Better to begin with a happy event. Too many sad ones recently.

On this day in 1805, the U.S. Marines attacked and conquered the Tripolitan port city of Derna. The Marine hymn words “to the shores of Tripoli” born of the battle.

The U.S. was a young nation. Still seeking respect from other nations.

Pirates from the Barbary states in North Africa were raiding U.S. ships. Successfully. American sailors were abducted and held for ransom.

The war with the pirates was 4 years old. President Jefferson had it. He ordered the U.S. Navy to the Mediterranean Sea to protest the attacks on American vessels.

Derna was located in Tripoli. It was there that the significant battle was to be waged. By U.S. Marines.

This was not a ship to shore event. The Marines had to travel 500 miles over desert to reach Derna. This they did.

U.S. agent William Eaton led the forces of Marines and Berber mercenaries. The Marine leader was Lt. Presley O’Bannon.

The Marines won a glorious victory.

Two historical factors were born of the battle.

The first is today’s Marine sword. Elaborately designed. The pattern representative of the battle. The sword carried by today’s Marine officers.

The other specific words in the Marine hymn. From the Halls of Montezuma to the shores of Tripoli…..the Tripoli portion presenting the Derna victory.

A return to the normal. The trials and tribulations our nation is suffering at the moment.

Rudy Giuliani has returned!

His dementia obvious.

He slammed Dr. Anthony Fauci over the weekend. Like saying God isn’t good.

It appears Trump may be getting ready to dump Fauci. Blame him for the coronavirus. Fauci appeared only once last week at the Task Force briefings.

Giuliani  has developed into a muckraker. Especially when he attacks Fauci. He claims Fauci is responsible for the “damn virus that is killing us.”

Several years ago, Fauci approved a $3.7 million grant to Wuhan Laboratory. The Laboratory connected with the outbreak of the coronavirus epidemic.

Giuliani went on to indicate it was China’s intent to “weaponize” the virus. Thereby affecting the U.S.

The accusation typical Giuliani. Typical Trump. Giuliani said, “I don’t want to make any accusations.” Throw the thought out in the form of an accusation and let it hang there.

Already facts are coming to the forefront indicating no wrongdoing on Fauci’s part.

The Lab did not receive all of the funding. Everything else re China’s plan to infect, etc. unsubstantiated.

Giuliani says Fauci violated an Obama rule. One which prohibited the U.S. from giving money to any laboratory fooling around with viruses.

Typical of Giuliani accusations, he may next accuse Fauci of having had an affair with a staff member of the Laboratory. She made him do it!

Our politics are not just down and dirty. They are sick! The sickest I have seen.

Bill Gates is a man to be admired. I respect his successes. I respect what he and his wife are doing in these times to improve the world.

Microsoft. Gates was instrumental in creating a new industrial revolution.

His wealth appears to know no bounds. Deservedly so. He and his wife Melinda recently purchased a $43 million home near San Diego. They also purchased an $18 million house in Santa Fe.

Gates has appeared recently in the media. He has ideas and solutions for the coronavirus. In addition, thoughts and solutions for other maladies.

He puts his money where his mouth is. Significant amounts. To research and resolve the world’s dilemmas. The house costs pale in comparison.

I share this portion of the Gates story with you because some are beginning to knock the guy for his recent house purchases. They fail to mention his huge dollar contributions to charitable causes.

I look at it his way. The man made the money. His “invention” advanced the world tremendously. He is the Thomas Edison of our time. He can spend his money any way he wants.

Back to the increasing food shortages. An issue I have been discussing for some time.

We have a food shortage problem! I am not sure everyone recognizes it. What is required to make more people take notice, I do not know.

Food is rotting in the fields. At the same time that shortages are evident in supermarkets.

Many reasons involved. Two more significant than others.

The first is that the food “supply chain” has collapsed. People forget that food is grown/prepared in one place. Demand is in another.

Due to the epidemic, many of the jobs required to get the food from one place to another are gone. People out of work because of coronavirus. For example, truck drivers and those who arrange the product in whatever form for delivery.

The supply chain is broken.

Another involves fresh fruits and leafy greens. Covid-19 caused people to raid supermarkets and buy “non-perishables.” Things they could store. They forgot about fresh fruits and vegetables.

The food shortage is only going to get worse. The food bank lines longer. People not working. Stimulus checks better than nothing. However not enough to properly support a family.

Some observations concerning the economy and letting the elderly die.

Mike Norman Economics reports, “We need a real fucking plan, you shitbags.”

Strong words. True, however. The U.S. is wandering aimlessly in a reactive fashion rather than proactively. Some reactiveness required. An overall plan necessary, also.

McConnell says he favors “letting the States declare bankruptcy.”

His lunacy more skillfully stated than Trump’s. Trump comes out hitting away, with little thought. McConnell thinks things out before he speaks and many times has a reason not initially evident behind his statements. A skillful mind, a devious mind.

McConnell fears “revenue replacement…..We’re not interested in solving their pension problems for them…..We’re not interested in saving them from bad decisions they’ve made in the past.”

What is he saying? Some believe his words are intended to mean we should avoid the costs of caring for retirees and just let them die off faster. And in case you do not understand, the Republican right wing wants the elderly to die sooner than later. What’s the purpose in keeping them alive?

An example used involves New York City and coronavirus. Two thirds of all Covid-19 deaths involve people 70 or older. Who make up only 10 percent of the population. Their care and confinement expensive.

Then there are Medicare and Social Security. Think of the money that will be saved!

They think this way and talk this way. They are as bad as our Russian, Iranian and North Korean enemies.

Beware!

Enjoy your day!

Genesis 19 recalls Gomorrah as a place where “grave sins” were committed. Flagrant sins.

Studio 54 opened in New York City on this day in 1977. Disco! Big time! The global epicenter of the disco craze.

Immediately became the most famous night club in the world. Drugs and sex the attraction. Drugs not my thing. Fine looking women another story. All beautiful!

I visited 2 times in my late 30’s.

A class club.

I had a limousine driving me around. My days in New York were extremely busy. Several different conferences in different parts so Manhattan. I required the limousine. I general kept it for a night on the town afterward.

I had already stopped at a couple of bars and restaurants. It was late. Asked the limo driver if I could get into Studio 54. “No problem, Mr. Petrone.”

He made 2 telephone calls. One to make my reservation. The other to announce when we arrived that I was there.

The doorman open the limo door and said, “Welcome to Studio 54, Mr. Petrone.” Immediately knew I was going to like the place.

I did not have to pay, though there were long lines of others waiting to get in and/or pay. I was escorted into the heart of Studio 54.

What a place! Magnificent! Reeking of excitement. The women outstanding! I had died and gone to Heaven!

Studio 54 had not the best of reputations. Probably the drug issue. However in the end the authorities were not able to close it down because of drugs. They got one of the principals for tax evasion. Shades of Al Capone.

Studio 54 had its closing party the evening of February 4, 1980. It was labeled: “The End of Modern-day Gomorrah.”

Nothing like it has ever returned to New York City.

I have been predicting a food shortage for several months. It is here and is only going to get worse.

Forty percent of Los Angeles has turned to food banks. Food banks being strained in New York, San Diego, Chicago and Houston. Running out of staple goods.

At the same time, farmers are culling pigs, dumping dairy products, and breaking eggs. The food supply chains have been upended. Becoming increasingly impossible to get crops from farms to where ever they go next and then to grocery stores. Markets struggling to stock their shelves.

The strain on the food system a social bomb in the making. Proof the long lines on highways waiting to get to food banks. Many in line there for the first time. Not working, no cash flow.

I hope we do not get to where Greece was the first time I visited. Food scarce. People ate their pets. Then raided the zoos and killed the animals. Then ate anything growing from the earth. Then dug for roots to boil to make soup.

Big Pine is physically the largest of the Keys. Population  only 5,000. Not one case of coronavirus!

Amazing!

Big Pine residents are a bit of a different breed. Skilled at being alone. Worry not about career prospects. Appear emotionally experienced in dealing with problems.

The Monroe County Commission announced the County will not be open to outsiders till June 1. Good for the Commission. The road block preventing non residents from entering will remain in place. Other restrictions will remain also.

The numbers for the County are not bad. A total of 76 caronavirus cases. Only 3 deaths. Fifteen of the cases in Key west.

As the world turns. Yesterday I reported that the County determined the Keys were into a drought. Much sun and next to no rain for several months. A drought restriction was imposed. Lawns could only be watered 2 times a week rather than 3.

This morning it rained big time for 3 hours. Hard! The drought announcement may have come a day or two early.

Yesterday was my 44th day of quarantine. Self-imposed.

Necessity is the mother of invention. The internet has become the site of whatever social life I have. We all have.

Last night was cocktails at 7 again with Cathy in Seattle, Washington. We celebrated her 58th birthday.

Love Skype!

Enjoy your Sunday!

The pain of coronavirus is everywhere. Those afflicted, their families, and the medical staff caring for them. Personal and in one’s face.

An example occurred on Anderson Cooper’s show last night.

A young wife and mother. Married 10 years. Two children. Ages appeared 3 and 2. The husband/father had come down with the virus and was hospitalized. He died.

He left a note to his wife for her and someday the children to read and understand. The mother said that she had a blanket with her husband’s picture a part of it. The children were climbing on the blanket, pointing, and saying Daddy. Sometimes striking the picture with their hands as young ones are prone to do.

Anderson Cooper was the first to cry. He broke up several times. Then the wife. Then me.

It was heart wrenching.

Day 45 of my self-quarantine. Hanging in there. Wish things would get better however so I could get out into the world again. I think I am in the initial stages of cabin fever.

Some things happening in Key West.

Key West is closed to visitors until after May. Then local authorities will do a look see to determine if it is time to open the town up to outsiders. All of Monroe County operating under the same rule.

The County is being safe and not sorry. Smart! It was reported in the Citizen that Monroe County will probably be closed to outsiders till after Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach Counties opened and experienced no problems. Then Monroe County would consider reopening “lodging.”

I mentioned yesterday Key West had a case of Legionnaire’s disease. One. Turns out it is 5.

The one reported yesterday at Poinciana Gardens. The “new 4” really “old.” I do  not recall hearing about them. The 4 oldies were reported 2 months ago at the Paradise Inn on Simonton Street.

Keys weather has been fantastic for several months. Bright sunny days. Very little rain.

The lack of rain has caught up with us. The beginnings of a drought. Officials describe it as a “moderate drought.”

Flowers and greenery beginning to wilt.

Not bad, but enough to impose a drought restriction. Homeowners may only water their lawns 2 days a week. No longer the 3 days previously the rule.

Key West 1896 young lady May Johnson not well. Her sickness keeping her bed ridden. She thought she recovered and went out for 2 days. Dancing one of them. However, not her time yet.

She has suffered for 3 consecutive days. Terrible chills. SICK AGAIN as she describes it. “Suffering agonies.”

The doctor visited. Gave her some pills.

Trump time.

Donald does as Donald wants and gets away with it.

There is something called the emoluments clause in the Constitution. Prohibits a President from certain investments. The issue came up early in Trump’s Presidency. He said he was not going to be bound by the clause.

Trump owned 30 percent of 1290 Avenue of the Americas. The remaining 70 percent was owned by Vornado Realty Trust. The building was refinanced in 2012. The total refinancing package $950 million.

It is assumed Trump still owns the 30 percent interest.

The Bank of China is state owned. The government owns it. The Bank of China took $211 million of the $950 refinancing

The note becomes due in 2022.

Has the obligation influenced or will it influence Trump’s judgment?

Trump has been using the Task Force reports at dinner time each evening in place of the rallies that no longer can be held because of coronavirus. Trump has taken to reading from a prepared text. Sometime deviating and speaking extemporaneously. Followed by questions and answers.

We are looking at roughly 2 hours each evening.

Not last night. Trump took no questions. Immediately walked off the platform following the text material. His total time last night 21 minutes.

The “why” of it all. Trump’s by needle or other type ingestion of a disinfectant into the body or  some form of UV ultra light to cure coronavirus.

The world up in arms. Cannot understand the stupidity of Trump’s suggestion.

Trump took no questions because he well knew they would have had to do with his foolishness from the previous evening.

Trump’s drug of choice to kill Covid-19 has been hydroxychloroquine. He had been pushing it like crazy. The possible “cure.” Why not try it?

It was revealed this past week that it had been used in some hospitals. Where tried, more died than recovered. Obviously the hydro whatever not the “cure” as Trump had promoted it.

Turns out there is another phase to the story.

Admiral Brett Giroir is Assistant Secretary of HHS.He sent out a 4/4 e-mail pushing government officials “to flood New York and New Jersey with treatment courses.”

Someone was not happy. Thought the drug stores should also be “pushed.”

The matter now public.

I would like to know who and why it was “pushed.” Who is responsible? Is anyone in government benefiting financially from the “push?”

Worthy of an inquiry? Especially where people apparently died because of its use.

Saturday night. A date night. I am having cocktails at 7 via Skype with Cathy in Seattle. We are celebrating her birthday.

Enjoy your day!

I just completed reading Dorothy Downs’ most recent novel. Her Soldier of the Queen.

Dot and I have been friends for years. She has written before. About Indians, their art, crafts and activities. Her Soldier of the Queen her first venture into life. Its joys and sorrows.

War time. Two lovers. One married to another. The pain of the romance. The pain of separating from a husband. The pain of a lover’s death.

The story of a woman who never became the woman she was meant to be till she met her lover. The novel’s closing line: “I did know happiness for a brief moment in time.”

I enjoyed reading the book for a number of reasons. The primary that it had the Hemingway touch. Inadvertent, I am sure. Never the less, it was there. Dot wrote certain passages and phrases in Hemingway style.

I recommend Her Soldier and the Queen. The novel will touch you. It is available at Books & Books and through Amazon.com.

Trump is aware he is on a downward trend. 2020 has not been a good year for him. Coronavirus and how he has handled it behind his downfall.

Instead of letting the scientists and doctors rule the roost, Trump gets his nose into the situation every day. For whatever reason, he does not understand that the illness that confronts us must be approached step by step. Total resolution will take time.

Trump seeks the “immediate cure.” One discovered by him, of course.

First it was hydroxcloroquine. The malaria cure that he said would be the the cure all. He knew. He knew because he understood these things, because he had a feeling.

He did not know and his feeling failed him.

Yesterday came the best. Two new and different approaches. Untried. In their infancy stages of examination at best.

One the injection of disinfectant into the body to beat the coronavirus and clean the lungs. The other UV radiation or some sort of light made to enter the body, also.

The disinfectant some thing like Lysol or Clorox. The UV light’s precise source, I am not sure.

Prospective suicides can kill themselves by drinking even a small portion of a disinfectant.

We were told yesterday that the disinfectant bleach approach could kill the virus in 5 minutes. An isopropyl alcohol even quicker.

Trump was aware that the day before, his hydroxcloroquine cure had gone down the drain. A report came out indicating more deaths where the drug was used in comparison to survivals.

He needed a new winner! Immediately! He found it in the disinfectant injection and /or ultra violet light.

The information re the 2 possible “cures” came from a mid level employee in the Department of Homeland Security’s Science and Technology Directorate. Neither scientist nor doctor.

Trump proudly showed him off at the podium. His new find! The man responsible for the 2 possible new cures.

Some physician comments in the news this morning: “Irresponsible and dangerous…..Don’t take medical advice from Trump…..A totally ridiculous concept.”

Timing can be an upsetting factor. Earlier this week and before news of the possible new cure finds, the CDC warned Americans to be careful with cleaning products as cures for the virus. The FDA warned against ingesting disinfectants.

As I was listening to Trump pontificate at the Task Force report session yesterday, Dr. Josef Mengele came to mind. The Nazi SS doctor who experimented with prisoners at Auschwitz. Known as the Angel of Death.

Many were killed via lethal injection in the years Mengele was at Auschwitz.

A fellow by the name of Clifton published a book in 1986 about Mengele. He wrote Mengele was “lacking empathy.”

Trump does not agree with Dr. Fauci’s testing concerns. Understandable. Trump is smart. Knows everything.

Key West like the rest of the world is concerned with coronavirus. Our lives have changed here as elsewhere. Quarantine, businesses closed, etc.

Now comes an old disease to harass us. Legionnaires Disease. One case. A resident of Poinciana Gardens. Residents have been made aware of the problem.

Oil companies are like banks and insurance companies. Whores.

The oil industry is in deep trouble. Saudi Arabia and Russia are paying traders to take their crude oil excesses off their hands. Oil is trading at zero levels.

One would expect gasoline prices at the pump to drop radically. Finally, consumers would get a break.

Not so. At least in the Key West area. Price per gallon has only dropped $.14 in the past 3 weeks.

Enjoy your day!

I love Greece. Its history, culture and people.

I have developed friendships with many Greeks. Two mentioned here. Theodore Markis and Jim Brown. Theodore lives in Loannina on the Greek mainland. Jim on the island of Crete.

Both have kept in touch during the coronavirus pandemic. It has affected Greece as it has the U.S. Both cannot understand the recent protests in U.S. streets to open things up. Not the way the people handled things in Greece.

They are literally shocked that America is behaving as it has.

Time Magazine published an article on its website 4/21. An investigative report. An interesting writing. It gives top grades to Greece for the way it has handled Covid-19.

Theodore brought the article to my attention.

I am paraphrasing its contents. I will not be comparing Greece’s actions to those of the U.S. We know what the U.S. has done. The comparisons will automatically come to mind as you read today’s blog.

Greece has  succeeded in meeting the coronavirus attack. Big time.

Greece’s success is attributed to the way it met the coronavirus onslaught. Head on. They prepared and managed it.

The success is attributed to 2 factors. Sweeping restrictive measures and the country began to impose them before any other European country.

Time lionizes Greek authorities in glowing terms for the country’s spectacular success. Success in limiting the spread of the virus and in keeping the death toll extremely low. One hundred sixteen to date.

The people were asked to suffer in order to win. And suffer they did! The most painful deprivation was the national lock down at Easter time.

Greek tradition has people traveling during Easter time to their ancestral homes to celebrate the holiday. Passengers in well over 100,000 vehicles travel to the various provinces.

Churches were monitored, streets patrolled, drones deployed. The lock down was strictly enforced. The people uncomplainingly did as told.

In the final analysis, it was the government imposed measures and the way the Greek people largely abided by them that made success possible.

Prior to this year, Greece has suffered 10 years of extreme financial difficulty. Everything cut to the bone so Greece could survive economically. Greece has been wrapped in financial austerity.

Medical facilities a place where cuts were imposed. So much so that as coronavirus was imminent, Greece had only 560 ICU beds. In all of Greece! In a country of 11 million persons that equates to 5.2 ICU beds per 100,000 people.

The Orthodox Church of Greece was a problem when the government imposed lock down at Easter time. Clerics insisted no one could contact the virus from Holy Communion because Communion consisted of the “true body and blood” of Christ.

Clerics turned to the media to attack the government’s position. The media did not challenge the Church’s position. It let the Clerics speak and then moved on to another subject. No questions, no exchanges.

The media did express one short comment each time: Scientific facts to the contrary had been presented in previous interviews. There the issue died.

The right mixture of measures to prevent and contain the virus contributed also to Greece’s success.

Late in February, before a single death, carnivals were cancelled. On March 5, schools, cafes, universities, and most businesses were closed.

Note that there were only 31 confirmed cases on March 5. The government anticipated what was to come and took steps before the virus hit full blast.

Compelling early government action were the budget cuts over the years. They necessitated early action to avoid collapse of an already “fragile” public health system. Additional ICU beds were added and hundreds of doctors and nurses hired.

Note again. Only 31 confirmed cases on March 5.

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis an unusual leader. He saw and met the task before him. Time praised him.

On March 22, the Prime Minister announced the lock down. He cited neighboring Italy’s tragic situation to rally the Greek people behind him: “In Italy unfortunately, one person is lost every two minutes. We have to protect the common good, our health.”

On lock down day March 22, Greece had 624 confirmed cases, 15 deaths. By comparison, the United Kingdom announced its own lock down the same day: 6,650 confirmed cases, 335 deaths.

The government conducted an effective public information campaign. It was critical to Greece’s success. The truth. Good, bad or indifferent. No shading.

A daily television broadcast provided the Greek people with up to the moment developments.

Time reported Greece’s success in large measure is attributed to a “massive, effective public information campaign.”

Costly, however. The government thus far has spent a whopping 11 million euros from an already depleted budget.

In the daily TV reports, citizens were warned that the weak health care system meant harsh measures had to be implemented early in order to save lives, even if the economy was hit hard.

Greece has private and public hospitals. The government entered into an agreement with the private hospitals whereby the private hospitals agreed to take on non-coronavirus cases. Thereby freeing up space for Covid-19 patients in public hospitals.

Keep in mind refugees had poured into Greece in big numbers prior to the onset of coronavirus. Most from Africa. The government had placed them in migrant camps. These refugees posed a special challenge.

The migrant camps received unequal care when compared to the Greek populace. They also had a higher risk of infection.

The threat was minimized by 2 factors. Both unusual. First, the low average age of refugees and immigrants. Second, their physical stamina and endurance after making the long and arduous journey to Europe.

There were 5 refugee camps on islands themselves. In one where 40,000 were located, the conditions were squalid. The place a “legal limbo.”

Nineteen thousand were confined at another camp on a different island. Things bad there also. One benefit, however. The camp had 3 doctors.

No virus cases developed on the islands where the vast majority of migrants were kept. However, cases occurred at 2 camps on the Greek mainland. Forty four cases at one and 150 cases at another. All confirmed. No deaths.

Always keep in mind that Greece was broke going into the epidemic. The country had been in financial distress for 10 years. Its economy battered.

Coronavirus is having a dire impact on the economy. Borrowing money has become as much of a challenge as fighting the virus.

The government continues to meet the challenge. Whatever is necessary. Borrow from Peter to pay Paul, fail to pay Paul, etc.

Two areas contribute heavily to Greece’s GDP. Tourism and indirect income. Tourism normally constitutes 11.7 percent. Indirect income, which includes international shipping, 39.9 percent.

The government recognizes the economy must be stimulated so the people can return to work, etc. Borrowing as described a problem. The lock down not helping. No income being produced.

Greece’s high debt to GDP ratio means it may be difficult to continue borrowing if the coronavirus crisis stretches into months or years.

Thus Greece’s story. That of one of the poorest nations in the world. Compare it to the story of the U.S. Considered by most the richest nation.

Greece has accomplished more with less. In addition, a different mindset. The people and government alike.

Enjoy your day!

Ian Welsh is a Canadian blogger. Excellent. Sees things others do not.

I enjoy his writings.

The past few days I have reported re the wealthy corporate and individual conservative class. The extremely rich. How they are behind the protests in the streets, make money from politics, care not about the U.S. except only as an opportunity to add to their wealth, etc.

Some have responded to my writings and spoken word re this group suggesting I’m crazy. Know not that of which I speak.

As it turns out, Welsh agrees with me. I suggest you read his blog of 4/21/20 titled “The Sheer Awe Inspiring American Clusterfuck.”

His blog way too long for me to fully share with you. However, a small portion with a few short excerpts is. His words inspired by coronavirus and its impact on the U.S.

Descriptions like “reinfection…..a complete clusterfuck…..America is broken…..all empires and great nations end – they rot from the inside.”

He writes, “America is a failing state…..awe inspiring to watch. Surreal. Amazing.”

Re the wealthy/the elite, he writes, “The American elite reaction to anything these days is to see it as a looting opportunity. Pump up the stock market, let the peons starve and run out of rent money, shovel money to the rich, and buy up distressed assets. That’s what both DC Republicans and Democrats are doing  and ok with.”

Additionally, “…..the elites are inbred, out of touch with actual production and only capable of playing political games. They get money by manipulating politics, not by genuine production.”

Bettie Page was the first modern day model. The classic. She set the standard for all models who followed her.

The original pin up girl. Racy. Taboo. First known as Queen of Pin-Ups. Then Queen of Bondage. She was Hugh Hefner’s third center fold Playgirl.

Graduated high school with a 97.19 GPA. Second in her class. A college grad.

Bettie spent many years in Key West. Off and on. Found God in Key West. Became a born again Christian. It was 1958. Bettie attended the Key West Temple Baptist Church. She became drawn to the multicultural environment.

Her born again status resulted in her giving up alcohol consumption. Her favorite drink became root beer. She enjoyed her drinking, whatever it may have been at the moment, at Turtle Kraals.

She did missionary work in her later years.

Bettie died this day in 2008.

I think of Larry Smith, Christine Cordone, and Terri White as I share the following with you.

They are musicians. They work “gigs.” Musicians working gigs a huge part of the Florida work force. Represent 20 percent of the work force. They are legally independent contractors. Not however part of the “work force” recognized for purpose of receiving stimulus monies.

Florida is way back in processing stimulus payments under their program at the present time. However, the State is looking at making “gig” workers part of the program so they will receive weekly $600 checks.

Terri White and Larry Baeder are doing a live stream show tonight at 8. From the Greenfield Guitar.

Necessity is the mother of invention. With bars closed, Key West musicians have no where to perform and earn a living. Many have turned to the internet. As Terri and Larry are doing.

Their show tonight being carried nationwide.

If a viewer is so inclined, donations can be sent via Viewer and PayPay.

Keys beaches will remain closed. Local authorities showing more wisdom than Governor De Santis and Jacksonville authorities.

However consideration is being given to opening golf courses and public parks. No decision made as yet.

Coronavirus testing in the Keys has sucked. The population 74,000. Tests performed 952.

“12 Mile Reef” a 1953 movie filmed in Key West. On this day in 1953, the movie crew arrived. Took over the Casa Marina. Including the movie’s stars Terry Moore, Robert Wagner, Gilbert Roland and J. Carroll Nash.

Seventy five locals were used as extras. Tino’s precursors.

Today is the 50th birthday of Earth Day. We are still struggling with the problem.

There is a picture on the internet showing the crowd marching on Earth Day 50 years ago. On Fifth Avenue. A mass of humanity from one side of the street to the other as far as the eyes could see.

I am just getting into Zoom. Sloan set me up Sunday. I have not yet tried to use the site on my own.

Zoom is one of the newest and hottest social network sites. It began as a social life line early in the pandemic. It has taken off!

Zoom has exceeded expectations. Personnel are complaining. Being worked hard. Wearing them down. The site is being used for everything. It has swiftly developed into everyone’s “go to.”

The $2.3 trillion stimulus package provided $349 billion for small business loans. As we all know, the money went swiftly. The banks moved the processing rapidly.

Why not! The banks earned in excess of $10 billion in fees in so doing.

Harvard’s $8.7 million payment from the same stimulus package has raised concerns. How did Harvard get the $8.7 million or any amount? Why a university? If proper, why so much for a university that has one of the richest endowments in the world?

When the news first broke, it sounded like Harvard was getting a piece of the small business portion of the stimulus.

Trump has demanded Harvard pay the money back.

Harvard refuses.

Harvard advises the monies did not come from the small business portion of the stimulus. The Payment Protection Program. Rather, it came from the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund portion of the stimulus package. Properly intended for colleges and universities. The Higher Education portion specifically designated to help colleges and universities mitigate the impact of the coronavirus.

I believe the monies to Harvard never the less inappropriate. Harvard in the position to cover its own losses, whatever they may be. The small business man on the other hand not.

Enjoy your day!

The operative word in the title is “clothed.”

Key West is closed down. Duval dead!

One of Key West’s famous gentleman’s clubs is The Red Garter on Duval. A strip joint with class. There is a large sign in its window: Sorry…..We’re Clothed Until Further Notice.

A delicate touch! A Key West one!

Florida’s Governor De Santis is one of the country’s worst governors in my opinion. A Donald Trump in disguise. He dances to every Trump tune.

De Santis gave local authorities permission to open the beaches. Jacksonville did. People showed up in large numbers. I wonder how many new coronavirus cases there will be in the Jacksonville area in 4-6 weeks.

Key West is in Monroe County. All the Keys are located in Monroe County.

Keys local authorities have decided to play it safe. Keys beaches will remain closed. No open ’em up date has been scheduled.

Keys people are sensitive to the virus. The  Keys suffer enough from hurricanes. Damage from 2017 Irma not yet totally remedied. People still living under tarpaulins. No stoves. No toilet facilities.

The blockade at the entrance to the Keys remains. Non-residents are not permitted to enter the Keys.

Better safe than sorry.

Key West is the southernmost point in the U.S. News travels fast in modern times. There was a time when it was not so.

Abraham Lincoln died on April 15, 1865. It took 6 days for the news of his death to reach Key West.

Governor De Santis announced Florida expects to receive 100,000 test kits for coronavirus antibodies this week.

Seeing is believing!

While Trump was campaigning in 2016, he said he was going to Washington to “drain the swamp.” Didn’t work that way. The swamp is draining Washington and all of the U.S.

I mentioned a couple of days ago that the U.S. was on the verge of becoming a feudalistic society. A significant number of comments. Including cell phone and e-mail.

Some agreed, some not. More not. I thought perhaps I did not express myself clearly enough. Feudalism today was a new concept. I read it nowhere. It was born in my mind.

I now have company!

Paul Craig Roberts is a blog writer. His blog: PCR Institute For Political Economy. His most recent blog: “Are We Becoming A New Feudalism? The Economy Is Being Destroyed.”

His answer: “Yes.”

Our thought processes generally similar, though different in certain respects. I do not totally agree with Roberts nor he I. Though on the significant point we do: The U.S. is becoming a feudalistic society.

Roberts wrote (emphasis mine): “The LARGE BAILED OUT CREDITORS will end up with the property of the NON-BAILED-OUT DEBTORS who are BEING PUSHED DEEPER INTO DEBT with ‘bail-out loans’ and fess and penalties for missed debt payments. WRITE-OFFS FOR THE ONE PERCENT, and MORE INDEBTEDNESS FOR EVERYONE ELSE…..Break up the banks ‘too big to fail’ and return corporations from Asia to the United States a solution.”

Roberts’ final words: Time to dethrone the “elites.”

Oil companies are taking a beating. My heart bleeds for them. How sad.

Not really. As far as I am concerned, oil companies cannot hurt enough.

Oil prices are falling. Described at the moment as being below zero. First time ever.

Greed brought the oil companies to this point. Especially Russia and Saudi Arabia. They pumped and pumped. Money galore pouring in. Till each pumped too much.

The problem a simple one. So much oil has been pumped there is no place to store it. Not even huge tankers where normally excess is stored.

As a result, oil traders are paying other traders to take excess barrels off their hands. As much as $40 a barrel.

The scenario will end soon. The oil companies have seen the light. They are switching off their wells. Cheaper to leave it in the ground.

A second problem is contributing to the zero price situation. People are not buying gasoline for their cars as they once did. Most people world wide are confined to their homes because of coronavirus.

I have no sympathy re the problem of the oil companies for a couple of reasons. Each significant.

I recall when gasoline went to $4 a gallon. Twice in my lifetime. I recall when I had to wait in line for like 2 hours to get to a pump to buy gas. Hoping each time my car moved forward that the gasoline would not run out before I got there.

Finally, I am one of those that consider Saudi Arabia the master mind of 9/11. I forget the specific number. Something like 15 or 17 of those involved were citizens of Saudi Arabia.

Russia. I could also care less. They have been our “enemy” since the end of World War II. They have “hurt” us whenever they could. Especially under Putin.

David Winans is a leading oil figure. He says re the drop to a zero price, “Today’s price move feels like oil is passing a kidney stone.”

Good!

Trump was elected in 2016 because he figured out how to anger certain voters to support him. He is continuing this year to foment the anger of voters. The goal the same. Anger directed at the establishment. This year in the form of a “peaceful” rebellion against governors.

Trump is literally destroying the Presidency to guarantee his reelection.

The historical purpose of the Presidency was to unite the States, not further divide them. Trump’s encouragement against State stay-in-place orders is unpresidential and unbecoming a President.

Trump’s dislike of immigrants evidenced in the recent $2.3 trillion stimulus package. Quietly. Just coming out.

More than one million U.S. citizens are barred from recovering stimulus checks if their spouses are immigrants.

Tuesday again! My blog talk radio show tonight at 9: Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou.

Join me! The show is a quick half hour. Guaranteed not boring. I rant and rave about everything.

Little is happening in our country at the moment, except for Trump and coronavirus.. Therefore most of the show will be about Trump and coronavirus. The 2 most important topics on our plates at the moment. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou.

Enjoy your day!

Harvard University is one of the richest universities in the U.S. It has an endowment of $40.9 billion. Not niggardly by any means.

Harvard received aid under the recent $2.3 trillion stimulus package. $8.7 million. Coronavirus relief.

The $2.3 trillion stimulus package contained $14 billion for colleges and universities.

Harvard’s endowment is not the only part of Harvard’s high side. The end of its 2019 fiscal year found Harvard with an operating surplus of $298 million.

I do not understand why Harvard needed an $8.7 million stimulus or any stimulus at all.

Washington had its head on backwards with this one. Similar to its screw up with stimulus dollars for small businesses. Few truly small businessmen will receive the dollars. Another stimulus package is required to help them.

Education Secretary Betsy De Vos is not one of my favorite people.  However on this Harvard thing she had her head screwed on right. De Vos expressed concern with the Harvard stimulus. She said, “Sending millions to schools with significant endowments is a poor use of taxpayer money.”

Harvard has not announced whether it will accept the $8.7 million.

Think for a moment. What do the protesters in the streets clamoring to reopen America really want? Their desire one they have not considered. They are protesting for the right to catch coronavirus.

They crowd the streets carrying automatic rifles, waving American flags, waving Confederate flags, and signs with swastikas on them. They chant lock up female Governors and fire top infectious disease experts. In one instance, blocked an ambulance en route to a nearby hospital.

Who are these people?

Obviously some have been incited to violence with Trump’s encouragement to “liberate” their States.

Grassroot groups. Many small business owners. A “proud people” who have “cabin fever” and “want their lives back.”

Conservative activists on the streets. Financed by wealthy conservative groups. Being used to bring down the America we love and replace its control with a money society whose sole goal is to make more money.

Trump is not part of that money group. He is not smart enough for them. He is their puppet. Available for their use and one who appeals with his bravado to those protesting.

A sensitive question arises: Who does “tomorrow” belong to? Trump and his followers? Affluent conservative donors? Liberals?

Hard to answer. Liberals the weakest group. After the next election, perhaps not. Trump will go at some point. Superseded by another demagogue. His followers will remain.

At the moment, the affluent conservative donors look like the winners.

Our country is in a war. Not the coronavirus one. The war for the soul of America.

Scary.

We will defeat coronarirus. Make take another year or two. America will overcome.

Regardless of who is in power, America’s next significant problem will be the economy. The vast endless sums of money the U.S. is printing to defeat the virus. The dollar becomes worth less and less.

A time will come when we will find that a house built on sand cannot stand.

Enjoy your day!

My blogs the past several days have been on the heavy side. Necessarily so. We live in trying times.

Today a change of pace. I need it and probably you do also. An attempt at levity. Some lighter observations.

Today is day 39 of my self quarantine. Merely coincidental that this is Morning Stew #39. No significance that they fall on the same day.

I was working at the blog at 6:30 this morning when the power went out. Did not make sense. Not the hurricane season, no winds. No construction, it’s Sunday. Must have been an errant boat running into a power pole in the water.

I waited 15 minutes. Power did not return. Figured it would take a while. Decided to leave the house for the first time in 39 days. To take a walk. I have not exercised one bit in 39 days. In itself not healthy.

The sun was coming up. I walked around the block. Took me 10 minutes. Frankly, I was tired when I finished.

It was humid. The fresh air tasted good.

About an hour after I returned home, the power came on.

Sloan and I were scheduled to work at 9. She has complete access to my computer. We can work it together. It’s easier for me to learn.

I think I now have skype down. We’ll see. I signed up for Vemo and Zoom. Will take me a while to get them down pat.

I awoke early this morning. Around 4:30. Watched an English comedian on TV. For want of a better description, a coronavirus comedian. All his jokes concerned the virus.

Absolutely funny! It was good to hear a cheery side to the problem and laugh about it.

I decided therefore to begin today’s blog with coronavirus jokes. I came up with a few. Some funny. Some not so much. However the not so funny makes one think.

A joke circulating Europe: What borders on stupidity? Mexico and Canada.

Once they come out with a coronavirus vaccine, I don’t want to see any of you antivaxxers getting one. Don’t be a hypocrite.

I recall a major power outage in the northeast in the late 1960’s.  In the middle of the winter no less. Lasted almost 2 days.  The night it occurred everyone went to bed early. Nine months later it was reported that births had surged as a result of that evening 9 months earlier.

There is a similar “joke” tied to the virus: There will be a minor baby boom in 9 months, and then one day in 2033, we shall witness the rise of the “Quaranteens.”

South Korea was hit the third worst with Covid-19 and they still have toilet paper. Never ran out. The moral of the story is some people are idiots.

Day 2 without sports: Found a young lady sitting on my couch yesterday. She seems nice.

Jehovah’s Witnesses are thrilled everyone’s going to be home.

Your Covid-19 test came back positive. Can’t be. I still have more than 300 rolls of toilet paper.

I washed my hands due to coronavirus so much that my exam notes from 1995 resurfaced.

Know who is really behind coronavirus? Charmin!

I survived the great toilet paper crisis of 2020.

How do I explain to my grandchild how a guy eating a bat soup in China led to a toilet paper shortage in the U.S.

Funny?

Best I could do.

Came across an article this morning titled Florida Moron. Referred to Governor De Santis who gave the go ahead to local governments to decide if the beaches should be opened.

De Santis is Trump’s lap dog. Does everything Trump says. Trump has rewarded him with everything the Governor has requested for Florida and more.

Jacksonville Beach was opened. Crowds of people. Ironically on the same day that 50 died from the virus in Florida. The highest number on any given date.

De Santis justifies his decision based on essentiality. He declared beaches essential. He said, beaches are “essential so that Floridians get exercise outdoors.”

I have a dear friend on the Greek island of Crete. We have never met. We have known each other through this blog for many years.

Jim Brown is around 40. A musician/singer/composer by profession. He would fit right in were he to move to Key West.

I received an e-mail from Jim this morning. He had read about the Jacksonville Beach being opened: “Wow…..I have no words my friend…..Here in Greece all cars are banned from the road and gatherings and its Easter weekend here. Massive fines to those caught…..Its hard but its for the greater good…..We’ve done well here to help reduce the risk…..I just pray the world does the same then maybe we can have some sort of normal life back again…..Keep safe. Be well and keep the blogs coming.”

Some people understand. They have not been raised believing they are entitled to everything they want.

The President and many people think the crisis is disappearing. Merely because it has leveled. It is not yet on a down slide. Thousands still dying every day.

Should the demonstrators win, as I suspect they will, I wonder what their position will be 4-6 weeks from now when the numbers begin to rise again.

Love Donald’s 5 o’clock Task Force briefings! A joke! And oh, how the man lies!

I noticed at one of the briefings that the President’s hair was no longer blond/yellow. It was white/silverish. He had dyed his hair!

Lasted only one day. The next evening it was tan and thus far has remained so. No more glowing gold.

Michael Cohen in yesterday’s Boston Globe described Trump as “the incredible shrinking President.”

There was another headline yesterday that read Trump appeared increasingly irrelevant.

One thing the virus has accomplished is to bring to light those governors that are MEN. No bullshit types. Understand their responsibilities. Do what has to be done in their opinion to protect the citizens of their State.

Two immediately come to mind. New York’s Cuomo and Illinois’ Pritzker. We all know Cuomo. A popular figure. Gets things done.

Pritzker new to the scene.

He “secretly” purchased medical supplies from China. Chartered 2 planes and flying the supplies over. One plane load already arrived. The other due this week.

Pritzker a for real billionaire. The cost to just fly the medical supplies to the U.S. $1.7 million.

Pritzker said he kept what he was doing quiet for fear Trump would seize the medical cargo for the “federal stockpile.” He is unhappy the word is out since one plane has yet to arrive.

Pritzker said, “We had to search the entire globe to find what we need. Shipping is very difficult.” He told CNN he had “given up” on receiving help from Trump.

I finish on a sorry note.

It has been announced Neiman Marcus may be filing for bankruptcy this week.  Not sure whether a Chapter 11 or an outright bankruptcy.

A store of stores. The best quality goods. Symbolized by their highest prices.

I visited the Neiman Marcus in Miami and the one in Scottsdale many times. Only to look. That expensive! Would never spend that kind of money for anything!

Apparently there used to be some who did. Those people no longer exist in sufficient numbers.

Enjoy your Sunday!

Today’s blog an addendum to yesterday’s. The story was of Michigan and the Lansing protest. Today’s an expansion. One ultimately leading to the U. S. on the verge of a return to feudalism.

I kid you not.

Trump spoke out for liberation yesterday. Liberate Michigan, Minnesota and Virginia. A cry to the Governors of these States to let their people go. Permit them to return to their normal way of life. Throw off the shackles of restrictions imposed because of coronavirus.

Trump fomenting, encouraging insurrection. Calling out to the people of certain States to disobey their Governors. By speaking out as he did, Trump was in effect encouraging violence and bloodshed. Creating an atmosphere where the President might call ICE and the special Border Patrol troops into those States to calm things down.

Don’t think it cannot happen!

Once in, how long would it take them to leave?

Who are the people behind the move to remove stay at home orders, etc. Trump alone? The Republican Party? The people?

None of the above.

Behind and supporting the protesters are prominent conservatives and donors.

Today’s protests reminiscent of the early days of the Tea Party movement. A time when angry activists stormed town hall meetings of Democrat members of Congress who were speaking in support of Obama’s health care overhaul.

The demonstrators were impassioned. Behind them in the shadows were prominent conservatives and donors. Same as today.

How the game is being played.

I mentioned yesterday the influence of Betsy DeVos and the Michigan Conservative Coalition. Considered to have been a part of those supporting the Lansing protest.

A close associate of Betsy DeVos is Greg McNeilly. He was behind the Michigan protest also. His group the Michigan Freedom Fund.

Note that McNeilly denies any involvement by DeVoss and her family.

Whether the DeVos or McNeilly group, or one of the others, all have long funded conservative causes in Michigan and are open about the involvement of outside donors.

A Trump supporter and economic commentator is Stephen Moore. He was/is planning some sort of a Wisconsin protest to remove restrictions. A drive-in protest.

Speaking on the YouTube program Freedom on Tap, Moore said he had one big donor who had promised to pay the bail and legal fees of anyone who was arrested.

Moore said, “This is a great time for civil disobedience…..We need to be the Rosa Parks here, and protest against these government injustices.”

Moore a close ally of Trump. Evidenced by Moore’s serving on a coronavirus economic advisory group. He has also been helpful in the start up of another group urging a faster reopening of the economy: Save Our Country.

Moore was seriously considered last year by Trump for a seat on the Federal Reserve Board. However certain of his past comments drew criticism and killed any appointment. One of his prior comments: Women should not earn more than men.

Moore knows and has access to many substantial donors. He says one particular donor  was “so upset about what is happening with the abridgment of freedom.” Abridgment being the coronavirus restrictions.

The United States is developing into the feudal system of old. The wealthy and the poor. The wealthy consider themselves aristocrats in today’s society. They are also anarchists, though probably do not consider themselves such.

They back Trump. Trump sold his soul to the company store 100 percent when he joined up with these guys.

Nationalism has been sold as “a war for the little guy.” When in effect it serves the interests of the elite.

It has been said repeatedly and historically that politics makes for strange bedfellows. In this case, the marriage of the ultra rich and ultra nationals.

Nationals are a part of America’s working class. They are unaware they are being used.

They have mutual purposes. One is weaken or dismantle international alliances that constrain them. Think of how many international treaties Trump has abrogated.

The nationals want to take back control of their country. The rich want to eliminate controls that international organizations and alliances have imposed on them individually and as a class. With one purpose in mind. To get richer by obtaining a bigger share of world governments and resources.

The poor/nationals fight the political battles. The rich fund the battles. The poor/nationals get a high off helping to serve their country. The rich silently gain more power so as to place them in a position where the institution they resent which limits or holds them accountable to obey the law are eroded.

The goal of the rich is to free themselves from the constraints of democracy. Many consider themselves above the law. They believe that any legal limitations placed on them are “de facto illegitimate.”

I read recently: “Who do you think is more powerful: “Proctor & Gamble or the government of France? P & G, of course.”

There is a new hierarchy in the United States. One not yet understood by the U.S. and its working class. One which applies to their country and them: Subordinate.

A suitable quote by the hsitorian G.K. Chesterton is applicable. One he wrote more than one hundred years ago: “The poor have sometimes objected to being governed badly; the rich have always objected to being governed at all. Aristocrats were always anarchists.”

The rich lie. Anything to achieve their aims, satisfy their desires. Recall Trump in the 2016 campaign and the promises he made. Recall further who benefited from those promises. An example how Trump the huckster fooled the people.

It will be a middle class tax cut…..Wealthy people – like Trump – will not benefit from the tax cuts…..Working families will quickly get a $4,000 to $9,000 raise…..Small businesses will receive a big tax cut…..The economy will grow 4, 5 or 6 percent…..Tax cuts will pay for themselves.

The American society is returning to that which existed in Europe in the Middle Ages. The king, his barons and dukes, all had their own fiefdoms. They were the wealthy. Everything went their way.

The prominent conservatives and wealthy donors are becoming or have already become that hierarchy today.

The serfs in the fields working hard to support their master up on the hill and where necessary fight and die in his wars are represented by the working people of today. The nationals willing to do their all for their country, even to death. Whereas, their masters too smart to go that far. If danger of any sort were to arise, they would hop on their private jets and yachts and run off to some far away safe place. Their monies waiting for them in some foreign off shore tax free bank account.

Enjoy your day!