Today is not only my birthday, it is also the 117th day of self-quarantine. I have only left the house two times. For a doctor visit each time and then immediately home.

One thing very noticeable is that you have fewer friends as you age. They die or move away. I sometimes feel I am the grandfather of the Chart Room. I am one of the few long timers left.

My doctors bother me in one respect. I have a few minor problems that should be corrected. No one wants to operate on me. Anesthesia the problem. Seems to kill people at my age.

Another thing is what doctors tell me when I want answers to what is bothering me. They tell me the same thing that they told my father: You have outlived the books.

Should be encouraging. Not.

When abortion first became an issue, I was anti-abortion. My thoughts have since changed. Not the point, however.

One of my concerns then was if we permit the killing of the young (I believe a fetus is life) today, society will permit the killing of the old tomorrow. Tomorrow has arrived and I am one of the old. And society and medicine do occasionally talk about the elderly being expendable in certain cases.

I am not interested in taking a pill at a certain age so others can live.

Research and writing have kept me going. I am mentally alert and sharp. Every day in my 14 years of retirement, I research and write. The blog every day. A couple of books. Working on 3 others I never seem to finish.

I sincerely believe that were I not involved so much with reading and writing I might be sitting in a wheel chair in a nursing home with my tongue hanging out.

I have been a failure at exercise. I used to run and walk. Two to three miles a day for years. Cross country skied every evening after work for years.

Now, nothing. Not healthy I know. The desire, urge has left me over the years. Bothers me especially since my grandfather and father were big walkers for years. Three to five miles a day.

Time brings with it changes. I have tried to keep up. Believe I have done pretty good. The computer an example. I might add I consider the computer THE invention of my generation. The internet can only be described as wow! The biggest things since the industrial revolution.

I hope I bored you not!

Enjoy your day!