If this does not piss you off, nothing will!

In March, Covid-19 supplies were in very short supply. A $1 billion fund under the Defense Production Act was established to help the nation “prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus.”

Recall we were desperately short of supplies back then. Tests kits and mask shortages extreme.

To this day, we still do not have enough test kits or masks. Though Trump often reminds us there is no problem, he has millions of each.

Where? Only in his imagination I suspect.

What actually happened is the money went to the Pentagon to distribute per Congress’ instructions for Covid-19 relief. Instead, the Pentagon used hundreds of millions of dollars to support private defense contractors.

Common Sense on September 23 reported: “If you can’t get a Covid test or find an N95 mask, it’s because these contractors stole from the American people to make faster jets and fancy uniforms.”

No one knew except those spending the money and those receiving it.

Examples of where the Pentagon spent the money interesting. Car maker Rolls-Royce received $183 million for drone and space surveillance technology. Eighty million went to Kaiser for their aircraft parts business. A subsidiary of Rolls-Royce received $22 million for an upgrade to its Mississippi plant.

The Pentagon received the responsibility to parcel the money as Congress had directed because the funds were received via the Defense Production Act.

This is the same Pentagon that cannot account for trillions of dollars spent the past several years. Not even an Ernst and Young audit could discover where the money went.

I have said it many times before. Someone or some have a hand in the pot. A lot of “grease” money has to have changed hands.

Trump in response to a reporter’s question yesterday refused to commit to a peaceful transition of power after Election Day. Claims the ballots may be screwed up.

If Trump is not out of the White House on January 20, it will only be a short time before angered American citizens will storm the White House to remove him. A significant number of citizens will not stand for it.

The next step, an outright civil war.

Would you believe!

Trump tells us the economy is getting better. If so, why did demand for unemployment benefits increase last week by 870,000?

The Supreme Court presently in the news and will continue to be so through January 20.

A bit of Supreme Court history.

On this day in 1789, George Washington signed a law establishing the Supreme Court of the U.S. Staffed at that time by six justices who would serve till death or retired.

All six were confirmed by the Senate.  In only 2 days.

The number of justices is now 9. Congress can change that number at any time. The Constitution does not prohibit such action.

I reported a few days ago that a shark attacked a 30 year old man near Sombrero Lighthouse off Marathon.

One of his shoulders was torn badly. The doctors report they hope the arm can be saved.

The man’s pregnant wife was on the boat nearby. She jumped in the water and pulled her husband into the boat.

My alma mater Syracuse University announced it has cancelled Spring Break 2021. The purpose to minimize travel and the anticipated closeness of those enjoying Spring Break. Also, to avoid quarantine complications.

The students will remain in school that week. To make up for the week, second semester in January will begin one week later.

The move not uncommon. Other schools such as Ohio State and Kansas State have already announced similar action.

Cow Key Bridge is scheduled to open today or tomorrow. My compliments to the contractor. A job well done. Consideration always given drivers and traffic moving swiftly.

Enjoy your day!

Noted New York Times columnist Frank Bruni in an Opinion piece published yesterday detailed how a “minority” actually rules the U.S. The article reflects how the Republicans have been doing more with less.

The article’s title: “The Special Hell of Trump’s Supreme Court Appointment.” Subtitle: “With a non existent mandate, it does exemplary damage.” Referring of course to the Republican Party.

Begin with Trump. He won with almost 3 million votes less than Hillary Clinton. A minority President.

The Republican Party overall is significantly smaller in membership than the Democrats. Ergo, the Senate represents a minority party.

Trump and the Senate combine to protect the nation from the tyranny of the majority.

Bruni wrote, “We’re a country where the minority rules, and under Trump, it rules tyrannically.” Senate Republicans representing the smaller Republican Party must command the support of power in order to accomplish what they do. They have that power and freely exercise it, even to the detriment of the nation.

The Republican Party is down to white evangelicals. It continues to decline in membership. This campaign may very well be its last hurrah.

The annual UN Assembly Meeting is being held this week. Yesterday, Trump appeared virtually. Perhaps because his appearance was virtual, the media has reported little of what he said.

The thrust of his address was China. He knocked China big time. Blamed China for coronavirus. Tensions between the U.S. and China flared even more as a result of his words.

Those appointed to the Supreme Court occasionally acquire a new political philosophy. In modern America, two conservative Republicans became liberal Justices.

Earl Warren was respected as a Republican conservative. He had been governor of California. Unsuccessfully ran for Vice-President on the Dewey ticket in 1948 which lost in the unexpected Truman sweep. He ran early on in the 1952 Republican primary for President.  The race Eisenhower won.

Eisenhower appointed the conservative Earl Warren to be Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.

Eisenhower repeatedly said over the years that the worst mistake he made as President was appointing Warren. He turned liberal while on Bench.

Warren gave us Brown v. Board of Education. Desegregated schools as a matter of law. The decision not well received by the conservative Republican block.

David Souter was nominated by the first President Bush.

Souter was from New Hampshire. Had served as Judge there. An evident conservative based on his decisions as well as his activities prior to becoming a judge.

Souter sat on the Supreme Court 19 years. His political philosophy changed almost immediately. He became part of the liberal block on the Court and consistently voted with the liberal Justices.

You never know! Though I doubt whoever Trump appoints will change her colors once a member of the Supreme Court.

Some coronavirus observations.

Canada is the U.S.’s neighbor. Immediately to the north of the U.S. People the same in just about every respect as their neighbors to the south.

The U.S. recently passed 200,00 deaths. Canada has had no deaths in the past 6 months. One thousand Americans die each day from the virus. As indicated, Canada has had no deaths in 6 months.

The U.S. has 40,000 new cases each day. Canada, 500.

Why?

The Canadian governmental leaders when the virus first struck and they knew what they were facing, went to the people and laid the facts out. Straight. No bullshit, no lies. Told the people of Canada they were relying on the advice of medical and scientific experts as to how to handle the problem.

Canada went all in for masks, social distancing and washing hands. The people did not complain about loss of freedoms, their businesses hurting, etc. They accepted their responsibilities in defeating coronavirus.

As with other successful nations world wide, it worked. Therein lies the reason why Canada is clean today as opposed to the U.S.

Two nights ago while speaking at one of his rallies, Trump mentioned in passing that children do not acquire the virus, sometimes some do. Suggesting in effect coronavirus was no big deal with kids.

I thought his brief comments re children strange. He went out of his way to state them, I thought.

The next day the actual facts surfaced.

Five hundred thousand coronavirus cases involving children. And the point most significant especially in view of Trump’s comment the previous evening, assuming a successful vaccine was discovered before or soon after the election, there would not be a sufficient supply to inoculate everyone. Children would begin getting the vaccine next fall. At the bottom of the totem poll.

Sneaky Donald! Set the American public up for the news that kids would not be eligible for the vaccine for one year.

It was reported yesterday that coronavirus cases have surged in Monroe County and its cities. Keys governments were taking steps to attack the reasons for the surge.

What plans, the increase attributable to Key West, etc. were not available.

I am not surprised. Considering Key West alone, governmental leaders capitulated to the demands of the business community. This past week alone, mask wearing was reduced. Bar rules lightened. Then there was Labor Day weekend. The surge should have been anticipated and because of it mask and bar rules left alone. The Good Book says: As ye sow, so shall ye reap. Key West and the County are reaping the wild wind.

I had a doctor visit yesterday. Afterwards, I thought I would give myself a treat. Figure I am entitled to one after more than 200 days in self quarantine. I decided on a Philly Cheese Steak sandwich from Mr. Z’s to take home and enjoy.

Since I was in the area, I went to the one in the Winn-Dixie Shopping Center. It was after 12 noon. Mr. Z’s opens at 11 am daily.

Mr. Z’s was closed. Though disappointed, I understood. The town is dead. There is no business of any consequence.

I compensated. Stopped at the Dion’s on U.S. 1 on the way home. Dion’s chicken for lunch!

I continue receiving questions why I do not write more about Key West. The answer simple. Nothing is happening in Key West. The town is dead. Ergo, nothing of interest to report. Added to the fact I do not go out. If I am not out and about evenings, I see nothing to report.

So there is no understanding, the primary problem is Key West is and has been dead for a few months. If there were tourists and things were booming, I would hear and read about it. Nothing.

My blog talk radio show Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou went well last night. I enjoyed doing it. The show as with my blogs primarily covers politics. What else is there to write and talk about?

Enjoy your day!

The individual who is one of he dirtiest men in the world has once again attacked a person to be revered and respected. Trump has attacked in effect the good name of Ginsburg before she is not even in the ground.

Justice Ginsburg dictated a comment to her lawyer granddaughter a few days before she died re the naming of a person to replace her on the Supreme Court: “My most fervent wish is that I will not be replaced until a new President is installed.”

Trump claims the words not Justice Ginsburg’s. Rather words Democratic politicians have made up.

Is nothing left that is sacred and untouchable by Trump? Life consists of more than money and lying.

The TikTok deal a perfect example of Trump’s warped thinking.

The Chinese company who owns TikTok wants to sell 20 percent of its business to Oracle and Walmart. The two will be TikTok’s American operation. Eighty percent will remain in Japan and wherever else the Chinese company operates.

Trump has insisted from day 1 that the U.S. should somehow benefit from the deal. The U.S. government’s approval to the deal a necessary item before the deal can be concluded.

Such in my opinion is illegal on its face.

Trump decided he wanted $5 billion set aside in a U.S. fund to educate the American people as to the true history of our country. Recall, Trump’s most recent genius point is he wants to “rewrite history” so it coincides with what he believes history to have been.

Looks illegal to me on its face, also.

If I recall correctly, yesterday I heard on the news that Trump has also demanded that the U.S. 20 percent of the company operate the whole 100 percent of the Chinese company.

He insults the Chinese company and the American people with the absurdity of the request.

It seems that Trump is in a hurry to get a new Justice of his choosing on the Supreme Court. Trump is anxious to put a person on the Court who will keep him in the Presidency following the election. He needs a favorable court to accept the “rigged election” and “phony ballots” arguments he keeps making.

The U.S. debt rose 59 percent in the second quarter of this year. The CARES Act first big stimulus package the reason.

The indebtedness justified. People needed to eat. The government finds it easy to provide the stimulus dollars . It prints more money.

It will take 50 years or longer to reduce the debt to zero.

It had to be done.

Are you aware close to 9 million people did not receive their $1,200 stimulus checks? The government is supposedly in the process of identifying them and making payment.

The $1,200 represented “survival” to probably 99 percent who did not receive it. How could the government screw up? Why is it taking so long to remedy the situation?

Although California is a leader in confirmed coronavirus cases, the City of San Francisco itself is not what could be expected based on the State’s number. San Francisco has experienced 10,000 confirmed cases and only 99 deaths.

One reason is San Francisco’s Mayor is one tough lady.

She recently announced some new rules. Religious services outside  limited to 50 persons and inside 25. Catholics disagreed. They marched in protest sunday. Leading them was San Francisco’s Archbishop Salvatore Joseph Cordileone. His last name correct.

The Archbishop said the rule affecting churches “mocks God.” Considered the rules draconian and were being used to close churches. Also labeled the rules “unrealistic and suffocating.”

I am amazed each time I read about a for real “leader” protesting coronavirus rules. They have been initiated to protect the community as a whole and not one church or religion. Only temporary, they will be gone in a relatively short period.

The DOW dropped yesterday 500 plus points. Was down 800 points mid day. The loss continues the down market which is now going into its fourth week.

Market experts say the drop is the result of continued instability. Coronavirus continues to be the greatest fear. The market is further concerned about Justice Ginsburg’s replacement.

A jittery market is not good. Nor is four weeks of a down market good. Things are bad enough. The last thing the U.S. needs now is a market crash.

Banks are whores!

Always have been. Never will change. Even Jesus found them repugnant. Recall he threw them out of the temple where they were money changing, etc.

Never forget that 2008 occurred because of the banks screwing around with mortgages. Not one bank official paid. Millions however lost their homes in the foreclosures that followed.

The most recent wrong action by a bank(s) involves money laundering. Criminally linked transactions.

Named at the moment as being investigated are Deutsche, JP Morgan Chase, and HSBC. Giants in the banking world.

It is claimed the banks moved huge sums of money for criminals around the world. To the tune of some $2 trillion. The banks were handling monies for drug dealers, terrorists, and human trafficking.

Amazing how purportedly some of the most upstanding members in a community have dirty hands.

Today is National Registration Day. Register if you have not. Encourage your friends to register also if they have failed to do so. Keep in mind that this year’s elections are perhaps the most important in U.S. history. Our country itself is at stake.

Enjoy your day!

A shark and me.

A 30 year old Georgia man was attacked by a shark off Marathon sunday morning. Near Sombrero Key Light. His name Andrew Charles Eddy.

The shark 8-10 feet long. Bit Eddy’s shoulder. He had to be airlifted to Miami. The bite described as serious.

Eddy was attacked as he was entering the water.

Reminded me of my one and only shark incident. May there never  be another.

It was 25 years ago. In the waters in front of the Casa Marina Hotel.

It was about 3:30 in the afternoon. No one ever told me the “big ones” come up around 4.

The beach at the Casa Marina is strewn with large rocks. Swimming impossible off the beach itself. The hotel had constructed a 300 foot dock running perpendicular to the beach out into the water. You walked to the end of the dock where there were stairs into the water.

Another 300 feet out in the ocean, the hotel had erected a tall structure. Wood. About 15 feet tall. The foundation had to be concrete buried many feet into the stand.

Its construction square. A ladder to climb up and down. Dimensions on top 15 x 15 feet.

I swam out. First time. The view spectacular. Better than from the beach itself. The railing was about 5 inches wide. I sat on it and starred out into the open water for well over an hour. Sort of meditative time.

I walked over to the ladder to leave. Something caught my eye. Big! It was a shark. I was later to learn a sand shark. Fifteen feet in length. I appreciate water magnifies things. Wide. Tan in color.

The shark was swimming around the structure I was on. I assumed the fish would swim away. Did not. An hour later, I was still waiting for the shark to swim away into the deep ocean.

Good luck! Like he knew there was a meal waiting for him top side.

I looked to the Casa beach intending to shout for someone in a boat to come for me. Good luck again! No one on the beach. Everyone had left.

Now I was concerned. The shark kept swimming around. Never deviating from its course.

I was scared! No way was I going into the water. I saw myself spending the night out there.

Suddenly, my friend made a sharp left and swam away.

I remained about 5 minutes. The shark did not return.

I was down the ladder in no time and swam like crazy the 300 feet to the dock. Never swam that fast before or since.

That evening I was at the bar in Square One with several male friends. A conch and snowbird mixture. Told my story and how scared I was. They all laughed.

They explained that based on how I had described the shark to them, it was a sand shark. They told me the teeth of a sand shark are way back in its mouth. The worse it would have done was mouth an arm or leg and then let it go.

I told them if such had occurred I would have had a heart attack!

Before writing this story today, I did a bit of research on sand sharks.

They are found in temperate tropic waters. Also known as a sand tiger shark. All sizes. Mine looked like a whale to me.

Also read sand sharks are docile. Only attack humans when bothered first.

The teeth description was different from what my friends had described. What I read this morning was sand sharks have a mouthful of irregular teeth facing every which way.

So much about the shark and me.

My research however brought a couple of interesting things to my attention. Relatively unimportant. Useless actually. However, interesting.

Sharks fart. The shark gulps air from the water surface. The air runs through the shark’s body and comes out from the shark’s cloacas. I assume cloacas is the shark’s ass.

Learned something else. More useless information. Spiders fart.

The Trump nominee to the Supreme Court is a given to be seated relatively soon. As much as the Democrats feel the need to make a battle of it, it is one they cannot win.

The Democrats may lose the immediate battle, but they can win the war.

It will take a Democratic President and a Democratic Senate. So vote for the Democrats this year. God will not punish you.

Come the new session, Congress can pass the necessary legislation and the President will sign it into law. Purpose: To expand the number of Justices. The Constitution makes no mention and so it should pass Constitutional muster.

The Supreme Court can then be expanded. What number? Thirteen or fifteen will do.

The Republicans deserve it. The American people deserve it. A fitting retribution.

The court system is antiquated. It is overburdened. Moves way too slow.

One of the first things learned in law school is justice delayed is justice denied. Look how long it takes for a final court resolution. Easily 1-3 years. Sometimes longer.

Cannot be permitted to continue.

I was thinking. When people think of our government, what do they envision? What do they see?

The face of our government is Trump and McDonnell.

Nothing to be proud of.

Sadly, coronavirus deaths in the U.S. passed 200,00o yesterday. Some are predicting 400,000 plus by January.

God protect us! Trump is not!

Globally, the number of deaths is reaching 1 million.

The U.S. position one of shame and disgust. I cannot understand how Trump and his son in law Jared can say Trump has been successful in fighting the pandemic.

Note that the U.S. has 4 percent of the world’s population. It has 20 percent of the world’s coronavirus deaths.

Does not make sense.

Thump’s recent comments re a vaccine in sequence were first months, by the end of the year, by election or soon thereafter. This past weekend, in days.

Enjoy your day!

The Senate is going to be a sight to behold. The Republicans will win the battle over Justice Ginsburg’s replacement. They will smile over their glorious victory.

I recommend they smile as long as they can. Their victory will also be Custer’s Last Stand for them. I am assuming the Democrats will flip the Senate in November. They will then be the party in power and if they remain so, it will be a long time before a Republican conservative makes it to the high Court.

Trump wants to rewrite history. Disgusting! Repulsive! Truth is truth. Good, bad or indifferent. It must never be doctored or rewritten.

Trump signed an Executive Order on September 17 establishing the “1776 Commission.” Its purpose will be to “promote patriotic education.”

Trump claims such action is needed because “the left has warped, distorted, and defiled the American story.”

So wrong. History is history. Whether we agree with it or not. It is as things happened.

What Trump wants to do is marry ignorance and bigotry. Thereby rewriting history to tell the American story as he believes it, at the same time taking a good whack at the blacks protesting against him.

Actually, his game plan is to solidify and satisfy his white American base.

Trump preaches we have lost being the “most exceptional nation” in the world. I agree. The result of 4 years of Trump’s Presidency.

Rewritten history is a myth. Eventually, it becomes fact.

Redoing history is the result of a sick mind.

Key West’s Catholic Church is St. Mary Star of the Sea on Truman. A lovely edifice. Not big, not small. Just right as the saying goes.

St. Mary’s has the feeling of a tropical church.

St. Mary’s was not always on Truman. Originally, on Duval. The Duval site was destroyed by fire on 9/20/1901.

The Church was totally destroyed. Key West ran out of water. The water main for fighting fires was under repair causing a lack of water.

I read somewhere this morning that a visitor to Key West this past week found it to be a ghost town. No dancing, no crowds, no cruise ships. The bars mostly empty, save for the cardboard customers who were there to enforce social distancing.

Something the visitor forgot to mention. No masks! Less than half of the visitors bother to wear them.

Enjoy your Sunday!

Every now and then, a special person arrives. In this case, a woman who left her mark on her country.

Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court.

Justice Ginsburg died yesterday. She was 87.

The Justice will best be recalled for her decisions regarding gender rights. The rights of women.

An area close to her heart. One she knew only too well from her own experiences. The Justice was a woman and a Jew which made beginnings jn the legal profession difficult. She understood discrimination.

Unfortunately, her passing also leaves a hard political situation. It provides Trump with the opportunity to nominate another conservative Republican to the Bench. The result of which will be 6 Republican conservatives sitting on the nine person Court.

Let me say this simply and to the point. It will take at least a generation for the balance to equal out or the Democrats have a one vote plurality.

Every significant case which provided protection to certain persons will be reversed. Absolutely. For real. Roe v. Wade will be down the tubes. Abortions will return to a coat hanger and a back room. Forget same sex marriage. Obamacare gone! What’s left of it, that is. Even Brown v. Board of Education which opened our public schools to students of color.

Trump now has a “terrible” opportunity to accomplish it all.

If he can get it done before the election or before he might have to leave office, he will be elevated to a tall pedestal in the eyes of many conservatives. They might even erect a statue as tall as Thomas Jefferson’s in his honor.

The Republican politicians are whores. Only 46 days to the election. They will refuse to leave well enough alone till after the election. I cannot envision Trump or McConnell missing this opportunity.

There is a reason for everything. God gave us Justice Ginsburg. Why he didn’t leave her with us till after January 20th only He knows.

As is said, out of every thing bad something good comes.
I hope so!

Donald, our Donald: “He pledges allegiance to the flag of the red states of America, and to the Republicans who who stand for him, his nation, totally divided, above God, with liberty and justice for some.”

To really understand the diabolical nature of politicians, one only has to read certain Niccolo Machiavelli’s writings: “Politics have no relation to morals.”

It was test time for me again yesterday. It was about 12:30 when I was done. I decided to drive to Duval and see what was going on.

Some tourists. Less than 10 percent who would usually be walking at that time during this time of the year. Only half wearing masks.

When I rose this morning, the U.S. was 122 deaths short of 200,000 coronavirus deaths. Two hundred thousand will be reached and passed today.

Nothing to be proud of. I blame Trump and my fellow citizens who refused and continue to refuse to follow the simple guidelines of wearing a mask, social distancing, and washing their hands often.

I have piles of notes for the books I wanted to write and never got to. Even began writing some.

One involved a man older than me. I met him 15 years ago in Key West where he was then living. He has since died.

I fail to divulge his name because he has family who might not want this story told.

I was reading an article concerning German occupied France during World War II. A portion of my friend’s story brought him to mind.

He was 15. He had just joined the French underground. He had to “make his bones.” His job was to slice the throats of 2 German officers who were scheduled to be in a whore house at a particular time.

He had never sliced anyone’s throat before.

He did it!

He told me when first I met him, once you cut anyone’s throat, you can do anything.

Someday perhaps I will get to write his whole story showing how he got to the U.S. and became friend to the rich and powerful.

Syracuse is at Pitt today. Interestingly, Syracuse is a 21.5 point favorite.

Did not make sense initially. Let me explain.

Syracuse lost to North Carolina 31-6 last week. The game was close at the end of 3 quarters. Score going into the last quarter 10-6. North Carolina scored 21 points in the last quarter.

Pitt by the way is already ranked #25. They played some small school I never heard of. Pitt won 55-0.

Pitt should be favored today. Not so. The odds makers say Pitt played a non-entity. Syracuse on the other hand played well till the last quarter.

Hopefully Syracuse will win.

Enjoy your day!

Set ’em up Joe. Another round of Clorox shots. No Clorox, then any kind of bleach.

Texas has been Republican for a number of years. Beginning to trend Democratic. Texas for Trump at the moment.

As President, Trump speaks and many follow. After all, he is President and should know. Recall the Clorox/bleach episode a couple of months ago. Ingest or shoot it in the arm. Kills the coronavirus in a minute.

Might kill the person also!

The Texas Poison Center Network announced during the past month 46 persons in North Texas drank bleach.

Go Texas!

The Poison Network believes that some people believe bleach will prevent or cure coronavirus. The 46 did.

Fortunately, there were no serious injuries.

The Poison Network added that in recent months there has been a 71 percent uptake in calls involving bleach products. A 63 percent uptake in calls involving other household cleaners.

All lanes on Cow Key Bridge will open September 25. Hooray!

Credit must be given where earned. Whoever did the work on the bridge did an excellent job keeping the traffic moving. Much better than the company working on North Roosevelt Boulevard a few years ago.

Road surfacing will still have to be done. It will be done at night when there will be lane closures.

Before anyone writes and says there was less traffic because fewer visitors this summer, I agree such helped. There is however heavy traffic between 7 and 9 in the morning and 4 to 6 in the evening. Locals. Coming to work or returning home.

A good job is a good job and should be recognized!

Sloppy Joe’s reopening!

Sloppy Joe’s is to be commended for not rushing to reopen. It has remained closed because of the pandemic the past several months.

Reopening was either yesterday or will be next thursday. I could not determine exactly which thursday. There was little news re the reopening.

I occasionally suggest May Johnson is quite the woman. She has her “love” Everest working out of town. Does not refrain her from dancing several nights a week with some local men at La Brisa. She even goes to La Brisa with a male companion.

I am beginning to worry about Everest now. Not because of my May suspicions. Rather what May reported in her diary for this day in 1876.

She was given letters to Everest from the following ladies to mail to Everest: Corinne, Bertha and Myra.

Are May and Everest both playing the cat away, the mice will play game?

I have a strong feeling that before the diary ends, we will discover May has been philandering.

Washington Post columnist Paul Walden in a recent Opinion piece suggested Trump can’t decide whom he should tell the people to hate.

He keeps moving/jumping from one group or person to another.

Trump has no respect for rules and tradition. He considers himself all knowledgeable and the final answer on everything.

The CDC has a website. It first publishes new rules and guidelines on its website.

Today is publication day. A new set of testing guidelines will appear.

One problem between the CDC and the President is they cannot agree on testing. The Trump people say no testing required unless a person evidences Covid-19 symptoms.

The CDC has and continues to disagree. Test, test, test!

Makes sense.

Anyhow, without the knowledge or approval of the CDC, Trump’s people added the new testing language. Pin pointing the issue between Trump and the CDC: Less testing or more testing.

My home town Utica, New York recently experienced a “protesting situation” worthy of sharing.

On thursday a week ago, rumor had it that a BLM protest scheduled for saturday might tun into a Portland.

An unknown group had published in Craig’s List an ad looking to hire people to protest at the New Hartford Shopping Center. New Hartford is Utica’s immediate and connecting neighbor.

The Craig’s List ad also said those that did protest with them would be paid. Additionally once we get the present tenants out, the blacks will move in rent free.

Advance notice! New Hartford Shopping Center stores were boarded. The police got ready.

The BLM march was to be a peaceful one. Its march was labeled a Utica March for Justice. A one mile walk down Utica’s main thorough fare chanting whatever they intended.

Nothing happened. Fortunately.

Now comes the amusing part. The leader of the March was a Utican that has been involved in bettering the lives of black people. A well respected black. She said her group was not upset with Utica. The Mayor and Police have always been straight forward and cooperative.

I write about the situation primarily because of the Craig’s List ad. We have all read in the past the suggestion that paid protesters were brought into a community to intentionally cause trouble. Utica an example that never got off the ground.

Dr. Fauci. Probably the most respected doctor working on the coronavirus problem. Public health one of his fields of expertise. For more than 20 years, the people of the U.S. have known and respected him.

Fauci was asked what was the proper time to get this year’s flu shot. He said he gets his “towards the middle or end of October.”

I learned something. The reason he gets it mid to late October is the flu shot only has roughly a six month life. He wants the shot to give him protection as far into the new year as possible.

Another I never knew is that Boston’s original name was not Boston. It was Shawmut Village. Indian derivation. The name was changed to Boston in October 1630.

I’m going to Boston sounds a lot more favorable than I’m going to Shawmut for the weekend.

I have another hospital test scheduled for this afternoon. I have been self-quarantined close to 200 days, except for doctor visits and hospital testing. Though I suspect I am getting a little stir crazy from the self-quarantine, the hospital tests are an absolute mental pain. It is always whether something will be found and the waiting a week to see the doctor again for the results.

Enjoy your day!

U.S. no longer #1 in the world.

New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof recently wrote an interesting article about where the U.S. ranks in certain matters worldwide. His simply stated response was the U.S. is no longer #1. He stated the U.S. was “#28! And dropping!”

Shocking? No. Realistic, yes.

Many U.S. citizens believe we are the best in the world in everything. Deluding themselves. Trump keeps telling us we are #1 in this and that. He deludes himself and in turn those who believe every word he says.

I want to share Kristof’s column with you.

Kristof begins: “Quality of life has dropped in America over the last decade…..risen almost everywhere else.”

He referred to the newest Social Progress Index. The index assessed 163 countries worldwide. The U.S., Brazil and Hungary are the only ones in which people are worse off today than in 2011 when the Index began.

Kristof quotes Michael Porter of the Harvard Business School: “It’s like we’re a developing country.”

Norway has the best quality of life worldwide. The U.S. ranks 28th. Even worse than 2011 when it ranked 19th.

There is only one area where the U.S. ranks #1: Quality of our universities.

Access to quality basic education. Nowhere as good as our universities. Here the U.S. ranks #91

The U.S. is #1 in medical technology, but #97 in access to quality health care.

The following hard to believe. However Kristof reports it as being the case:  U.S. children receive an education on par with children in Uzbekistan and Mongolia.

The majority of countries have lower homicide rates than the U.S. Also, lower traffic fatality rates.

A majority of countries also have better sanitation and internet access.

Discrimination. The U.S. ranks #100 in discrimination against minorities.

Kristof noted the most recent Index precedes Covid-19. He believes a post Covid study will reflect an exacerbated slide in America’s standing.

Kristof further believes the impact of coronavirus will affect health, longevity and education. Particularly in the U.S. and Brazil.

Problems leading to the present state of affairs pre-date Trump. The problems have festered under leaders of both parties. However, the downward trend has accelerated under Trump.

Kristof referred to Rising Distress and Design. Distress and despair are not observed in other advanced countries. Drugs, alcohol and suicide are “deaths of despair.” Due to dysfunction in the U.S., such problems will be replicated in the next generation.

Kristof views the coming November election much like the one in 1932. The U.S. deservedly rejected Hoover and gave Roosevelt an electoral mandate, including a flipped Senate. The groundwork was laid for the New Deal and the modern middle class.

The U.S. can accomplish positive ends as Roosevelt did. However the U.S. first needs to acknowledge the reality that we are on the wrong track.

Kristof concludes: “Wake up! We are no longer the country we think we are.”

Today a significant one in American history. On this day in 1787, the Constitution was signed.

Not all delegates signed the Constitution. Many refused because there was no Bill of Rights. One because the Constitution codified and protected slavery and the slave trade.

A couple of weeks ago, I wrote about the Maine wedding which got out of hand because of guest numbers and that such was causing persons not guests to the reception miles away to become infected.

Some numbers are available. All because of tracking.

Maine has a law permitting no more than 50 guests at a wedding reception. Guests numbered 65. Neither masks nor social distancing was required.

The toll as of yesterday 176 confirmed cases. Nine have died.

Tracking traced the virus as far away as 100 and 200 miles in a camp ground and jail respectively.

Federal judges are not helping. I recently wrote that appeals have to be accelerated time wise. Finally solving a problem 2 years from now no help where an immediate danger is involved. Another problem is the Constitution is supposed to be a living document. It moves with the times. Such was I taught in law school. No more. Especially where Republican judges are involved.

A Federal judge in an Albany, New York case found Cuomo’s 50 limit to a wedding reception unconstitutional.

Today, we learn of a new case. One involving restraint and Covid-19. A federal judge in Pennsylvania decided the State’s shut down orders were unconstitutional. The Governor’s order was that people should stay at home, ordered “non-life sustaining businesses” to close, and placed limits on public gatherings.

The judge ruled Governor Wolfe’s measures were “well intentioned,” but “good intentions toward a laudable end are not alone enough to uphold governmental action against a Constitutional challenge.’

The State is appealing.

A Key West protest this week. Thirty protesters met at the White Street Pier and moved on to City Hall protesting the City’s rule that masks must in effect be worn everywhere.

Signs were carried with messages such as Stop Criminalizing Local Businesses, My Body My Choice, and No Mask Mandate.

My question: Who organized these protesters? I submit they were nor merely good hearted serious citizens. I believe money and influence organizes these events.

Wearing masks in Key West coming up for a vote again soon. Bar owners have joined in the fight to get the no mask bill passed. To them, it has become a take no enemies situation.

Reminds me of the people back in May who protested in a similar fashion at the intersection of U.S. 1 and North Roosevelt Boulevard to take down the U.S. 1 barrier. Definitely organized by people of influence. One prominent Key West business person could be seen running around at the site.

Western States taking a major beating with the wildfires. In California, Oregon and Washington 5 million acres scourged.

Smoke a major danger. Especially over Portland and Seattle.

A physician on TV yesterday compared the heavy smoke inhalation to smoking 20 packs of cigarettes a day.

What is Trump doing to help? Looks like token assistance so far.

May Johnson has been doing  lot of sewing in recent days in 1896 Key West. Dresses, hats and belts.

Today is Everest’s birthday. Her “love.” No mention whether she sent him a gift, card or what. Maybe nothing? A strange romance.

Enjoy your day!

NO BLOG TODAY

Dangerous Sally.

Now a Category 2 hurricane knocking the hell out of Louisiana. Never underestimate the power of a woman. Sally is behaving like the wrath of a woman scorned.

One problem, however. No one scorned Sally. She just up and took off. Now a wild woman beating up Louisiana and shortly several other states.

Sally came to everyone’s attention roughly 10 days ago. A small storm of the coast of Africa. Nothing to worry about. Probably would never take form. Weather people doubted it would even become a tropical storm.

A day or 2 later, might form. Not to worry, however. At best a tropical storm and would never hit the United States. It would turn north and blow itself out somewhere over the Atlantic.

Never turned. Kept coming. At one point, the cone coming straight over Key West.

Not to worry. Merely some wind and rain.

Then Sally started moving south. Looked like it was going to completely miss the Keys. Not so. The Keys were on the north edge of the cone. She would brush Key West. A bit of rain and some wind.

Sally was in no hurry. She lumbered along at her own speed.

Key West had 1 1/2 days of heavy rain, wind and lightning. The rain the worst. A record rainfall in one day: 11.3 inches. Previous record a mere 2.5 inches.

Sally is carrying a lot of water. And respectfully, pissing where ever she goes. Rain, rain, and more rain!

Sally turned into the Gulf and headed for Louisiana and Mississippi.

The word was she “might” become a Category 1 when she made landfall. Then upped to a 2.

Sally hit Louisiana as a Category 2.

Sally is beating up the land areas with rain. Big time rain! Which means big time flooding. Rainfall expected to be 9-16 inches. In some places, as high as 20 inches.

I share Sally with you once again because she impresses me. Very much so. Her starting off the coast of Africa as a bunch of wind that would probably not even form. Some weather people thought she would dissipate.

Sally fooled everyone! Typical female. She did what she wanted

I watched the Middle East Peace Accord signing at the White House today. Israel, the UAE, and Bahrain involved.

Trump is touting this signing as a major peace agreement that solves Middle East problems.

Once again, Trump misleads.

Peace in the Middle East requires the Palestinians. Palestinians not involved means in reality the agreement is insignificant.

The real problem has been the Palestinians and Israelites. Other Arabs already like each other.

Israel was not a party to the agreement, did not attend the ceremony, and said in effect the agreement did nothing to bring peace to the Middle East.

The Peace Agreement of no value for 2 reasons. The first the absence of the Palestinians. The other if it were so important, why were the UAE and Bahrain represented by their foreign ministers as opposed to their Presidents?

Trump made a big deal of the signing. Smiling broadly. It was his show. He took credit for “bring the parties together.”

Trump’s tongue hangs out for the Nobel Peace Prize.

I was discussing with a friend on Skype Catholic education. Brought to mind my high school days.

A few years back I wrote an article concerning the experience and influence it had o me.

Elizabeth Ann Bayley was born August 28, 1774. To a wealthy family. She was the founder of the Sisters of Charity of St. Joseph. Some warm reflections from those days. My teenage days. High school. The Sisters of Charity of St. Joseph taught me. Henceforth to be referred to as Sisters of Charity.

Utica Catholic Academy.

My high school was in Utica, NY. Stood in the back of a large lot next to St. John’s Church on John Street.

The building tiny. Three stories high. The height larger than the width of the building.

Today, the school is gone. The land the school stood on a parking lot for St. John’s Church.

The heads of Sisters of Charity were capped with big white head coverings. Looked like wings. Body attire, dark blue ankle length dresses. Tied around their waists, extremely large and heavy appearing rosary beads.

The Sisters lived in an old Victorian building one block away. Today, a deserted lot.

The Sisters were excellent teachers. Disciplinarians. In teaching and personal matters. A sister would not hesitate storming into the boys’ bathroom if she thought there was smoking going on.

I got caught. On more than one occasion. Learned from one nun as she twisted my ear: The cigarette is a dirty weed and from it the Devil doth proceed.

Didn’t do much good. I smoked for many years.

One of the nuns had a distinct impact on my life. Sister Gertrude. A short stout elderly woman. A craggy beautiful face.

She discovered my love for history. Did everything to encourage it. She is also the reason I went to Manhattan College. She pushed Manhattan. Her cousin was a Christian Brother and Director of Athletics.

Latin was required in high school. I took three years. Thought it was stupid, but Sister Gertrude insisted. During my life time, I discovered those three years of Latin did more for me than any course I studied at any age.

Elizabeth Ann Bayley was born an Episcopalian. Married at 19. Became known as Elizabeth Seton. Bore 5 children. Her husband died ten years after their marriage.

Elizabeth was broke. Her husband had become ill some time before he died. Their money was gone. The family was stuck in Italy where they had gone believing the Italian weather would be good for her husband’s health.

Some Catholic Italian friends helped. She was impressed with their kindness and charity. Studied the Catholic religion. Became a Catholic.

Catholicism was neither popular nor respected in those days. Even her Episcopalian family deserted her.

Elizabeth returned to the United States. The Baltimore area. She became involved with helping the poor and needy. Especially women.

She founded the first Catholic school in the United States. Turned out to be the beginning of the parochial school system in the United States.

A group of women flocked to Elizabeth to assist her in the good works being performed. Elizabeth felt they should become an established nunnery order within the Catholic church. She pursued and accomplished the goal. Elizabeth founded the first female apostolic community in the United States. The Sisters of Charity of St. Joseph.

In 1975, the Pope recognized her commitment and success to humanity. She was ordained a Saint of the Catholic Church. The first American born to be so honored.

Enjoy your day!