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!

There are some matters in a democracy worthy of protest and demonstrations. Restrictions on non essential businesses and a stay at home order are not. Especially at this point in time.

Two days ago, Lansing, Michigan was home to a significant protest. Thousands involved.

Lansing is Michigan’s capital.

Cars clogged the streets surrounding Capital buildings. Resulting in the streets being constantly jammed. From my perspective, the protest a little too much. Horns blaring. More walked. Some carried assault rifles. Protesters estimated in the thousands.

The demonstration was planned for 2 hours. It lasted nearly 8.

Michigan is having a difficult time with coronavirus. It is ranked #3 in the nation regarding the virus’ impact. Confirmed cases number 27,000, deaths 1,099.

Michigan’s Governor is Gretchen Witmer. A Democrat. Obviously not liked by the protesters. The protest was a planned one. Not spontaneous.

Shouts of “recall Witmer” and “lock her up” were constant.

Some protesters wore Trump gear.

The protest was labeled Operation Gridlock.

It reflected more a political rally rather than a protest against a stay at home order.

Behind the protest was the Michigan Conservative Coalition. The group was listed as a co-sponsor. It  has strong ties with Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos and her family. The Coalition is funded in large part by the DeVos family.

Whether a political rally, a health protest, or a get me back to work one, the entire scene was too much. Especially the assault rifles. One errant shot or one car running into a non involved person and it would have been blood on the street time.

The DeVos family is probably the most influential Republican family in Michigan and one of the leading ones nationally.

Betsy DeVos is 62. Presently Secretary of Education.

Her father was a billionaire industrialist. In 2016, Forbes listed the DeVos family as the 88th richest in the U.S. Wealth estimated at $5.4 billion.

Betsy has long been involved in Republican politics. Served as Chairperson of the Michigan Republican Party. A staunch conservative. An equally staunch evangelical.

Betsy openly admits she is out to destroy the public school system and replace it with privatization. She claims she wants to use schools to build “God’s Kingdom.”

Her political credentials  are worthy of note. She is recognized as a “political pit bull” and a good fund raiser. She and her family are reported to have donated $17 million to Republicans since 1989.

Forbes also lists noteworthy charitable givers. In 2015,  Betsy and her husband Dick through the Dick and Betsy DeVos Family Foundation donated $11.6 million to charitable causes.

Dick and Betsy have donated to charities over their lifetime a total of $139 million. Dick by he way is heir to the Amway fortune and a billionaire in his own right.

Betsy openly concedes that her family buys influence.

In 2010, she and her husband donated $22.5 million to the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.  The bequest represents the largest donation in the Kennedy Center’s history.

Betsy’s brother Erik Prince is a person of influence and affluence also. He made his fortune with mercenary forces. He was the founder of Blackwater USA. The private military service contractor. He is still in business, though under other names.

The family’s affluence is reflected in the fact they own 10 yachts world wide.

SeaQuest is purportedly Betsy’s favorite. Generally moored on Lake Erie. One hundred sixty four feet long. Purchased in 2018 for $40 million.

I have taken the time to introduce Betsy and her family. Not only of significant political influence in Michigan. Also nationally. Strong Trump supporters.

My motivation for writing the blog based on my belief that the results of the Michigan coronavirus situation were not worthy of the April 15 protest.

Enjoy your day!

In the 1960’s, abortion was a hot issue. Though out front yet today, it was a more often discussed item back then. Even in social gatherings.

My thoughts on the issue have swayed back and forth over the years.

In the 1960’s, my feelings were clear. I believed life began at conception. The fetus was human. Ergo, abortion constituted the killing of a human.

I used to comment during these discussions that those who supported abortion should beware. Today we will kill the young. Tomorrow, the old. When that time arrives, we will be the old. Society will approve of killing us.

There is a growing belief that coronavirus may require letting the elderly die so the young may survive. Based on a lack of sufficient equipment/supplies for all. The underlying theory is the elderly are going to die anyway in due course. The inhalator will be of little use to them because of their age. Let them go. In fact, don’t even admit them to a hospital.

Many in the U.S. support the premise. Some are senior citizens. Where are their heads?

What concerns me even further is society will then move another step forward. For some reason down the line, society will continence putting people death at a certain age. Eighty, for example. Once that age is reached, people must drink the hemlock or receive an injection of a deadly drug into their bodies.

During this coronavirus crisis, only Greece and Germany have spoken in favor of the elderly.

Trump is 78. This kill the elderly think still in its formative stage. If it occurs, it is still a few years away. If it does, I hope Trump is lying next to me. Drinking the hemlock or getting a needle in the arm.

From the morbid to the pleasant.

Cocktails at 7 was an absolute delight. We spent 2 hours on skype. Could see, but not hear. We had to use our cell phones also.

It was like a first date. After a while, I forgot we were 2,717 miles apart as the birds fly.

Got ready for the evening as if I were going out. Trimmed my beard. Did my nails. Showered. Pressed a shirt. Down to no clean/pressed shirts. Laundry closed.

I enjoy people. Sitting and talking. Communication a big part of my life. The last 5 weeks have been a bit difficult in that regard. It was nice sitting back and enjoying someone’s company.

Cathy was good company.

One negative. I drank.

Since becoming afflicted with pancreatitis last year, I have had to cut back on my drinking dramatically. Before my self-quarantine, 1-2 drinks a week.

Last night, 3 small bottles of gin. The size they give you on airplanes. Probably a half ounce in each. Three in 2 hours meant 1.5 ounces consumed.

Knocked me on my ass! This morning I have the hangover of all hangovers! Doing this blog is like digging ditches.

Whatever. Cathy, thank you for a wonderful evening!

Monroe County announced it will be furloughing 61 employees.

It was reported this morning that Trump’s Doral is in the furloughing business also. Trump Doral has already laid off 560 employees.

The Citizen reported the repair of Duval Street is almost complete. Glad the repair work is being done while everyone is under a stay in order.

No one will argue these are difficult times we live in. Many making sacrifices beyond belief. Medical personnel a group.

There is another. Pregnant women who come down with coronavirus.

Two stories. Ironically both women hospital staff. One a nurse, the other a respiratory therapist.

Mary Apyapong a 28 year old English nurse.

Treated for coronavirus as an out patient. Two days later admitted to the hospital. Her symptoms had worsened.

Mary was concerned with her unborn child. She was near term. She consented to an emergency cesarean section to hopefully protect her unborn.

The baby survived. Mary died.

So far her new born daughter has not shown signs of coronavirus.

Angela Primachenko a 27 year old hospital respiratory therapist. The virus hit her. She was placed in intensive care. Placed in a medically induced coma 3/29 to assist her body in fighting the coronavirus.

She was 33 weeks pregnant at the time.

While Angela was in the coma, the doctors became concerned about the baby she was carrying. On 4/1 labor was induced. Angela had a normal delivery.

When Angela came out of the coma, she was surprised her stomach was gone. She was also surprised that her baby had been born.

A daughter. A preemie. Thirty three weeks. The baby is in a neo-natal intensive care unit. Doing well. However, she will remain there till she can “eat and poop” on her own.

Trump time.

Trump has changed the color of his hair. No longer that golden blond. Now a white/gray. Silverish.

No comment by the President yet. I assume his hair change of color was to make it look like he was working hard as President. He must have seen Obama on TV this past week. He is getting gray!

Someone commented Trump was looking for sympathy. Wanted people to feel sorry for him because of the hard work he claims to do.

Donald says he can close down Congress. Amazing the powers he attributes to himself and the Presidency.

Good luck, Mr. President! It will be a cold day in hell before such is possible.

Trump is determined to reopen the country. Get the economy going again.

He is too early, though he may get away with opening some areas in the next 10 days.

I give any areas opened 4-6 weeks before coronavirus returns more flagrant than before.

A study came out over the weekend. Only 20 percent of those interviewed were in a hurry to return to work, etc. They felt unsafe. Would rather wait a bit longer. Most thought there should be more testing.

The unemployment numbers came out this morning. An additional 5.2 million persons applied for unemployment during the week ending 4/11. Which brings the total for a four week period to 22 million. The 22 million figure means 1 out 7 is presently unemployed.

AXIOS reported this morning, “More jobs have now been lost in the last month than were gained since the Great Recession.”

Enjoy your day!

I’m all excited! Big night tonight! I’m having cocktails at 7 my time with a lovely lady in Seattle.

Cathy Hakola.

I mentioned Cathy about 2 weeks ago. A message on Facebook. Cathy shared with me she had lived in Key West in 1987. At the Gat0 House. Had an experience with Matron Gustens. I fell in love with her when she told me she had been reading my blog for years.

She was vacationing near Boca Raton. Returning to Seattle the next day.

A few days later I had skype. Cathy was apparently a skyper. I must have told her I would be on skype in a few days. We skyped. Took a little time to work things out. She walked me through it.

We spent a delightful hour.

Cathy is 54, affiliated with a Seattle hospital, divorced, etc.

I mentioned that I drank very little since my pancreatitis attack last year. Also, that I was self quarantined. This is day 36 by the way.

Out of all this, tonight was born. Cocktails via skype. It will be 4 o’clock Cathy’s time.

She took care of the alcohol problem. Bought me 5 small jars of gin in Seattle and Fed Ex’d them to me.

I am all set. All I have to do is trim my beard.

Virtual dating. Who would have believed!

My time in Greece taught me the Greek people were unique. More caring and loving than most.

Their experience with coronavirus proof.

In the U.S. and most parts of the world, the old are brushed aside to care for the young. The young having a better chance to survive in a world where inhalators, etc. were in short supply.

I opted to self-quarantine because of that. I am 84, have a bad heart, and several underlying problems.

Greece has a different attitude when it comes to the old.

Dr. Sotirios Tsiodras is a Harvard grad. He is a Professor of Medicine in Greece. He is also the leader of the Task Force dealing with the virus.

His attitude toward the sick different. He has instructed medical persons not to turn their backs on the elderly.

His reasoning simple: “They’re our mothers and fathers, grandmothers and granddads…..Honor and respect every one – them especially. Without them we have no identity, we don’t exist.”

Julian Assange. Owner of Wikileaks. The man who in 2010 somehow acquired U.S. Army intelligence of a very sensitive nature. He published it.

The U.S. wants to arrest him. Assange ran from one country to another. Finally found a safe haven till recently at Ecuador’s Embassy in London.

He spent 7 years there. Recently let out, he was arrested by the English and is spending one year in jail there or somewhere in Europe. When he is released, the U.S. will want him returned to the U.S. to face charges.

I felt sorry for Assange. Sometimes certain government information has to be leaked for the good of the nation. Whether the U.S. Army papers were such, I do not know.

Adding to my sadness was that he was spending years in the Embassy in London. I am sure he was well treated. I envisioned him in a small room, some books to read, a small TV. Though of his making, an uncomfortable position.

Turns out things were not so bad.

Assange fathered 2 children while locked in the Embassy. Sex while confined. Not a bad deal.

The children: Gabriel 3 and Max 1.

The mother is Stella Morris. Now age 37. She is one of Assange’s lawyers. Part of his legal team.

The children are not “accidents.” Intentionally bred. Stella says they wanted a family. She added that Assange is “extraordinary, generous, tender and loving.”

Assange even got the opportunity to watch his 2 children being born. Via a video link from the Embassy to the hospital delivery room.

Assange’s “monastic” life not as bad as I thought.

China and coronavirus daily in the news. The country where it all started.

China was first in and was thought to be the first out of the problem. Not so. A second wave of the virus is developing. Attributed to Chinese business men traveling in and out.

China is trying to keep the second wave problem quiet. As it did with the first. The government has “quietly reimposed restrictions” on news releases.

Excuse the redundancy, but it is good to have good friends.

Florida’s Governor De Santis is an incompetent. Even worse than Trump. His problem is he is at Trump’s heels like a lap dog. Follows the Trump line 100 percent. Trump considers him an excellent Governor, of course.

Florida gets all the equipment and materials it needs to fight the virus. Sometimes even more than requested.

Testing a U.S. problem big time. In spite of Trump’s “we have the best testing in the world.” Not enough testing kits/apparatus anywhere. Or, so I thought.

As of last friday, the Daytona Beach Advent Health Hospital began doing 500 or more drive up tests. The number immaterial. Enough tests available.

The Daytona International Speedway somewhat involved.

A study was released over the weekend. In addition to age, obesity is a major factor in determining survival.

It is expected that obesity will join age in being a deciding factor re admissions to certain hospitals.

So difficult to believe the U.S. has reached this stage.

Donald was required to switch positions again this week. One day the Presidency is all powerful, Governors/States below him. The next it is the Governors and States responsibility to decide when virus restrictions can be relieved and people can return to work.

In 24 hours, Trump found out the law was on the side of the Governors and States. Another example of the President not understanding the Constitution.

Trump said in effect he “may” help if the States fail.

Glad we are all in this together!

Not all stimulus payments are direct. Most will be by check.

Mailing of checks held up a few days because the President decided he wanted his name on the checks.

Trump wanted his name on the checks as signing on behalf of the government. Prohibited by law as it turns out. Authorized signers for legal disbursements by the U.S. Treasury are permitted only by an authorized signer. Standard practice is for a civil servant to sign the checks to ensure that government payments are nonpartisan.

Instead the President’s name will appear on the bottom left hand corner of the checks where Memo is: “President Donald J. Trump.”

The Trump name on the checks has delayed their issuance. Technical problems in adding Trump’s name. Were supposed to go out earlier in the week. Reported they will begin going out today.

Trump is looking for scapegoats for his many failures re the coronavirus problem. He never takes responsibility. Always someone else’s fault.

A list is developing. Names on the list so far: China, WHO, Fauci, and the Governors.

One, some, or all.

I close with May Johnson. With her diary entry for this date in 1896, the Key West Citizen ran her photograph. I dare not describe her. Everything different from what I expected of a 19 year old school teacher. Her hair, her glasses, lack of a smile. She looks like a prudish school teacher from days of old. Probably should. She was a school teacher.

Enjoy your day! I am going to enjoy my evening!

Trump has been elevated once again. By his own sheer power. If he believes something, it is.

He began as an ordinary person. Not really. The son of a millionaire. Got financed by his father to get started. He turned into a personality. Then President. Now a self-anointed king. Tomorrow, God.

Wow!

He is lucky he made it to President. He has to be stopped before actually becoming King. His words yesterday were loud and clear: “Authority of the President is total.”

In his mind only. No way legally. Many of the governors will stand up to him. And win!

It amazes me. Trump kept throwing responsibility for the handling of the crisis to the States. Now that there is light at the end of the tunnel (from his perspective), he wants to move to the one thing important to him. The economy. Helping big business.

It is his road to winning the election.

I worry there may not be an election in November. Or, assuming Trump loses, he refuses to give up the Presidency on some sort of lame excuse like the election was rigged.

He will not go easy!

He wants to be Putin.

His present position re his power as President borders on madness. He is in the throes of usurping power. He is trying to take for his that which is not his.

Cuomo and the other governors mount your white chargers. Take him down!

Trump’s rush to federalism (as he sees it) is a charade. An absurd pretense.

Many years I have sat in the Chart Room. I write this blog which frequently mentions the Chart Room. Over the years, people started visiting the Chart Room looking to meet Key West Lou.

It has been 15 yeas that I have been a fixture at the Chart Room. The number of people I meet, say hello to, chat with, hug, etc., I cannot estimate. Which also means I cannot recall all of them. Impossible.

I’m only human.

My good friend Theos chastised me yesterday for mentioning I had never met Pasta Pantaleo from Islamorada. Pasta is Theos good friend also.

After hearing from Theos again, I recalled Pasta. He came in about a year ago. A stocky guy. Bright faced. Hair and beard white. I especially liked his beard.

He came in as I was leaving. We did not spend that much time together. Probably why I did not initially recall him. In any event, Theos I am sorry! And if Pasta is aware, I apologize to him too.

I can’t win!

Whatever, I still love you Theos!

Theos mentioned that Pasta refers to me as Mango Man. I could not figure it out at first. Got it now. All alone. Did not need Theos to explain.

Jimmy Buffett wrote Last Mango in Paris. The mango in the song was Captain Tony. Key West’s man of everything. Captain Tony did it all. All over the world.

Certain portions of Buffet’s great tune: “I went down to Captain Tony’s / To get out of the heat / I heard a voice call out to me / ‘Son come here have a seat’….. / But a legend never dies / He said I ate the last mango in Paris / I took the last plane out of Saigon / Took the first fast boat to China…..”

Anna has written several times since I blogged that I thought she might be dead. When the virus hit Italy, I became concerned for her. She is alive and well. E-mails me with some frequency now.

She wrote to me mentioning Easter Monday. Turns out some countries celebrate the day after Easter also as part of the Easter celebration. Don’t ask me why. I don’t know and could not figure out why.

The Italians eat a special food on Easter Monday. Sort of like the Easter Sunday ham in the U.S. It is a cake. The Pasqudalina cake. A combination of eggs, spinach, parmesan cheese, soft cheese, and any vegetables the cook wants to throw in. Baked in the oven. A “must” to eat Easter Monday in Italy.

Italy has another custom we do not celebrate in the U.S. Learned from Anna also.

The Feast of the Epiphany is January 6. Italian tradition says the folk lady Befana comes to visit the children the night before. She looks like a witch. Only has a few teeth. A good lady however.

Our Christmas mixes with the story of Bifana. She brings candy and cookies and puts them in children’s stockings the night before Epiphany. However, and this is a big however, if a child was bad the child received coal.

My parents put coal in my stocking one Christmas. I have been searching my mind as to what bad thing I did before Christmas to deserve coal. I think I smoked.

I had intended to write an anti-Trump blog this morning. I got side tracked somehow. I will stay with the “softer” topics.

Work on Cow Key Bridge begins this week. A great time to begin! Little traffic. Going to be a nightmare when we are all out of our homes and driving around.

Thus far Key West has experienced 28 confirmed coronavirus cases. All residents. No deaths yet. Hope it remains that way.

Key West father to many eccentric stories. The most way out one the eccentric romance of Count Carl von Cosel aka Carl Tangler.

The Count was in love with a much younger lady. She unfortunately died at 29 from tuberculosis. Her name Elena Hoyos Mesa. A beauty.

The Count obtained her family’s permission to have Elena placed to rest in a mausoleum in the Key West Cemetery. He payed to have it erected.

I saw a picture of the mausoleum this morning in KONK E-Blast. Huge! Magnificent!

Elena was left quiet in the mausoleum for 2 years. Then the Count stole her body. Took her to his home. Did a number of things to her body to maintain it and kept her for 7 years. He slept with her, danced with her, etc.

Elena’s family discovered what had occurred. The Count was arrested. Charges against him were ultimately dropped. All barred by the statute of limitations.

Elena was buried in a secret place so the Count would not try to do it again.

On this day in 1940, the Count left Key West for Zephyrhillis. A couple of hours after he left Key West, the mausoleum was destroyed by a “violent explosion.”

May Johnson has apparently recovered. On this day in 1896, she wrote she made some sandwiches and spent the day at La Brisas.

La Brisas had to be a big money maker. From pictures of the place and stories I have read, it seems like everyone went there to have fun. A huge open air pavilion on the ocean.

Today, a sad day in history for 2 reasons.

Abraham Lincoln was shot at the Ford Theater in Washington by John Wilkes Booth in 1865. The President died the next day.

On this day in 1912, the Titanic collided with an iceberg. The Titanic sunk in 2 hours 40 minutes later with 1,514 lives lost.

Tonight, Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. Nine my time. Guaranteed a wild and informative half hour. Probably all Trump. Oh, the stories that will be told! Some you are aware of, others not. Join me. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou.

Enjoy your day!