As occasionally mentioned, I am a fan of Canadian blogger Ian welsh. Though I do not always agree with his positions. The man is a thinker however and his thoughts interesting to read.

I happen to agree with a blog he published yesterday: Armed Right Wingers Able To Shut Down Michigan Legislature. I paraphrase his blog for your reading.

My thought concisely expressed first. I consider what happened thursday when the Michigan Legislature failed to convene a disgrace. A stepping stone to worse events to occur. We are gradually moving to rebellion/a showdown.

Welsh believes the Michigan Legislature canceled its thursday session  rather than face the possibility of another armed protest and death threats against Governor Gretchen Whitmer. Recall that on 4/30, right wingers playing soldiers and dressed in military fatigues walked the balcony above the legislative chambers armed with weapons.

Intimidation at its worst.

Through the 1970’s, the Democrats were the party of violence. Unions, black disturbances, bombings, etc. Things changed in the 1980’s and have remained changed since then. The Republicans are the party of violence.

Reagan destroyed the Comptroller’s Union and at the same time placed the fear of god in the Democrats. Subtly the violence perspective moved to the Republican side.

Today, Republicans will fight. Democrats will not. They “cry.”

Normal people in normal times would think the police and national guard would be called in to quell these Republican motivated disturbances. Such not easy. The police and guard are loyal to and generally part and parcel of the right.

The authorities would arrest left leaning demonstrators while not bothering those of the right.

An observation. Martin Luther King’s non violence approach fails today. Things change with time. Aggression must be met with aggression.

The left is intimidated. Intimidated by an armed minority. Such is the case with Michigan.

Violence a definite possibility. It may erupt. That’s the way it is.

Trump is a bully. The Republican right are bullies. The only way to bring down bullies is to confront them. Sort of a don’t tread on me situation requiring a don’t tread on me approach.

Welsh suggests 2 reasons why the Michigan legislature gave into violence. First, they think that violence is legitimate. Second, as indicated earlier, they do not trust the police or national guard to stop right wingers who sympathize and support them.

Welsh believes it is time for Antifa and the Black Panthers to become involved. The Black Panthers already have begun escorting certain Democratic legislators.

He also suggests that those who believe fanatically in non-violence exist at the whim of those who believe in violence and are good at it.

Such is the position the left has placed itself in.  The left has come to believe violence is wrong and ineffective.

Welsh believes Michigan represents the fruit of those beliefs.

Violence works. History proves it. Effective violence, if perceived as legitimate, is a winning strategy.

Robert, my Robert. Love him.

Sixteen years old. Yesterday his birthday. Happy birthday Grandson!

A sophomore at Key West High School. A tennis player of merit. He has been designated informally All County. Informally because only half a season played.

A good kid, also. His coach Paul Findly said, “We don’t have the typical award this year, but I give him our coaches award for being that team leader. Robert is just a great kid and a good influence on the other kids. He’s the first to practice and the last to leave.”

Mar-a-Lago is partially reopening this weekend. One problem. Members must bring their own towels.

A $200,000 initiation fee and annual dues $14,000. Bring your own towels!!!

Reason given is that Trump’s home/playground laid off 153 employees due to coronavirus.

My immediate thought is Donald is a cheap bastard. However, he is President. He is not a bastard. He is cheap, however!

Wuhan fears a second wave of coronavirus. It went 1 month without any new cases. Then 6 in one day.

Wuhan is a city of 11 million people. Wuhan has issued an order. Referred to as the “Ten Day Battle.” All 11 million people must be tested in 10 days. The program already initiated.

A Herculean task. The best Wuhan did previously was 100,000 tests per day. Never the less, Wuhan is determined to stop a coronavirus “Round 2” and is going all out with the testing.

Arthur trying to get in the hurricane books second week in a row. Last week a low pressure area east of the Bahamas threatened to become the first hurricane of the year. Failed, however. Turned north and back out to sea.

This week another low pressure area in the same place. Could be Arthur if it becomes a tropical storm or stronger. We’ll know later today or tomorrow.

Its final direction not yet determined. Could hit southeast U.S. or turn north and then back out to sea.

The hurricane season does not begin till June 1. Two early threats concern me. The prognosticators tell us this hurricane season could be a bad one.

Jean Thornton, ready your Birmingham home!

The Girl Scouts were feted at the Whit House yesterday. The Girl Scouts wore face masks. Melania did not. Nor did Donald.

The Keys continue to block the entrance to the Keys from non residents. Properly so. Residents have come through the virus so far in relatively good shape.

Regardless of what the President and Governor say, our local political leaders remain firm in continuing to keep the entrance blocked.

This morning’s Key West Citizen reports a lawsuit has been commenced to reopen U.S. 1. By a couple who have a Duval Street business and live somewhere in the Keys.

Crying boo-hoo! Loss of business, no right to close U.S. 1, etc.

I assume they are part of the protesters who appeared on North Roosevelt Boulevard this past week expressing their desire the check point be removed.

When lawsuits of this nature are brought, generally a third person(s) is the party in interest. Who is or are those persons? Follow the money. The question to be answered is who is paying the legal bills. That’s the person.

May Johnson wrote in her diary this day in 1896: “Received a letter from my dearest.” Who is her “dearest?” I missed it somewhere along the way.

Enjoy your day!

Some of today’s topics unusually interesting.

The first involves Great Britain, the United Kingdom, England, or whatever it was called at a particular time in history.

The Brits were always taxing people and things. They cared not what nor for those being taxed. Only to collect money for the royal coffers.

That is why there was a Boston Tea Party, a need for a Robin Hood, and more.

Today’s subject the Window Tax. The Brits were known as the United Kingdom at the time. A Window Tax was imposed in 1699 and remained in place till 1851.

The Window Tax also referred to as a “bandl tax.”

Windows on a house were taxed. The more windows, the higher the tax paid by the owner.

Necessity became the mother of invention. Everyone wants to pay as little in taxes as possible. Tax avoidance came into play big time.

Homes were built with fewer windows. Older homes had some windows bricked over. The poorer homes covered all the windows.

“Dark and gloomy” became the order of the day. The more blocked windows, the less the light entering from the outside.

As the years progressed, poor and rich alike clamored for a repeal of the tax. It was considered a “tax on health” and a “tax on light and air.” The tax encouraged disease and ill health.

It took 152 years, but the people finally won out when in 1851 the Window Tax was withdrawn.

This past thursday, Trump bare naked his intelligence level. His thought process convoluted.

Trump was speaking at Owens and Minor, a medical supply distributor, in Allentown, Pennsylvania. He said, “When you test, you have a case. When you test, you find something is wrong with people. If we didn’t do any testing, we would have very few cases.”

Brilliant!

Dr. Joseph Fair is known to most of us. He appears frequently on NBC and MSNBC. He is one of their medical consultants.

Dr. Fair is a virologist and epidemiologist which makes him an expert in the study of the coronavirus problem.

He flew to New Orleans last week. The plane was crowded. “Packed” as he described it. The thought occurred to him to get off. However, he did not.

He wore a face mask, gloves, and wiped his area with disinfectant.

Turns out he should have worn googles. So Dr. Fair thinks today.

Three days after the trip, he started feeling lousy. Remained home. Over the course of a few days, breathing became difficult. He could only get 25 percent of his breath into his lungs.

He was off to the hospital. They gave him 4 coronavirus tests. All negative. It took #5 to come up with a positive finding. He was definitely sick.

Dr. Fair believes the virus got into his body through his eyes. Recent studies indicate mere talking can generate droplets that can linger up to 14 minutes.

Goggles would have prevented his coming down with the virus.

Dr. Fair claims he was not at high risk for the problem. Forty years old and in good health. Runs every day. Has no underlying maladies. He said he was in the best condition he has ever been.

Which brought to his mind he probably would have died were he older and not in such good condition.

Dr. Fair remains in the hospital, no longer in critical condition.

Certain prostitutes earn big money.

Some governments tax a prostitute’s earnings. Germany has been doing so for more than 10 years. Germany legalized prostitution so it could tax the ladies.

Other European nations tax prostitutes also. Great Britain is one.

Linda St. Clair began working the streets as a teenager. At a point later in life, she became one of Britain’s leading ladies of the night. Her professional name Miss Whiplash. She was both a prostitute and dominatrix.

Linda owned and operated one of the largest whore houses in London. High class. Some 250 members of Parliament among her customers.

She drove a Rolls Royce.

The British government decided to tax her. She refused to pay. She said if she were to pay, the government would be living off “immoral earnings.” Such was her legal position.

The government said morality had nothing to do with it. The government considered her earnings derived from a “trade.”

Linda fought the tax collector successfully for 15 years. The government never gave up, however. When she saw she would not be able to win, she sold everything. Took her monies and went on a world cruise. Excuse the vernacular, she “pissed” her money away in all the fun spots of the world.

When the government finally got her and had a huge judgment against her, she was judgment proof. Penniless.

Some Trump.

One of the commentors to my blog recently wrote Trump was no “warrior” as he was claiming. He pointed out Trump dodged the draft and mocked a prisoner of war.

The gulf between Trump and scientists regarding coronavirus grows. Trump even finding fault with Fauci.

What did Trump think would happen when his thoughts and those of the scientists were at opposite ends of the spectrum. He obviously expected dedicated professionals to lie.

Trump is learning there are some honest people in the world. Not all are cut from the same bolt of cloth as he.

Coronavirus data as of 5/14 interesting. Actually, surprising.

The data shows trends are significantly rising in the U.S. if the numbers for 3 cities are pulled. New York, New Orleans, and Detroit.

Not a good sign. Indicates things getting worse, not better.

A 6.4 earthquake hit Nevada during the night. Several large aftershocks followed. The quake line near the California border.

Someday again California may experience another of its drastic earthquakes. I recall my good friend Bob Marks being involved in one. So strong, it took down a major bridge in San Francisco. Bob could not get home for 3 days because the bridge was gone.

Some Key West happenings.

Publix cut back on open hours because of the virus. Publix announced that as of tomorrow, it is returning to normal shopping hours. The stores will be open from 7 am to 9 pm.

The virus opened many eyes in Key West as to the pollution the cruise ships were causing. Key West waters have become clear since the cruise lines were shut down.

The cruise ships will return. Many do not want them. I for one do not.

Key West is at the bottom of the list re payments from the cruise lines being permitted to dock here. The cheaper cruise lines bring passengers to Key West. Not the affluent who spend money. Passengers in recent years spend a day walking around and having a drink or 2 at a bar. They skip back to the ship for lunch. Do not spend money on food or anything of value.

And of course the ships themselves pollute our waters and reef big time.

They are not worth it.

The Key West Committee For Safer Cleaner Ships has been formed by some locals. They have opened an office on Caroline street.

They are anti-cruise ships.

The issue is being put to referendum in August. The actual wording not yet formulated. It will either be to limit the number or eliminate cruise ship visits in their entirety.

John Simonton was the first American to own the Island of Key West as it was then known. Simonton died this day in 1854 in Washington, D.C.

The news is the Cow Key Channel Bridge reconstruction is on schedule. I have not seen it. I live one island off Key West. The bridge the only way in and out of Key West. I crossed it twice daily.

Since I am in my 65th day of self-quarantine, I have not seen any of the reconstruction work being done.

I wish they were ahead of schedule. With the virus impacting us, there was substantially less traffic and the contractor should be ahead of schedule. The virus would have turned out to be a benefit in disguise. Unfortunately, the State of Florida does not think that way.

The stone crab business has been taking a beating the past several years. The State now wants to add to the stone crab fishermen’s plight.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has issued a draft to be voted on in July. It proposes to close the stone crab season by 5 months. It also proposes to reduce the minimum size of stone crabs that can be caught.

The 5 months I cannot understand. The reduction in size I can. Only 1/8th of an inch.

Enjoy your day!

Our country is in “woe” shape. Everyone going in opposite directions.

Trump his way. Fails to listen to his own selected medical professionals just as has has done with our intelligence people. The elitists/rich financing and encouraging the “people” to raise hell about returning to work and eliminating restrictions. The nuts of our society playing soldier. Dressing in military fatigues. Carrying guns.

And more.

Wisconsin has a very serious problem. Governor Tony Evers issued a stay at home order. Republican legislators took it to court. Wisconsin’s highest court declared it illegal yesterday.

It was celebration time in Wisconsin last night! The bars were packed. No face masks, no distancing. All over the State. Chaos has been used to describe the partying.

Governor Evers said, “We’re the Wild West!” The Governor sees “more death” on the way.

AXIOS had an interesting article this morning: The Pandemic Broke America. I disagree. Trump broke and continues to break America.

It is in the way he has been handling the coronavirus crisis. Instead of bringing out the best in American people, he is bringing out the worst.

Michigan Governor Witmer is a stand up lady. Gutsy. Knows what her job is and tries to do it every day. In spite of the opposition.

Her latest problem involves her stay at home order. Pits her against a 77 year old barber.

Karl Manker practices his trade in Owosso, Michigan. He refused to close his barber shop. He considers what is happening because of the virus “all nonsense.” Says, “I only want to work”

A group of civilians who enjoy playing soldier have come to his aid. The Military Men. Dressed in fatigues and carrying guns.

They have been standing for days in front of Manker’s barber shop defying authorities to remove the man or try to close him down. They promise to defend Manker from “being hauled away in handcuffs.”

The State suspended Manker’s barber license. He continues to cut hair.

The Michigan Attorney General issued an order closing down the business. The order has not been able to be served because of the Militia.

The matter was in court before the Military Militia were on the scene. Still in court. The judge seems to be dispensing “local justice.” He will do nothing till the State shows ‘irreparable damage” if Manker is permitted to remain open.

Then there are those counties in Pennsylvania where businesses prohibited from doing so will open, stay at home orders out the window, etc. They care not what Governor West says or anyone else.

Trump is heading for Pennsylvania today to show his support for the rebellious counties. He is promoting confrontation by so doing. Not proper for a President to do in these circumstances.

Trump considers himself above the law. He is numero uno. He can do anything he wants. He believes he has the power of a King rather than a President.

The Supreme Court heard argument this past week re Trump’s tax returns. Some think the Court’s decision can establish without question that a President is no different from an ordinary citizen in the eyes of the law.

Christina Farsis in a recent article in Vanity Fair wrote the Court has the opportunity before November’s election “to reassert the notion that Trump is no different in the eyes of the law than any other person.”

I wrote yesterday concerning the protest by some Key West persons about opening U.S. 1 and letting people work.

Today’s Citizens’ Voice carried a reader’s comments re the protest. The reader observed that the protesters were not practicing social distancing nor were they wearing face masks. The reader raised the question as to what will tourists do if they are permitted to return at this time.

The reader posed another observation: “Greed has become very ugly in Key West.”

One time Key West resident Thelma Strabel wrote Reap the Wild Wind. On this day in 1940, she obtained a building permit to construct a home in Key West.

I wrote at length about Strabel, Reap the Wild Wind and Key West in in a 2013 blog. I summarize some of the details today.

Reap the Wild Wind was a novel about Key West wreckers. A successful novel. Strabel’s building permit allowed the construction of a new $12,000 home at 400 South Street.

A movie was made 2 years later in 1942. Starred John Wayne and Paulette Goddard. I did not like the movie. Wayne played a bad guy. The only movie in which he ever played a bad guy. The bad guy image did not set well with me.

Strabel’s novel was serialized in the Saturday Evening Post. Strabel built her Key West home with the monies she received from the serialization.

The house became known as the Southernmost Home in the U.S. The address 400 South street attracted many visitors. The view. It was the last house on South Street. There was a claim that Cuba could be seen from the house. False, of course. No one knew it till they went and took a look.

Strabel sold the house at some point in time. The purchaser tore it down to build a larger home.

I have no idea where 400 South Street was at the time and what, if anything, stands there today.

Medical marijuana is legal in most States today. In a few, even for social smoking purposes.

Not in 2001.

On this date in 2001, the U.S. Supreme Court in an 8-0 decision ruled there was no exception in federal law for people to use pot for medical purposes.

Time heals most things.

Doctors, nurses and other healthcare personnel stood tall and are still standing tall in this time of the coronavirus.

A problem gas arisen, however. Caring for virus patients not as financially rewarding for those involved in medicine. Not high paying care. And when paid, generally medicaid/medicare. Low paying and long times between rendering of the service and payment.

This year alone 1.4 million healthcare jobs have been lost nationally.

I don’t have to tell you. Grocery costs are shooting up because of the epidemic.

U.S. grocery cost the highest in 46 years. Leading the price rises, meat, eggs, cereal, and milk. April experienced a rise of 2.6 percent.

As with Onward Christian Soldiers, the price of groceries will continue to rise.

Last week, 3 million more unemployment claims were filed. In the last 2 months, a total of 36 million.

One of America’s greatest entertainers died this day in 1998. Frank Sinatra.

Michael Flynn’s case is going to become even more interesting. Trump and his cohorts are picking on the wrong Judge He will not put up with their games.

Judge Sullivan will go down in history for his actions regarding what is to come. He is cut from the same cloth as Watergate’s Judge Sirica.

Enjoy your day!

Protests to reopen America, remove restrictions, etc., have finally reached our tiny community. Key West had its first protest yesterday.

It was well organized. Probably elitist backed as in other communities.

The thrust of the protest was to remove the blockades on U.S. 1 at the entrance to the Keys. The blockade has has been successful. The numbers of confirmed cases and deaths speak for themselves.

We did good!

The question now is whether it is time to remove the blockades and let business flow south to Key West. A tourist town cannot be one without tourists.

I believe it is still too early. If those promoting removing the blockades and reopening Key West are wrong, deaths will occur. Mothers, fathers, children, grandparents, friends, etc.

Money is important. The economy itself also. However nothing is more precious than life itself.

The protesters had handouts. Titled: “Let Key West Get Back To work, Let’s Not Commit Economic Suicide.”

The inference is physical suicide is ok. I cannot agree.

Signs were carried. Some of the messages: Open U.S. 1, Honk For Free America, Giving Me Liberty Does Not Give You Death, Let People Work, Open The Hotels, and Remove The Road Block.

From a street in Key West to the floor of Congress. The issue as to whether to open the economy was fought. Dr. Fauci and other leading public health persons testified.

The speakers from their respective homes. Most in shut down because of exposure to some one infected with coronavirus. Many of the Senators at home also. No guests. A sense of vacancy permeated the hearing room.

Fauci was up front. The man does not screw around. He calls them as he sees them. His words struck home: “Needless suffering and death” if the country reopens too soon.

Senator Paul Rand played Republican smart ass. He was insulting. The issue was whether schools should be reopened in September. Fauci did not know. Would have to see how things were as September approached.

Rand was not happy with the response. He confronted Fauci: “Your not the end all.”

Again as we all know, Fauci calls them as he sees them. Fauci came back with: I think we better be careful that we’re not cavalier “when children’s lives are at stake.”

Love the “cavalier!”

Rand’s questioning reflected his thinking. If a few deaths were necessary to bring the economy back, so be it.

Don’t understand. Nothing is more important than life itself.

Here is what I see happening. I could be wrong. It is one man’s opinion.

Forty five of the 50 States are in some part for easing restrictions.

Three problems involved.

The first is the curve has not crushed. It has flattened. In some States, still increasing.

Secondly, once the curve has crushed, if there is no vaccine, it means test and trace. We know vaccine not a reality for at least 1-1 1/2 years, if not longer.

Test and trace requires thousands of tracers. They would have to be hired and trained. Experienced tracers very few.

Third, Covid-19 takes 2 weeks from infection to show symptoms. Two weeks more before those infected begin dying. During the asymptomatic period carriers are contagious. Which means the carrier and those being infected do not know it is happening.

Appreciate 2 weeks to a month suddenly makes things difficult to handle. The virus moves fast. Never forget that March 1 there were less than 100 deaths in the U.S. Today some 2 1/2 months later, 82,000.

The scenario sought by protesters is to remove many restrictions now. They justify the removal on the fact the numbers are declining in most areas.

The number of new cases will start increasing in 2-6 months. This will be the second wave. It will be  greater than the first since the virus is coming off a larger base.

The second wave will be one where people will start dropping like flies. It will make the first wave look like kids’ stuff.

Another issue of concern. The Supreme Court.

The Supreme Court handles cases today the same as it did 100 or more years ago. Everything moves slow. Justice is denied several years as the process moves through the required phases.

In the meantime, justice delayed is justice denied.

Society has changed. We live in a meteoric society. Everything moves fast. So must justice. The system has to be changed to bring it to current times.

Arguments should be televised or carried on the internet. Open the doors and windows!

Court rules for time to do this and that must be radically cut back. Yes, the good Justices would have to work harder and perhaps a bit longer. The reality however is the mere hiring by each Justice of 2 more clerks would solve the load problem.

Many similarities between the 1918-19 flu epidemic and the present day coronavirus one. Face masks were worn. Most wore them without complaint. A few refused. Many poked holes in their face masks in order to smoke.

The flu epidemic was a big one. The coronavirus one nowhere close. Fifty million died world wide. Six hundred seventy five thousand in the U.S. alone.

The bodies of the dead piled up in both instances. It was a struggle to bury the dead.

Admiral Brett Gioir is Trump’s “Testing Czar.” Yesterday the Admiral announced that the U.S. could do 40-50 million tests per day by September.

I’ll believe it when I see it.

It was revealed over the weekend that Florida’s Governor De Santis had been “fudging” the coronavirus death records. In effect, he was “trying to hide information…..trying to paint a rosy picture.”

The information was provided by Barbara Petersen, President Emeritus of the First Amendment Foundation.

De Santis is a loyal Trump follower. Probably the most loyal Governor in the U.S. I have often described him as Trump’s lap dog.

Recall Trump was coming in with lower than real numbers at the beginning. De Santis was following his lead. Both apparently believe the lower the number, the better they are doing.

Last week, Obama referred to Trump as being “an absolute chaotic.” Senate Majority Leader McConnell retorted Obama should keep “his mouth shut.”

McConnell has become power crazy over the years. Politics may be politics. However not right to trash a former President who history will recognize as one of the best ever. Obama worked for the people. Trump works for himself and the rich.

The possible hurricane. I reported on it yesterday. A low pressure area coming towards the southeast Florida coast. About 200 miles east of the Bahamas at the time.

If it reached hurricane strength, would be called Arthur.

Ain’t going to be no Arthur. It was reported this morning that the developing storm had turned north and would end up heading out to sea.

Thank God. Too early for a hurricane. Always too early for one.

A man of history. Our children’s children’s children will read about him.

Winston Churchill.

On this day in 1940, Churchill as the newly elected Prime Minister addressed Parliament for the first time. Great Britain was the lone democracy left battling Hitler. The U.S. not yet in the war.

Tough times for Britain.

Churchill said in his address, “I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears, and sweat.” He promised his country and the world that the British people would “never surrender.”

They didn’t.

Enjoy your day!

When coronavirus victims began dying in significant numbers, many said Trump had blood on his hands.

I agreed.

I go a step further at this time. He now is responsible for the blood of children who have died. Their deaths caused by Kawasaki. A disease that is in effect a spin off of coronavirus.

Adults are one thing. Children another.

New York State alone has recently reported 93 children afflicted. Five have died.

The disease attacks children under the age of 5. Their blood does not wash off.

Coronavirus is in the White House. Donald’s home.

He not yet afflicted. Everyone wearing face masks, except for Trump and Pence. Tough guys! Till the virus hits them.

It is inevitable. The virus will spread within the White House. It will ravish the Nation’s home.

New York columnist Hannah Selinger wrote in a recent article: “In this pandemic, President Trump has botched absolutely everything from the top down, now even those in his innermost circle are suffering because of it…..His White House is our mirror. As we crumble out here, he crumbles in there, too.”

The flu epidemic of 1918-20 was a disaster also. Fifty million died world wide. In the U.S., 675,000.

People wore face masks as recommended. Few made the fuss that is occurring today. Those that generally succumbed were smokers. They poked a hole in the mask in order to smoke.

I doubt we will reach the 675,000 dead in the U.S. as in the flu epidemic. U.S. numbers presently in excess of 80,000.

One problem back then is similar to one experienced in recent months. The U.S. struggled to bury its dead.

Yesterday, I mentioned what I have been suggesting for a couple of years. The U.S. is headed for a revolution.

The most recent situation suggesting rebellion possible are the Pennsylvania counties who are opening for business in spite of Governor Wolf’s schedule for reopening. The people of those counties want to open now!

Appears to be another organized effort. What “elitist” group is behind this one?

The District Attorneys for the counties  involved say they will not prosecute those who reopen. Some Sheriffs have advised they will not enforce the restrictions.

It was reported yesterday that Florida’s Governor De Santis had “fudged” the death numbers to make his State look good. He reported a lesser amount than had actually passed on.

Trump is no help in discouraging the threat. In fact, he encourages it. He said, “The people of Pennsylvania want their freedom now.”

Forget not Michigan where recently militia attired persons were walking around the balcony of the Legislature armed with war guns.

Lori telephoned yesterday. Beauty parlors opening today. She thought I would be excited.

I was not. In fact, I chastised her a bit. Only because I care for her. Unless money was an issue, told her she should stay home. Then I hit her with my 61st day of self-quarantine. Followed by I had shaved my head bald twice on my own.

I could hear the disappointment in her voice as I went on. I was sorry I even shared my thoughts with her. My concern was actually for her.

We left it that I would call when I was ready to return to normal living.

What is the real estate market going to look like down the road. As soon as late summer and then until the coronavirus moves on.

My Key West real estate friends I talk with say everything will be ok. I view their thought as wishful thinking. They tell me in return…..Look at the stock market…..In spite of its first initial big dip, it is holding steady in the low 2,000’s.

I tell them the market is no indicator where the economy is going. Main Street and the little people are not profiting from the stock market nor is it their monies that are keeping the market steady. It is the large corporations that are making money hand over fist in the crisis. Companies like Walmart and Amazon.

I see 2 impacts affecting the real estate market. Both of which will work to keep prices down.

One is home owners will not list. They do not want people tramping through their homes during the Covid-19 crisis.

The other is people will not have the money to buy. Look at the millions presently out of work. Not all will have jobs to return to when the crisis passes.

The super abundance of available housing under the circumstances is described as “pent-up supply.” A declining market.

The San Francisco Bay area’s North Bay an example. The pent up supply growing rapidly. April’s numbers for this year were down 62 percent from April last year.

Notice now that coronavirus has found a foot hold in the White House, Trump has a “testing strategy” for the White House. Not for the rest of the country, however.

We are still waiting.

Trump proceeded what he thought was going to be a celebratory press conference yesterday in the Rose Garden. Turned out to be a disaster with Trump leaving the stage when 2 female reporters exercised their rights.

Two big banners strung between columns hung in the background. In big bold letters something to the effect Victory Is Ours or whatever. I cannot recall the exact words. However such is close enough.

Trump said in his introductory speech, “We have met the monster and we have prevailed.”

Last but not least, Trump repeated what he has many times the past few months: “America leads the world in testing.”

If such is the case, why have only 2.7 percent of our population been tested?

Trump also threw in that the U.S. will have 10 million face masks by the end of the week.

Trump has a problem with his staff. It appears no one wants to speak truth to power. They permit and/or help Trump to make asinine false statements.

Tuesday again! Time is moving fast. Must be my age that makes me think so.

Tonight is my blog talk radio show. Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. Nine my time. Oh so much to rant and rave about. Donald digging his hole deeper and deeper.

Join me for a fast moving and interesting half hour. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou.

Enjoy your day!

A leader should set the examples by which his people should live. He should not say do this and then he does the opposite.

The face mask! Trump refuses to wear one. As the coronavirus stealthily creeps into the West Wing, he may be sorry at some point he has not.

Pence seems to follow his leader. He refuses to wear a face mask.

It is possible he may be afflicted. His right hand person Katie Miller has come down with the virus.

Pence was at a meeting in Iowa where 5 CEO’s from food industries were present. Pence was not going to wear a mask during the meeting. The 5 CEO’s were asked to remove theirs. They did.

To add to the interest factor, all this occurred AFTER Pence became aware his Press Secretary was coronavirus sick.

The Tara Reade sexcapade continues. She was on FOX the other night. Nothing new came out.

Two thoughts have developed in my mind. If Biden was interested in sexually molesting Reade, why did he do it in a “public corridor?” The other, why has no one else come forth with similar type charges? These cases generally have “victims” coming out of the woodwork in droves.

Someone commented in my blog over the weekend with what might be an appropriate solution to the Reade accusation.

Biden and Trump will be opponents in November. Why not have both agree to take polygraph tests?

I would love to see Trump’s response to the suggestion.

I have a growing concern regarding Trump and the anti-lock down militias.  There is an itching for violence.

Received an e-mail from Tino.

Coronavirus has resulted in no work as an extra. Their need has been eliminated since it requires crowds of 50-100 waiting standing/sitting in a confined space to determine who will be selected.

Tino suspects when “extra work” returns, few if any seniors will be selected.

Tino also advised he has fallen 4 times this past year. Doesn’t know why. It just happens.

He fears a broken bone. A fractured hip especially.

Enjoy your day!

To all Moms, Happy Mother’s Day. Includes my Mother who has been gone many years.

A mother is a forever friend. Think about it. I can clearly recall my Mother being there for me even in my older years. She was a constant comfort as only a mother can be.

So much to share today. Combining 2 days of notes. From this point forward, I am writing as if today’s blog is a Morning Stew.

The coronavirus numbers for Monroe County and Key West are relatively good. On the low side. Seventy nine cases in all of Monroe County, with only 3 deaths. Thirty seven of the cases in Key West. None of the deaths occurred in Key West.

I attribute the success to our governmental leaders who were on top of everything and on occasion imposed restrictions even harsher than the State. I also attribute the good numbers to the people of the Keys. A different breed in most instances. Understand what is involved and follow the rules.

There have been exceptions, though few. The most glaring friday night. Smokin’ Tuna. It opened for friday night and saturday night.

A mistake of the highest order!

Photos show the place was packed. Everyone having a good time. No masks. Restrictions ignored.

Charlie Bauer is Smokin’ Tuna’s managing partner. He issued an apology saturday on Facebook. He thought they were doing the right thing. Give the locals a chance for a night out.

He did not expect the huge crowd.

Whatever, he acknowledged the error and promised Smokin’ Tuna would sin no more. Smokin’ Tuna had been following the rules up to friday night.

I am curious to see if any coronavirus cases pop up in 3-4 weeks involving persons who were at Smokin’ Tuna friday night. I suspect there will be.

There is a move to have a referendum re cruise ships. How many should be permitted. I say none. However it appears the referendum’s purpose is to limit, not eliminate.

In one month, 20.5 million unemployed. The virus hits hard!

The number represents 14.1 percent of the working population. The highest unemployment figures since 1933. Double 2008.

The number is expected to go up for May.

Life will be different after this epidemic ceases. Jobs are not going to jump out. It will take several years for things to return to a near normal state as we understood it prior to coronavirus.

Trump has his hands full with the epidemic. He continues to add to his burden, however. The problems with Saudi Arabia and China examples.

Now comes Venezuela. A mercenary group attempted an invasion in order to overthrow Maduro. It was like the Bay of Pigs. Failed. The mercenaries employed by Silvercorp USA. Most retired Green Berets.

Sixty men captured. Two were Americans.

Many who perhaps should not have “eaten” from the Paycheck Protection Program have.

A most recent example the Catholic Church. Nine thousand Catholic Churches were approved to receive loans. The Church’s argument is they have a payroll to meet re Church employees.

Note the Catholic Church has one of the strongest lobbies in Washington.

Note also the Catholic Church pays no taxes.

Protestant and Jewish religious organizations also received loans, but to a lesser degree.

Thomas Jefferson viewed Napoleon Bonaparte as “a cold-blooded, calculating, unprincipled usurper, without a virtue; no statesman, knowing nothing of commerce, political economy, or civil government, and supplying ignorance by bold presumption.”

Many of the “qualities” Jefferson found in Napoleon can be found in in Trump.

Then there was Santa Anna. The Mexican President who slaughtered every man at the Alamo. He considered himself the Napoleon of the West.

Trump may consider himself a Napoleon of sorts. The Napoleon of the Americas?

On May 9, 1960, the world changed for women. The FDA approved the birth control pill.

The Beatles were hot stuff for many years. Especially in 1964. They held the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100 for 3 1/2 months. The group’s success began with “I Wanna Hold Your Hand.”

It seemed like the Beatles would be #1 forever.

There is no forever in anything, however.

On May 1, 1964 there was a new top performer with a new tune. Louis Armstrong and Hello Dolly. No one expected a man of his age to be on top again. He surprised everyone!

This past week a big one for coronavirus. Made it into the White House.

First Trump’s personal valet. Then Pence’s Press secretary Katie Miller. She is Stephen Miller’s wife. Stephen is Senior Advisor to Trump with an office close to the President’s.

Ivanka Trump’s personal assistant was then diagnosed with the virus.

Yesterday, it was announced Dr. Anthony Fauci was going into a “moderate quarantine.” The man who is America’s top gun re the virus. He had been exposed.

The same day, it was announced that CDC Director Robert Redfield and FDA Commissioner Stephan Hahn had also been exposed. They are in home confinement and will work from home.

The word is Trump still refuses to wear a mask. Even in the Oval Office. Even though the virus is appearing around and near him.

Trump is a known germaphobic. Yet he reuses to protect himself and others by wearing a mask. One tough guy! He’ll go nuts if he gets as sick as Boris Johnson did.

I cannot understand Trump’s thinking in general about the virus. On March 1, there were less than 100 dead in the U.S. Today 9 weeks later, 75,000.

May Johnson apparently better. Was up and about this saturday in 1896. Even went to La Brisa.

Obama said of Trump this past week: He is “an absolute chaotic disaster.”

Little Palm Island Resort to open soon.

The resort prior to Hurricane Irma was considered one of the finest and most expensive in the U.S. On September 10, 2017, Irma hit as a Category 4. Wiped Little Palm Island out!

Renovation and rebuiding has cost $34 million.

A Nobel Resort. Nobel known for fine accommodations.

Little Palm Island will continue to be expensive when it reopens. Actually, a bit more expensive. Off season, accommodations $1,500-$2,000. In season, $1,900-$3,800. Per night, of course.

On this day in 1940, Winston Churchill became Britain’s Prime Minster.

Three days later in his first speech to Parliament, he said, “I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears, and sweat.” He promised his country and the world that the British people would “never surrender.”

Che Pasa stated in an article: “We’re in uncharted waters without a captain and without a vision of where we are or should be headed…..We should be past the point of blaming anyone; we never got to the point of actually doing anything about the existential crises we knew we would face. And so we drift along.”

I cam across a comment this week that I wrote down but failed to note its source. I never the less share it with you. It involves an issue the Democrats may be mishandling: “Democrats pretending that 27 year old claims of sexual something matter, but dementia and corruption do not…..Democrats are being side tracked.”

Biden has to hit hard on every front!

Enjoy your Mother’s Day, enjoy your Sunday!

Good morning! Almost afternoon.

There will be no blog today. I’m tired and pissed.

Research complete. Too tired to write, however.

I fell last night. Down the stairs. Nothing broke. Everything hurts. And my blood thinners have left me with a number of bruises. Even actually bled in 4 places last night.

My fault. I was not using the cane.

I have been having trouble with Bank of America and Instacart since my card got hacked and was replaced by Bank of America. Instacart would not deliver saying that Bank of America was declining my charges.

Finally resolved the problem by having Insacart paid with another card I had on file with them.

Everything supposed to be ok at that point. Not. For several days, Bank of America keeps declining my charges on the new card. I thought the problem was with Instacart. It was. However after resolving it, Bank of America continued to decline my Instacart charges.

Finally got a human being on the phone with Bank of America this morning. The first time I have ever been pleased with how Bank of America handles things. They are much like Comcast.

Frances from Nevada straightened the whole thing out. Bank of America had never corrected the problem when Instacart said the bill had been paid.

Took quite a while to finally correct the problem, however. At one point, I told Bank of America to pay the $55.42. I did not care if I was paying the bill twice. Just free up my card!

Everything done. I am fine now. Still can’t use the Bank of America card. I was told it would take 24 hours for their records to be corrected.

I am tired from the bullshit this morning and the pain remaining from last night.

Some of today’s research will appear in tomorrow’s blog. Has to do with the rip off being pushed by Trump’s people with the newest stimulus package. What is being done is Kudlow and company are telling everyone to tell everyone that it is a Main Street stimulus whereas it is primarily a bank bailout with taxpayer dollars up to $6 trillion over a period of 4-5 years.

We are being hoodwinked again!

Enjoy your day!

A trip back to a popular TV series in the 1970’s: Welcome Back, Kotter.

Remember? Assuming you were born and had a few years added on.

Kotter was a middle aged school teacher who returned to his scrappy Brooklyn neighborhood to teach remedial students at his former high school.

He found things different.

The show was originally labeled Kotter. A song was written involving the show. Its title: Welcome Back. The song became a pop hit in May 1976. The number one song in America.

The TV show was renamed Welcome Back, Kotter.

A fun show. One laugh after another.

The students were humorous hoods off the street. Kotter had to deal with them.

John Travolta one of the stars. He played Vinnie Barbarino. A black leather man. Good with the ladies. Knew everything. The leader of the pack.

Interesting to note John Travolta never graduated from high school.

The participants had sayings they uttered every show. Travolta’s was “What, what?” Arnold Horshack’s “Oooh, oooh, oooh.” Freddie “Boom Boom” Washington “Hi therre.”

Kotter the teacher. His full show name Gary Kotter. His famous bit “Up your nose with a rubber hose.”

T-shirts became big sellers because of the show’s popularity. Uncle Sam and King Kong. The students were known as Sweathogs. T-shirts with their picture, the label Sweathogs and Off My Case Toilet Face.

Memories.

The show a good one. Made people laugh.

The Chinese announced the result of a recent clinical study. Small, yet soon to be expanded.

The study revealed that coronavirus was found in the semen of some men afflicted with the virus. If correct, sex can result in the transmission of the disease.

Not surprising. Coronavirus can be found in stool and certain body fluids.

I take 11 different pills a day. Some twice a day. My totally daily intake 19.

They must work. I’m still here.

One is a blood thinner.

Blood thinners show promise for boosting survival chances in the sickest coronavirus patients.

The Michael Flynn saga continues. Five years already.

Attorney General Barr’s directing Justice to move to have his plea withdrawn and the charges dismissed a perversion of Justice. Reflects the exercise of favoritism at the highest levels of government.

The motion is not automatic. The Judge must decide if the relief sought will be permitted.

Judge Sullivan has shown streaks of toughness at various phases. If I were Judge Sullivan, I would deny the motion and appoint a Special Prosecutor. One outside government at this time. A leading attorney. Let him get to the bottom of why this gross miscarriage of justice is being attempted.

Recall Watergate. The break in desperadoes would have gotten away with it if Judge Sirica had not smelled a rat. Something did stink in Denmark. Sirica dug for it.

All paid. Including Nixon and his closest cohorts. Note that it was Sirica who ordered Nixon to turn over the tapes.

Trump keeps seeking to destroy the Justice department and the FBI which is a part of it. His lack of respect for our system of law must stop. His followers cease and desist.

Over Trump’s 3.5 years in office, he has wracked and wrenched the offices of Justice so that many people believe there is corruption within. An absolute falsity, except of those like Barr who have done Trump’s bidding.

A society cannot survive if there is no respect for law. The law must apply to everyone, regardless of position. Otherwise there will be rumblings. Tie them in with all other faults developed by Trump and revolution is possible.

Things have gotten way out of hand.

Everything Trump touches, he contaminates. Disrupts. Destroys.

Take Saudi Arabia for example. Trump’s friend. Or, was.

The Saudis pissed Trump off about something. Trump retaliated. Using the power of America’s shale oil, he caused Saudi Arabia’s oil to drop in price dramatically.

The Saudis have threatened to retaliate. They may. The country is teetering. The Princes could fall.

U.S. military have been stationed in Saudi Arabia for years to protect the Saudis from an Iranian invasion. Trump has or is removing U.S. forces. Everyone and everything.

U.S. troops home, the Patriot anti-missile system home, 2 U.S. jet fighter squadrons home. All that remains will be U.S. Naval presence in the Persian Gulf.

Recall Trump’s visit to Saudi Arabia soon after his election. He was treated like royalty. The Saudis sucked up to him good. He did not even understand what was happening.

Trump pulls out U.S. troops for something that most recently upset him. Thus leaving the Middle East more vulnerable to war than ever in recent years.

David Beasley, Director of the UN World Food Program, announced tuesday that famines of “biblical proportions” could occur within months. He said, “The world is on the brink of a hunger pandemic crisis.”

I had an opportunity to review some present day photos on the internet yesterday of the Key West of today. Ain’t nobody on the streets. The town deserted. As if some strange disease swept the community and no one survived.

Harry Truman loved Key West and Key West loves Harry Truman.

The great man was born this day in 1884 in Lamar, Missouri.

Poor Alice Reid Griffin. She was Key West’s leading Madam in the 1930’s and into the early 1940’s. Her houses of ill repute famous and well attended.

The authorities were always closing her down. The Navy pushing the local gendarmes. The Navy thought sex with a prostitute unhealthy.

Alice always came back. She would open somewhere else.

However all things at some point must come to an end. Nature’s way. On this day in 1941, Alice was sentenced to 3 years in federal prison for violation of the Mann Act. Prohibited white slavery. Alice had transported a woman from Atlanta to work for her in Key West.

She was sentenced to 3 years in federal prison.

It was Cocktails at 7 last night. Third time. Cathy in Seattle and Louis in Key West. We Skyped for a couple of hours, had a drink or 2, and enjoyed.

Enjoy your day!

Many nations world wide are feeling the coronavirus plague. Most still in tough shape. In varying degrees. The U.S. one of the worst. Greece on the other hand is coming through this disaster in relatively good shape.

Numbers first. Numbers an effective way of telling the story. I acknowledge the U.S. is larger citizen wise than Greece. Considerably. Never the less, the contrast is revealing.

As of this morning, the U.S. has 1,270,000 confirmed cases, deaths 75,000 plus. Greece, 2,663 confirmed cases, 147 dead.

Theo Markis and Jim Brown are 2 Greek friends. I have commented about them in the past. I mentioned 2 weeks ago how both were shocked that people in the U.S. were going into the streets protesting stay-at-home rules, etc. They thought those doing so in the U.S. were crazy. Lives were at stake!

Yesterday, I came across a photo on the internet. Showed 3 Greeks at a table in a restaurant. Table rectangular. The 3 seated awkwardly. Obviously paying attention to the 6 foot rule still in effect.

A police officer was measuring the distance between them with a tape measure.

That is how serious Greece is about the virus!

The Greek government and people were up front with each other and in unison from the beginning. The government told the people what to do. They did it.

The level of commitment and action were without deviation. Everyone wanted to live. They conducted themselves in such fashion that demonstrated an awareness of the severity of the problem.

The people understood from day one that what they had to do was not a drill, not a time to give up, nor a time for excuses. It was time to pull out all stops in the fight to defeat the virus.

Success in Greece’s instance can also be measured in another fashion. Acropolis and Parthenon. Too bad it is not possible for all to see Athen’s Acropolis hill.

The ruins sitting on top say it all. History preserved to this day.

Many climb the hill daily. Primarily tourists. Greece as part of its attack on the virus, closed Acropolis, Parthenon, etc. on March 13.

I am pleased to share that Acropolis and the magnificence still standing on top will reopen to visitors May 18. A mere 9 week shut down.

Why, because the government  and people of Greece took the bull by the horns and did the necessary. Something we in the U.S. do not always do. It is the nature of our laws and the way we have been brought up.

We are like children. How many have to die before we learn we cannot have it our way all the time?

A better President from day one would have helped also.

I mentioned sewage testing a few days ago as a method to determine levels and locations of coronavirus. Could be a help to the U.S. since we are not testing effectively.

I have since learned the Netherlands is successfully following cononavirus via the sewage method.

Pakistan has been successfully using sewage testing for a different problem. To monitor the polio virus. To identify hot spots for attacks.

I used to think Pence was smarter than Trump. Though screwy from a religious perspective.

Pence it turns out either lies as Trump or has Trump’s mental deficiencies or both. Two weeks ago, Pence said, “By Memorial Day Weekend we will largely have this coronavirus behind us.”

This past week, Pence said disbanding of the Task Force was possible because of  “the tremendous progress we’ve made” against the virus.

How? In less than 2 months, we have seen more Americans die than in Vietnam, the Persian Gulf, Afghanistan,  and Iraq Wars combined.

Nicholas Kristof in a recent Opinion Piece in the New York Times wrote, “The virus is winning.”

A UN official recently said, “None one is safe until everybody’s safe.”

True. The virus spreads everywhere. Knows no boundaries. The nations of the world must join together in fighting it.

More than 80 nations afflicted with coronavirus joined together last week via the internet to discuss working together and raising money for the projected effort. Just under $8 billion was pledged.

Trump failed to participate nor would he give permission to anyone to represent him.

Birds of a feather. Putin did not participate nor have anyone represent Russia. Russia is getting killed big time at the moment by the virus.

Russia is reluctant to share their number of dead.

Recently, 3 Russian doctors involved with the virus fell out of windows. Two died, one injured. Foul play is suspected. One thought is that the government was sending a message to people working with the coronavirus problem: Speak not of Russia’s failure!

Some Key West.

Understand first that I share little information about Key West because there is nothing to report. Key West has been under a strict shut down. Began opening monday a bit. Nothing news worthy at the moment, except for the Duval Loop Bus.

Another problem is I am not out on the road evenings as previously. Today is my 57th one in self quarantine. Eight weeks! Can you imagine! I envision at least 1 more month. Perhaps 2.

I am not complaining.

However being home all the time makes it difficult to see if anything is going on. Even the Chart Room remains closed.

This morning’s Citizen reported the Duval Loop Bus will no longer be free. It has been since its opening 3 years ago. Effective immediately, a charge of $1. Except for residents who will still be able to ride free.

The reason for the charge is the lack of tourist revenue during the virus crisis has left the City with insufficient monies. It’s revenue from any source time.

Gluttony is part of Key West’s life. All areas blamed. Public as well as private. My fear is Key West is going to kill the goose that lays the golden egg. Prices the past several years for everything have gone through the roof. Even tourists will only take so much.

The City Commission I suspect recognizes this $1 charge might not be a smart move. Recall that it was a straw that broke the camel’s back. The Commission agreed to look at the matter again in 6 months.

May Johnson. Her diary clearly indicates life was different in 1896. Socialization was primarily visiting people. Going from house to house.

La Brisa at the end of Simonton Street was a place the upper class frequented to dance and party. It was not for the poor.

On this day it appears May was better. She had been sick in bed for 2 weeks with the “chills.” She dressed, though did not go to work.

She did go to La Brisa in the evening where she “had a very pleasant time.”

Cocktails at 7 scheduled for last night cancelled. Seven o’clock my time in Key West is 4 in the afternoon in Seattle. Cathy had to work late.

We are rescheduled for 7 tonight.

She asked what my booze situation was. Nothing. I have not been out of the house. I will drink Diet Pepsi while you imbibe. No problem.

One hour later a knock on my door. She had ordered a quart of Beefeaters and it was being delivered.

Nice lady!

Enjoy your day!