John Keats was a romantic poet. A romantic lyric poet. Unfortunately, his life was short. He died this day in 1821 at the age of 26. Tuberculosis.

Keats father died when he was young. His mother deserted him. Left him in his grandmother’s care.

Keats himself was sickly. In what might be described as his later years, he developed tuberculosis. His then doctor thought the cold winter would be too much for him. Suggested Keats travel to Rome where it was warmer.

Keats condition worsened. The tuberculosis advanced in 1819-20. He constantly ran a high fever. His body never free from pain.

His Rome doctor put him on  a strict diet. One anchovy and one slice of bread a day. That’s all.

The doctor was also concerned with the flow of blood to his stomach. He induced heavy bleeding which resulted in Keats suffering from both a lack of oxygen and a lack of food.

The wonders of “modern medicine” at the time!

Thirty five years ago, I spent a month in the Rome area with my family. On one of our last days in Rome, my then wife wanted to go shopping for herself and my daughters.

The American dollar was worth a fortune. One American dollar was worth 2,100 lire. Everything cheap!

My wife made me a deal. She said give me $3,000 American money. I will not bother you for a year for money for myself or our 3 daughters for clothes.

Made sense. I went to American Express and turned $3,000 into I don’t know how much lire. American Express placed my lire fortune in 3 large paper grocery shopping bags. Dumped the lire in in no particular order.

Off the ladies went. My wife was correct. She did not even spend all the lire. To appreciate its buying power, we had to purchase additional suitcases for the return trip. We went through customs with close to 30 suitcases.

I hate shopping. Always have. Even for men’s clothes.

While they shopped, I wandered. Came to the Spanish Steps. Sat for a while and watched the world go by.

Walked again.

Immediately next door at the foot of the Spanish steps was a small 4 story building. Described by some as a villa. There was a small bronze plaque by the door. Inscribed “John Keats.”

The last time I had heard Keats was back in college in a poetry writing class.

I entered. Discovered it was a Keats Museum.

The bedroom which was his final resting place was on the fourth floor. I was able to view the bedroom and the other rooms he lived in.

Off the bedroom was a small library. Contained Keats works. One brought tears to my eyes.

It was a line from one of his poems. Scribbled in pencil on a piece of paper. Probably the most famous line he ever wrote: “A thing of beauty is a joy forever.”

Enjoyed dinner last night with a wonderful companion. Susan Neill.

We have known each other some 15 years. She is assistant to Dr. McIvor, my heart doctor.

We have become friends over the years. My “shortcut” to seeing Doctor McIvor. She is also available to explain what is going on with me when the good Doctor is at the hospital.

Needless to say, she has “put up” with me for 15 years.

We both are political junkies.

Got to together for the first time socially last night. Dinner at Pier 1.

It was an evening of good food, good company, and good fun. We were the last to leave the restaurant.

Bernie Sanders’ Nevada victory yesterday stunning! He could ultimately end up the Democratic candidate. We should know by mid March.

Is Sanders’ victory to be considered a breakout moment? Or is he toast and will not hold up in subsequent primaries?

I don’t know. Have thoughts, but not opinions.

He appears in demand at the moment. Many of his supporters appear to be discontents. The same type people who elected Trump. Not the same group, the same mentality.

The young voters his largest group of supporters. Why not? If I were their age, I probably would also. Free public college tuition, forgiveness of student loans.

He is a socialist. Not a bad word. Not a good political philosophy however for one seeking to guide the strongest nation in the world. Would his election mean the U.S. will become a socialistic state in due course?

Another question. Will Congress be completely Democratic if Sanders wins? Will he be able to carry a Democratic Senate into office with him?

I doubt it. The Senate might become decidedly more Republican. Which means nothing will get done. The status quo will continue. Sanders’ grandiose, sometimes great, ideas will never become laws.

Trump’s influence is being felt on the Supreme Court.

Justice Sonia Sotomayor is a Democrat. One of 4. The remaining 5 Republican appointees. Two Trump’s.

In a written decision friday, Justice Sotomayor accused her fellow Justices (Republican ones) of doing President Trump’s bidding. In a 5-4 decision.

Involved was nothing of great consequence. The case had already been decided by 2 lower courts. Both decided contrary to what the Supreme Court did.

The subject matter concerned providing the Trump administration a temporary stay till the Supreme Court could review the matter. Involved was updating a “public change” involving immigrants.

The Republican side of the Supreme Court has consistently voted in Trump’s favor in these cases. Justice Sotomayor had it! She wrote openly as to what she thought about her fellow jurists. An unusual thing.

She wrote: Granting the stays amounts to “putting a thumb on the scale in favor of the party that won the stay.”

In the past 2 years, Trump has asked for and received significant increases in the military budget. His cry always the same: We need the money to protect ourselves.

If such is the case, why does money keep moving from the military budget to pay for the wall? Billions of dollars in each of the past 2 years.

Another issue arises. The Pentagon continues to come up with big dollars it cannot account for. The most recent the announcement that the Defense Department Inspector General discovered $715.8 million in weapons for which it could not account. All were supposedly to have been used in fighting ISIS.

Syracuse beat Georgia Tech yesterday 79-72. The game’s result unique. Not that Syracuse won. How Syracuse won!

Syracuse was down by 11 points at half time. The second half was  another story. Syracuse came out fast. Continued to do so. Outscored Georgia Tech 52-39 in the second half.

Syracuse only shot 27 percent in the first half. The second, 64 percent of the time. Says it all!

Syracuse obviously came to play in the second half.

Enjoy your Sunday!

Happy National Margarita Day!

The weather changes fast in Key West.

I left the house at 6 last night. It was 82 degrees.

Took me longer to drive into town because it’s season. Traffic horrendous. Instead of 15 minutes, like 35.

I had driven directly to the Pier House. Got out of the car and could not believe how cold it was. Seventy one degrees. Eleven degree drop in less than an hour.

It was especially cold at the Pier House. The wind coming in off the Gulf felt freezing cold!

A cold wave came in from somewhere.

Today’s’ weather in the mid 70’s. Tonight will drop to 62. The weather people calculate chill factor for Key West. The 62 degrees will feel like 56.

Read an interesting weather piece on Antarctica this morning. Covered the time frame 2/4-2/13.

Antarctica is considered the coldest place on Earth. Not during the dates indicated. A heat wave hit!

NASA’s Earth Observatory receives images from the agency’s Landset 8 satellite.

Eagle Island is part of Antarctica. On 2/4, the satellite images showed plenty of snow coverage. On 2/13, the images showed bright blue melt ponds and exposed ground. A heat wave had liquefied 20 percent of Eagle Island’s seasonal snow accumulation in roughly a week.

Not unusual for there to be periods of heat resulting in melting. What is relatively new is that they are more frequent.

Referred to as global warming or climate change. Take your pick, or both.

Spent some time in the Chart Room last night. Packed. Mostly tourists. The only 2 people I knew were Tammy who was bartending and Sheila.

Tammy is venturing into a new experience. Radio. A talk show host.

Station 104.9 FM. Presently training. Thursday 5-7. Her 4 week training period ends next thursday. Following which her own show will be heard 7-9  thursday evenings.

Tammy is a natural charmer. Sincere. Her virtues will be obvious to the ear.

Go for it, Tammy!

The season is in full swing. Restaurants packed. I opted to avoid the situation. Drove home and fed myself.

It was this day in 1960. Harry Truman was no longer President. He and Bess wanted to vacation in Key West.

They were the guests of then Sheriff John and Mary Spottswood. The Sheriff later became a State Senator. He was a prominent figure in Key West’s development.

The Trumans stayed a the Spottswood home on the corner of Caroline and Simonton. Still stands today. A magnificent edifice. One of Key West’s finest appearing homes.

The Sheriff and his wife are long gone. His son Robert and wife Elena live in the home. Raised their family there.

Robert is one of the Sheriff’s several children. They all remained and continued their father’s community spirit.

I only know Robert and Elena. Great people! Involved in everything. On all kinds of boards. The Marriott Beachside is a Spottswood investment overseered by Robert.

Dentistry different and cheaper in May Johnson’s time in 1896.

On this day, she returned to the dentist. “He finished up my teeth with two gold and two silver, $4.50 – reasonable.”

Coronavirus is developing into an epidemic of world wide proportions. China the worst hit. Of course, the virus first struck there.

China is using robots and drones as part of engaging the virus. Especially, robots.

The robots are being used to to spray disinfectants on the ground. Also in places where the virus has already existed: Ambulances that carried sick or victims who died, hospital rooms, etc.

Anyplace where the virus or disinfectant might be harmful to non-infected humans.

The robots are relatively tiny. Pics remind me of a large turtle. Each carries 21 gallons of disinfectant.

Most believe Russia interfered in the 20126 Presidential election. Trump refuses to accept the premises because he wants no one to believe he was not “validly” elected. Embarrassing enough Hillary beat him by almost 3 million in the popular vote count.

The 2020 election is less than 8 months away. Intelligence experts that Trump keeps firing believe Russia interfered then and is now.

It appears the U.S. has done relatively little, if anything, to combat Russia’s hacking for the 2020 election. Note also that it is anticipated China and Pakistan will also be involved.

While the U.S. sits on its ass!

The strongest nation in the world is unable to protect its voting process!

Enjoy your day!

Tomorrow is  National Margarita Day. Of special importance to Key West.

Many Key West tourists order margaritas. Drinking enough makes for a well lubricated holiday.

Jimmy Buffett and margaritas go hand in hand. The song Margaritaville. Followed in due course by the Key West restaurant bearing the same name.

Recall Margaritaville. Jimmy Buffett singing I “blew out my flip flop.”

The world famous song begins: “Nibblin’ on a sponge cake / Watchin’ the sun bake / All of those tourists covered with oil / Strummin’ my six strings on my front porch swing….. / Wasting away again in Margaritaville.”

Buffett wrote the song in 1977. One of Key West’s craziest times. The entire song was not written in Key West. Two places. Begun in Austin, Texas and finished in Key West.

It started with the drink. Buffett discovered the drink which was known as a “margaritas” at Lung’s Cocina del Sur Restaurant in Austin. The song followed.

Enjoy a margarita tomorrow! Thinking of Buffett and the song at the same time will not be difficult. He and his song will be heard all over town.

A slow Louis day yesterday.

Spent a couple of hours at the outdoor pool bar at the Doubletree Hotel. A couple of diet Pepsi’s, read several chapters of Her Soldier of the Queen, and watched the bikini clad ladies pass by. Some wearing thongs.

Dinner last night at Shana Key. I have come to like the place. Food hearty. Customers locals. Chatting easy.

It amazes me how many different roles Tino gets to play as an extra.

Three photos today.

One shown last week. Tino dressed as a bum. From the CHI TV series which portrayed south Chicago.

The other two of Tino sitting next to a Cardinal in a gold decorated dining room in Chicago’s Drake Hotel. If my recollection is correct, they are from an Exorcist movie. Tino sits on the left side of the table next to a Cardinal in one and two seats away in the other.

I fear confrontation is breeding.

Trump does not give up. He keeps pushing and pushing. Relentlessly. Especially since his impeachment acquittal. He is emboldened. It is his country. He is God. He can do anything.

The most recent episode occurred yesterday in California.

California is a sanctuary state and many of it cities have so identified themselves.

California passed a law last year that courthouse arrests of immigrants were prohibited unless a judicial warrant had first been obtained. ICE and other immigration officials were going into courthouses arresting illegal immigrants who were in court facing non-immigrant charges.

Two years ago, the Trump administration announced a “policy” allowing federal arrests of illegal immigrants in local courthouses.

The confrontation between state law and federal policy finally occurred yesterday. Two illegal immigrants were in local courts facing local minor criminal charges. ICE officers arrived in civilian clothes (sneaks) and made the arrests.

ICE claims it has the right to do so because federal law supersedes state law. Not always, however.

California’s prohibition is based on a “law.” ICE’s actions on “federal policy.” Birds of a different feather. A “policy” is not a “law.”

Also, it is basic to the law in all fifty states that public health, safety and morals are the responsibility of the state. Generally interpreted to mean criminal matters. There are federal exceptions.

Another high appellate court case in the making!

People are becoming frustrated with court cases involving Trump’s missteps. They take too  long. If the frustration builds, resolution may come in the streets.

Now for Afghanistan.

What follows reminds me of Chamberlain’s return from a conference with Hitler in Munich. Getting off the plane returning him to London, Chamberlain waived a document and shouted: Peace in our time!

It did not happen. Chamberlain had been bullshitted by Hitler.

Now the team of Trump and Pompeo are telling us they are about to achieve peace in Afghanistan. Thus ending a 20 year war.

Good fodder for the election. Trump will love to go before the American people and say he ended the war.

Just as he got the North Koreans to agree to give up nuclear weapons.

The American people are about to be deceived. Or at the very least, an attempt to deceive them is in the works.

There is a first step. A 7 day “reduction” in violence. Not a 7 day “cease fire.” Such would be impossible to achieve. So merely a 7 day “reduction.”

If the “reduction” is successful, no later than February 29 a Peace Agreement will be signed by the Taliban and the U.S.

In the 24 hours following the announcement, the Taliban are talking “withdrawal of all foreign forces.” The U.S. a “reduction” of troops from 12,000-13,000 to 8,600.

The two sides are not even in accord on the first step leading to a Peace Agreement.

Also, I do not understand how the Taliban alone can make a peace agreement binding on Afghanistan. Though in power at the moment, there are many factions/tribes who are anti-Taliban and will not be part of any Peace Agreement.

I am not sure where al-Qaeda stands, but it still is a viable though significantly weakened force.

I close with a question. Will our government survive till election day with Trump leading in the fashion he has been?

Trump is moving fast making all kinds of changes he wants. Most radical. Neither U.S. nor democratic in nature.

The election is less than 8 months away. A lifetime!

Trump’s most recent error is his appointment of his loyal friend Richard Grenell as Acting Director of National Intelligence. Grenell has neither the intelligence nor experience to have such a sensitive and important position.

He is merely a “shill” for the President. One of many.

Enjoy your day!

I was at Lisa’s sunday. Noticed grandson Robert had gotten taller. Taller than me. By about 2 inches.

Robert said he had gotten taller. He was now 5′ 11″. I said can’t be. I am 6’1″.

Lisa interjected that I was not. I had shrunk. No way, I thought.

During my doctor visit yesterday, I asked that my height be checked. It was 5′ 9″.

I had lost 4″.

Never knew.

We wear shorts in Key West. I have been here full time since 2003. Probably wore jeans 3-4 times when it was cold. Never noticed the pants were a bit baggier and longer.

The loss makes sense. My Dad died at 98. He shrunk a lot in his last 10 years. My grandfather died at 94. He shrunk big time, too. My Aunt Marry died at 102. She really shrunk! In her last years when she sat at the table for dinner, she was chin high.

My time!

My day was busy. Left the house at 10:30. Did not return till 4. Exhausted! Glad I had decided to skip Aqua Idol.

I watched Syracuse/Louisville at 7. The first half sort of good. Syracuse down 7 at halftime. Louisville won. The final score 90-66. Syracuse lost it in the second half. Defense terrible.

No question in my mind, Syracuse will not make the NCAA tournament. We will be second class citizens and play in the NIT.

If no one goes pro, the team will be a definite competitor next year. Need a big guy, however. Boeheim better get over to East Slobovia and find one.

The Democratic Debate at 9.

The best yet.

No question practice makes perfect. Five of the 6 were “debaters.” A far cry from when they began. The only one not ready for a debate was Bloomberg. His first time in the process last night.

Don’t eliminate him. He’ll have the best debate trainers over the next 2 weeks. Money can do wonders.

The TV pundit consensus seems to think Warren was the “winner.” I disagree. As the process continues, she gets tougher. Needed to come back in the rankings. I do not like the woman tough. Mean, whether male or female, turns me off.

Biden looked the best. He has come a long way in the debates. Looked Presidential. He should. His life time of political experience makes him knowledgeable. It was evident.

Mayor Pete continues to look good.

It was fight night in Vegas!

Bloomberg got savaged. Sanders’ socialist leanings became more and more evident. The American people do not want a socialist for President. If Sanders is the nominee, Trump will be President again.

Hard Rock Cafe is at 313 Duval street. This morning’s KONK E-Blast has a photo of Hard Rock’s building when it was constructed in 1900. The Key West Elks Club was first to occupy the building.

The building basically looks the same today as it did in 1900.

Lets talk pardons for a moment.

Roger Stone is to be sentenced today. When will he be pardoned? Soon, I expect.

Pardons fall under the general classification of Clemency. Commutations included.

Trump has granted less than 30. So far!

Obama on the other hand, 1,927. The breakdown 212 Pardons and 1,715 Commutations.

A record! The most in 64 years.

Why so many? Obama’s thought process no where similar to Trump’s. The reason lies in Obama’s wise and understanding nature.

Total requests for Clemency during Obama’s years were 36,544. A huge number! Nowhere close to that figure ever.

Therein lies the reason for the large number of Obama granted Clemencies. Obama decided that the prison terms for non-violent federal inmates convicted of drug crimes should be reduced. Plain and simple. Consistent with even today’s thinking.

I spell out the number and why because already yesterday some were demonizing Obama for his large number. He was not granting Clemency to friends or friends of friends. He had a valid public interest in mind.

If we believe Trump, the economy is the best ever. I continue to say not so. Various businesses/industries are suffering. Take a look at the shipping/freight lines.

U.S. shipping volume dropped 9.4 percent in January. The steepest one month drop since 2009.

In December, the Celadon Group filed for bankruptcy. The largest truckload carrier to ever do so. Three thousand drivers and 2,700 trailers.

In January, the barge operator American Commercial lines filed for bankruptcy. Three thousand five hundred barges.

Also in January, 2 of the largest U.S. railroads, CSX and Union Pacific, reported terrible dropping revenues and massive layoffs.

The 9.4 percent figure covers only the U.S.

Coronavirus is definitely adversely affecting shipping. China’s factory and supply chain numbers not included in the 9.4 percentage. When received, the January figures will be adjusted. The overall percentage will be even worse.

Trump must know these things. Why does he not share them with the American public?

The following was reported by CBS News yesterday.

Israel has the Law of Return. Any Jew for any reason can come to Israel and automatically attain Israeli citizenship. The adoption of the law understandable. Never again was a Jew fleeing oppression to have no place to go. World War II before and during had proven the need for such a law.

The law today is being exploited. Jewish American pedophiles avoid justice by fleeing to Israel. There have been a significant number over the years.

An example is Jeffrey Epstein’s alleged partner in crime Ghislaine Maxwell. She is reported to be hiding in a “safe house” in Israel.

One of the most memorable and moving art edifices is the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. It was opened this day in 1872.

My law work brought me to New York frequently. Each visit I tried to save an hour of two for Louis. Time I would spend at the Metropolitan. I was in love with everything it held, especially the art. The gallery featuring the works of the impressionists a place I used to sit and ponder.

Rodin was a sculptor. One of his most famous works is the Gates of Hell. Housed in a Paris museum. However at one point in time it was permitted to be exhibited at the Metropolitan.

Moving!

A scene from Dante’s Inferno. Two large doors. People trying to escape the pain of Hell. One hundred eighty such figures.

I must have visited the exhibit at least 6 times. Surrounded by benches, I would sit and look. Not move. Merely view. Taken by what was before me.

The people fighting to get out were tiny. Yet pain and suffering visible on each of their faces.

A master’s work.

Enjoy your day!

Trump exercised his pardon power yesterday. By so doing, Trump was being authoritarian. He wanted the world to know that all actions, good and bad, harsh and generous, come from a single person. Donald.

Pardons are sort of a “creeping” authoritarianism. Trump wanted to show himself as a “benevolent leader.”

Only one of those pardoned was presently in jail. Former Illinois Governor Blogojevich. Several years of his sentence remained.

I am not going to spell out all pardoned or had their sentences commuted, nor what they had been charged with. The media for the past 24 hours has been replete with that information. I merely want to share my thoughts re the pardons.

The pardons represent Trump rewarding friends and friends’ friends. There is an undertone. Punishment. He who can reward can also punish.

Chilling.

Washington Post columnist Eugene Robinson wrote, “Instead of draining the swamp, Trump has decided to pardon it.”

To pardon less than honorable individuals is the restocking of the swamp. Think about it.

I saw a cartoon of Trump this morning. Blazoned across his photo was: “Do the crime, I’ll release the time.”

I titled today’s blog Practice Pardons. A specific reason therefore. It appears to me that by making the pardons,  Trump was practicing for the “big game.” Pardoning Flynn, Manafort, Stone, and Giuliani.

Bernie Sanders picked up a bad Trump trait. Sanders announced he was not going to produce all his medical records. Leaves one thinking what might be wrong. He is 78 and had a heart attack several weeks ago. Reasons enough for full disclosure.

One problem after another. Such appears to be the case with Boeing’s 737 MAX.

The plane was grounded world wide a year ago because of 2 crashes. In the meantime, Boeing has continued manufacturing new 737’s. Holding the new ones in storage while awaiting delivery to various airlines.

It was announced yesterday debris had been found in the fuel tanks of some of the planes in storage.

China really clobbered with the coronavirus. Where the epidemic began.

It was reported over the weekend that China has placed half its population in some form of lock down. Seven hundred sixty million people.

Most living today knew Mr. Rogers.

His show “Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood” made its debut February 18, 1968. Enjoyed a 31 year run.

Last night my blog talk radio show Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. Did a different type show. Tried to stay away from things Trump. Except for 3 minor mentions was able to do so.

The reason I wanted to do a non-Trump show was because all we hear from the media is Trump, Trump, Trump. Understandable. He is all over the place every day. His actions generally newsworthy.

Creates a problem. We never get to hear about the other things going on in the world. My intent was to share some other events that might be of interest.

Busy day today. Can’t get it all in. Will have to pick and choose.

My day starts with an 11  with my annual physical.

Following which I will be making stops at Publix and the laundry.

Early tonight, Aqua Idol at 6. Followed by Syracuse/Louisville at 8. Then the Democratic Debate at 9.

Can’t get all the evening in. I have decided to skip Aqua Idol. Lynda, don’t be upset. Eliminating Aqua Idol means I do not have to leave my home in the evening. The game and debate on TV.

However, even if I opt out of Aqua Idol, does not mean you should. A great weekly event this time of year. Six o’clock at Aqua. A fundraiser for the Waterhouse Playhouse. Lynda Frechette does wonders in putting the show together each week.

Saturday a good day to take an organized walk through the Historic Key West Cemetery. Guided walks scheduled for 3 different times in the morning.

The stones are terrific! Especially the one saying “I told you I was sick.”

Tino! Another photo of Tino following his Award for Best Extra sunday evening. He is on the telephone with Oscar in hand.

How things have changed!

On this day in 1902, Key West’s Board of Education requested the resignation of Sarah Ann Roberts. Sarah had recently married. Apparently married women could not teach.

Sarah wanted to finish out the school year. The Board denied her request.

You’ve come a long way ladies!

Enjoy your day!

Ten days ago I started featuring former Key West snowbird Tino Gonzalez daily with an “extra” acting photo and brief commentary. Jokingly, I mentioned on 2 occasions that some day Tino would win an Oscar for his “extra” performances.

Lo and behold, he has! I was not aware such were even available for extras.

The Awards for extras a first time event. Held Sunday night in Chicago. Tino won an Oscar for Best Background Actor in the Best Group Scene Category.

Two photos posted today. One of Tino on stage accepting the Oscar. The Oscar in Tino’s left hand.

The other, Tino with a group of others in a scene from the show for which the award was presented. It is from the TV series Shameless which stars the well known Hollywood actor William Macy. Macy is in the forefront of the photo in a pink jacket with his backside appearing. Tino is the first in line on the left of those facing the camera.

Go Tino! Today an Oscar for an extra part. Tomorrow for a talking part!

Willie Nelson performed last night in Key West at the Amphitheater.

I did not attend. Feel badly. When the tickets first became available a couple of months ago, I was on the Internet within seconds of their going on sale. Best seats $55. None were available. Less than one minute and all gone. Scalpers.

New prices like $400-$600. Love Willie Nelson, but not that much. So I missed out.

Did go out last night, however.

First, Dueling Bartenders. Rick Dery and Heather performing. Great singing! Cost me the price of a drink.

Mary was there. We had dinner together afterwards at Antonia’s. Nicolle bartending. Been cheating a bit on her diet. Gained a pound. She’s back on.

Watched the second part of the Washington miniseries at home later in the evening.

I was a history major in college. Love history! Washington not moving me. I am learning some things I did not know. However the show itself moves too slowly. Actually, boring. Sad because I am sure a ton of money went into making it.

President Franklin Roosevelt was in Key West this day in 1939. Arrived 3 pm. Driven down by car on what was then called the Over-Seas Highway from Miami.

While in Key West, he inspected the inactive Naval Station facilities. Following which he boarded the USS Houston which sailed for the Caribbean to take part in war games.

A photo appeared with the Citizen article. Roosevelt was seated in the back seat of a convertible. Attired in suit and tie. Hat in hand. Top down on the convertible at the time the photo was taken.

I could not help but think what a horrible trip it had to me on the ride from Miami. Whether top up or down. Even with windows open. Hot heat! No air conditioning back in those days.

The Key West Citizen is running 2 diaries at the same time. Written in the 1800’s.

I have been commenting on May Johnson’s. A 19 year old Key West school teacher in 1896. Her activities more interesting than William R. Hackley’s. Hackley was a government attorney residing in Key West in 1855.

This is Hackley’s day, however. For the first time, his diary entry contains a more interesting comment than any in May’s.

Hackley wrote that on this day in 1855, he “bathed about noon the first time for some days.”

Whew! Had to smell good. How could anyone go days without bathing. Key West days in 1855 had to be as warm and humid as now.

We live and learn. We are all aware of the atrocities the Nazis committed. Turns out I was unaware of one.

On this day in 1943, the Nazis arrested 2 White Rose resistance leaders. White Rose was a youth group opposed to Hitler’s regime. Mostly university medical students. They secretly printed an anti-Nazi newspaper.

They were tried before Hitler’s “People’s Court” and sentenced to death.

I was under the impression that civilians caught under such circumstances were shot, hung, or nailed to crosses. There was one other means of execution. One saved for “political traitors.”

Beheading.

As one of the White Rose members was about to be beheaded, he shouted “Long live freedom!”

Child sexual abuse has been significant in the last 50-80 years. Especially with young males. Pedophilia has been rampant in the Catholic Church.

Turns out the Catholic Church’s wrongdoing is insignificant when compared to that which has gone on within the Boy Scouts.

The Boy Scouts filed for bankruptcy yesterday. Hundreds of sexual abuse cases pending before them. Too much too bear.

A 5 year study of the Boy Scout problem indicated 12,254 victims. Sexually brutalized by 7,800 leaders. All taking place in the past 72 years.

An attorney representing some of the abused boys said, “The scope of the carnage is stunning.”

Amazing.

If not the Catholic Church or Boy Scouts, where are our young lads safe?

Donald keeps telling us the economy is good. And that he made it so.

When one speaks of the economy, it has to be viewed from a world wide perspective. What happens in China affects us in the U.S., for example.

The British headquartered HSBC bank announced it plans to cut 35,000 jobs  over the next 3 years in a deep overhaul. HSBC claims it is having trouble coping with a slew of global uncertainties from Brexit to trade wars to the new coronavirus.

HSBC is a major bank world wide. The fact the need to cut has arisen is an indication that the economy is not good. HSBC appears to be reacting before the problem hits big time.

Trump deludes himself when he tells himself and the people of the U.S. the economy is the best ever. He fails to understand the stock market is not the sole indicator of a solid economy. Especially when more than 80 percent of the monies invested in the market are those of the top 10 percent.

An unusual day today as far as the federal judicial system is concerned. The Federal Judges Association is conducting an emergency meeting. A rarity. Might even be the first time.

The primary issue is the deepening crisis that has enveloped the Justice Department and Attorney General William Barr. Two problems. The first, the Barr/Trump/Roger Stone sentencing. The second, Trump’s comments re Manafort.

In addition to the federal judges, another group is protesting. Its concern directed to the Stone sentencing, also. More than 2,000 former Justice Department officials have called on Barr to resign. They believe Barr’s handling of the Stone case “openly and repeatedly flouted” the principle of equal justice.

Tonight, Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. My blog talk radio show. Nine my time.

Join me. This has been a busy week. I will have much to rant and rave about. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou.

Enjoy your day!

Boris Johnson is Great Britain’s new Prime Minister. A friend of Trump. Actually both are fond of each other. Birds of a feather in their ways of thinking.

Dominic Cummings is Chief Special Adviser to the Prime Minister. He has been advising Johnson re persons for  high profile appointment. He said he would stock the offices with “misfits and weirdos.”

Cummings is a man of his word.

Andrew Sabisky has been appointed Adviser to Johnson. He is 27.

Sabisky advocates eugenics, mandatory contraception, and giving children mind altering drugs.

His motivation behind eugenics is that such would help breed a “good class of people.” Mandatory contraception would assist in stopping the creation of a “permanent underclass.”

The use of mind altering drugs on children is to improve their mentalities and make them acceptable to government teachings. Sabisky recognized that the use of such drugs might cause the death of one child a year. His opinion, “Worth a dead child” once a year.

Sabisky also has a problem with the ladies. As to the female gender, “Women’s sport is more comparable to the Paralympics than it is to men’s.”

Stopped by Lisa’s yesterday afternoon to have my new cane adjusted. It was 2 inches too long. Most canes are sold with the understanding that the purchaser might have to shorten the cane.

Corey did it for me. Not easy.

Now I have 2 canes. A metal one and a wood one.

I suspect I will purchase 1 or 2 more. Different styles. To wear with different attire or in attending different events.

The cane has become a mainstay in my life. I should have begun using one 2 years ago. I fought it! From my perspective, a concession to old age.

So I continued falling.

I finally gave in. Better the cane than a fractured hip or skull.

I have been religiously using the cane for 2 months. Love it! Sorry I did not begin earlier. I have not had one occasion of even a sense I was going to fall.

The cane is my new best friend.

Decided to skip Hot Dog Church and the Gardens. Went home.

Last night I watched the new Washington mini series on TV. I love history! Not sure yet how enamored I am with the series. I will know better after I have viewed the next 2 parts.

Washington’s history up to the Revolution interesting. I learned things I did not know. It may be the mode of presentation that I dislike. Slow and boring.

Tourist frequently visit the Key West Aquarium. Especially those with children. One of the features is a small round pool containing small sea urchins. Like star fish and small alligators. The children are permitted to touch. In certain instances, remove from the pool and hold.

Robert and Ally were thrilled each time they attended in their younger days.

Today is the Aquarium’s birthday. Eighty five years old. It was on this day in 1935 the Aquarium was opened.

May Johnson’s diary entry for February 17, 1896 interesting.

As to dentistry, shows how improved procedures have become.

I can recall my first visit to the dentist. I was probably 4 years old. The dentist hurt me! I jumped out of the chair and ran out of the building. Refused to go back!

Pain was part of the process in 1896 also. May went to the dentist. She had 4 teeth filled and was to return in a few days to have another done.

May’s comments” “Horrors. How it did hurt. It really killed me.”

So it was.

The pain apparently went away or subsided. May went to La Brisa in the evening. She danced every dance with numerous young men. Miguel not mentioned, however.

Tino wrote he worked only 2 days last week. Big hours! Fifteen one day, 12 the other.

Note Tino gets paid for every hour he sits and waits and does nothing. Not a bad deal.

No photo today. There will be 2 tomorrow. And a surprise.

Police and child sexual abuse quite common. Not knocking the men in blue. Merely stating a fact.

Last wednesday, a Louisiana State Police Trooper was arrested. The charges involved producing child porn and distributing it to his own network.

The officer is Jason Boyet. An 18 year veteran.

The pain of it all: Boyet was Louisiana State Trooper of the Year in 2018.

Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell appeared before Congress last wednesday. He basically admitted the economy was in a bad way. Described by some as “screwed.”

Powell advised low interest rates were baked into the U.S. fabric. They cannot be lowered or raised if a problem occurs. Raising interest rates would topple the economy. The government would be forced instead to print more money. A bad move in itself.

Present economic conditions have been created by the banking industry since the recession of 2008.

The banks again!

The repo market is in full use. Healthy only for a short time, however.

Since June, central bank has been purchasing short term Treasuries and mortgage backed securities to save the overnight repo market from imminent doom. The size of the repo generations has exploded since the start of 2020.

All a clear indication that something is wrong with the financial system.

Smaller banks are in the worse trouble.

The market may be booming. The economy is not. I am not an economist. However as I have been saying for more than a year, bad days are ahead.

The U.S. Supreme Court in 1964 decided Wesberry v. Sanders. The decision held Congressional districts within each state had to be roughly equal in population.

In spite of the decision, the unfairness problem continues to exist. Gerrymandering and outright fraud the reasons.

Election fraud is an issue in this year’s Presidential election.

Do not forget Aqua Idol wednesday night. At Aqua, of course. Lynda Frechette’s baby for 14 years. A major fundraiser for Waterfront Playhouse. A fun time. Don’t miss it.

Tonight for sure, Dueling Bartenders. Followed by dinner somewhere.

Enjoy your day!

England and Ireland are getting the hell  knocked out of them. And the worst is yet to come!

Dennis is an Atlantic cyclone. A non-tropical hurricane. It is heading for England and Ireland. Landfall will be a disaster.

Irma was bad. High hurricane winds in certain parts of the lower keys. Homes in the ocean, boats on the highways, flooding.

Wilma is best known for its flooding. The water arrived 1/2 hour after Wilma passed by. Lisa’s home had 6 feet of water.

Dennis has already been reported as one of the 5 strongest non-tropical cyclones of record. Waves in the ocean on their way to shore presently in excess of 100 feet. Accompanied by hurricane winds.

England and Ireland experienced heavy rains last week. Dennis will bring more. The waves will contribute heavily. Flooding an obvious problem. The English and Irish are getting ready. Flood barriers being built up and down their respective coasts.

Dorothy Downs is a lovely woman. I have known her and her husband for years. She is better known as Dot.

Dot’s husband passed on several years ago. Dot is getting on in her years. My Contemporary. She is 82.

I had not heard from her in a year. She lives in Miami. Thought she might have left us. She contacted me last week. I was close. She had a stroke in June from which she has made a relatively good recovery.

We met friday night at the Chart Room. Her friend and care taker Carmen was with her.

Dot has spent her life involved with art and art galleries. Writing, also. She is very knowledgeable re the Seminole and Miccosukee Indian tribes. She has written several books re their art.

We had dinner afterwards at Outback.

Dot gave me a signed copy of her recently published book: Her Soldier of the Queen. A different topic for her. Love and war. I have just begun reading it. I could tell by the end of the first page it will be exciting.

Even more exciting was the time I spent with Dot and Carmen friday evening.

Watched Syracuse/Florida State yesterday afternoon. Florida State having an exceptional year. The game was close. Either team could have won. The lead kept changing hands in the last 2 minutes. Florida State won by 3 points.

A difference in the game was rebounding. Florida State out rebounded Syracuse 47-29.

I anticipate my day today will be a visit to Lisa’s, Hot Dog Church, and Kate Miano’s Gardens.

When I first began exhibiting Tino’s photos, I explained why. Some of you may have missed the explanation.

Tino and his wife Maria are from Chicago. They bought a home in Key West and were snowbirds till several years when they sold it. They wanted to be close to their children and grandchildren all year.  Except for the 2 weeks each year during the season now when they return to visit their Key West friends.

The two were loved by everyone.

Tino and Marie played bocce. Both good. Tino became an artist. Good, also. Tino even became a musician of sorts and bandleader. He had gigs around the island.

Tino’s “musical instrument” was a washboard. He strummed it like a guitar.

Tino is 77. He now works as an extra in TV shows and movies. In demand. I suspect it is his face. He has become successful as an extra.

The job pays well, also. Even though Tino has no need for the money.

Today’s photo of Tino shows him at acting school. A for real experience. Tino is taking acting lessons in the event he moves up from being an extra to having small talking parts.

I admire seniors who get up and do something every day. As an old guy myself, I know the alternative would be laying in bed all day or watching TV all day. Worst of all , it could be sitting in a wheel chair in a corner of a room in a nursing home with my tongue hanging out.

That is why I write and do talk shows. That is why Tino is into acting.

I admire those our age who get out of bed early every morning and move their asses!

New York’s Governor Cuomo and Trump met in the White House this week. Trump is leaning on New York. I think he is doing it to get even with Cuomo and New York for a number of reasons, none of which have anything to do with what was being discussed.

I am confident one if the issues involved had to do with ICE and BORTAC seeking out and arresting illegal immigrants. New York is a sanctuary city.

It was announced following the meeting that nothing had been resolved. It appeared the parties intend to keep talking.

Trump will have his hands full with Cuomo if he tries to overpower him. Cuomo will beat him to a pulp.

Los Angeles is another city the Border Patrol’s SWAT team BORTAC will be sent to in order to assist ICE. The Los Angeles County Sheriff announced such would be an “irresponsible deployment.”

BORTAC is wrong. Trump is playing with fire. People can be injured. Not the way to run a government.

Climate change / global warming constant issues today. One area of special concern is the Antarctica.

On this day in 1840, American Charles Wilkes discovered the Shackleton Ice Shelf. It is part of Antarctica.

Climate change and global warming are affecting it. Melting the ice. Increasing water levels further north. Endangering even our Key West coast lines.

A Summary Study was published in 2018. Ice is measured in gigatons. A gigaton is a unit of explosive force equal to 1 billion tons of TNT.

The Study revealed that between 1992 and 2002, the average total ice loss was 43 gigatons per year.

The average increased dramatically in recent years. From 2012 to 2017, the average total ice loss was 220 gigatons per year.

The numbers speak for themselves.

Enjoy your Sunday!

We live in perilous times. The statement cannot be disputed. Internationally and nationally. My concern today is what may occur on the streets of our major cities.

Trump has not made the immigration problem better. His actions have resulted in untold human abuse and billions of wasted dollars.

People in general have a better grasp on right and wrong these days than our elected leaders.

Sanctuary cities have become common place in many areas. Places where the people have drawn a line and said by their actions…..no more, not here.

Trump dislikes sanctuary cities. Such have limited his ability to remove immigrants from their homes and throw them out of the U.S.

I have written often of the potential dangers ICE presents. They are a group responsible for arresting illegal immigrants and exporting them. I fear they are the Gestapo of yesteryear. Under Trump, ICE has increased in power. Federal dollars have been forthcoming to increase their strength.

ICE has not been successful in capturing illegal immigrants in sanctuary cities. To the frustration of all concerned at the federal level. The Trump administration has come up with what it believes is the solution.

More guns on the ground!

The New York Times in a special article yesterday warned of a secret operation underway. If correct, it scares the hell out of me! And should you, also!

What follows is what the Times reported.

The U.S. Border Patrol has what is described as an agent. The U.S. Border Patrol Tactical Unit. Known as BORTAC.

The Trump administration plans to deploy BORTAC from the southern border to assist ICE. Its function will be to assist ICE as part of a supercharged arrest operation in sanctuary cities across the country.

An escalation in the President’s battle against localities that refuse to participate in immigration enforcement.

Major cities including New York and Chicago are involved. Trump’s people believe the BORTAC deployment will boost ICE enforcement.

One hundred BORTAC officers will be the first to be deployed. A spokesman for Custom Border and Protection said their assistance to ICE in conducting arrests in the interior of cities will “enhance the integrity of the immigration system, protect public safety, and strengthen our national security.”

The deployment will take place between February and May.

BORTAC is an elite tactical unit. Acts essentially as the SWAT team of the Border Patrol. Its equipment includes stun grenades and military vehicles. Their attire war like. They receive Special Forces type training, including sniper certification.

The high type specially trained force will be asked to support ICE in its run of the mill immigration arrests.

Note that local police do not send a SWAT team to make an arrest for a relatively minor offense. Yet the federal government will when BORTAC is sent in to assist ICE.

It is intended that BORTAC will merely beef up ICE agents. Act as a show of force. Nothing more. Such does not mean things will not get out of hand and suddenly BORTAC is busting down doors or engaging in shootouts. It only takes a spark to cause a major forest fire.

What happens if things get out of hand even in the slightest? Warfare in the streets between people and ICE and BORTAC? Or, State and local police authorities standing against ICE and BORTAC?

I cannot believe for example that New York’s Governor Cuomo and New York City’s Mayor de Blasio will sit idly by when BORTAC arrives on their streets. Suddenly, State and City military and police authorities will be in a confrontation with the federal government.

Note that what I am talking about is militarization of our streets. BORTAC will come in like the military force they actually are. People will become upset. Inflamed a better word. The seed of open conflict.

Visualize what I am suggesting. ICE/BORTAC coming into a neighborhood could at some point be similar to Nazi troops and vehicles coming into what previously was a peaceful city.

This is the United States. Such should never occur here.

We are losing our democracy. We are losing our way.

Enjoy your day!

Amazing the path life experiences take us.

Valentine’s Day, for example.

Born of pure unadulterated sex. The ancient Roman festival Lupercalia. Pagan fertility rites and the pairing off of women by lottery.

At the end of the fifth century, Pope Gelasius I replaced Lupercalia with St. Valentine’s Day.

The poet Chaucer in the Middle Ages was the first to link St. Valentine with romantic love.

Today, lovers express their affection with greetings and gifts.

I recall vividly my early grammar school years. St. Valentine’s Day was a big deal! We exchanged little love cards and candy. It was exciting. I can recall sitting at the kitchen table the night before deciding which of my female class mates would receive a card from me. Wondering whether each would give me a card the next day.

A day dedicated to love! Making your special one feel even more valued.

A few love lines remembered by all. Aristotle’s…..Love is composed of a single soul inhabiting two bodies. Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s…..How do I love thee, let me count the ways.

In researching this morning, I came across an extremely sensitive  love statement. Surprisingly spoken by Judy Garland…..For it was not into my ear you whispered, but into my heart. It was not my lips you kissed, but my soul.

The face of Tino.

Tino is an interesting person. Seventy seven, still active, and earning money. An art photographer saw Tino while he was performing as an extra. He asked to take Tino’s picture. A black and white photo solely of Tino’s face.

The photographer advised Tino he would be showing the photo shortly in an exhibition. I can understand why. The photo reflects character and strength. It can be said to touch one’s soul.

My yesterday began with haircut time. As always, Lori most enjoyable. She looks fine. A few months ago she had to take 2 months off. She was sick. Appears to have fully recovered.

While Lori was cutting my hair, I noticed a young boy having his hair cut on the opposite side of the room. I could only see the back of his head. He was relatively short, his hair blond and short also. A boy’s haircut.

Seemed like the hairdresser was working on the young man forever. A haircut is a haircut!

I asked Lori why the haircut was of the young boy was taking so long. She quietly laughed and said it was no boy, a woman! In fact, a mother. Her little girl was standing to her front.

When I was leaving, I could see the “young boy’s” face. Absolutely beautiful!

Then to Harpoon Harry’s for lunch. Chatted with some locals.

The cupboard was bare and so it was off to Publix for groceries.

I do not take the cane into Publix when shopping. The cart is more than enough support.

About one third through my shopping, I suddenly became tired. Extremely so. Thought I was going to pass out. Left the cart in the middle of the aisle and walked out of the store.

Sat in my car a while. Though still a bit groggy, started for home. I figured my car was like a horse of old and could find its way home.

Laid down for a while. Remained exhausted.

Dorothy Downs is an old friend. I was to meet her at 6:30 at the Chart Room.

Dorothy is an author. Her husband of many years died 2 years ago. She lives in the Miami/Fort Lauderdale area. She retains the Key West home she and her husband had, also.

She had called in the morning to say she had written another book and wanted to know if I would read the transcript. The book not published as yet. I agreed.

Dorothy has written 3 previous novels. Art of the Florida Seminole and Miccosukee Indians, Patchwork: Seminole and Miccosukee Art and Activities, and Canoe Back in Time.

She inferred the transcript she wanted me to read was different from her prior works.

It was 4 o’clock and I continued to be exhausted. Called Dorothy and begged off our meeting for last night. It has been rescheduled for this evening.

I continued to be tired and slept off and on till 9 in the evening. Have no idea why I was so tired.

I think this good living might be too much for me!

The great whites are getting bigger! Climate change?

A 20 footer was seen a mile off shore from the Breakers in 55 feet of water. Eleven scuba divers were in the water at the time. They spotted the great white beneath them.

All reported how excited they were. None spoke of fear.

Barr’s rebuke tweet of Trump yesterday interesting. A stunning surprise. The two were and perhaps still are attached.

Questions arise. Was the tweet merely to cover Barr’s ass professionally? Was Trump aware it was coming? If Barr should be gone, can Trump function without an Attorney-General who does his bidding all the time? Was the tweet an act of insubordination?

Finally, many who were close to Trump have eventually left or been fired. Is Barr on his way out?

Trump lies in an unending fashion. Were he Pinocchio, his nose would have fallen off by this time caused by the sheer weight of the lies.

In November, Trump denied sending Giuliani to the Ukraine to discover damage information re Biden. Yesterday, he admitted he did while being interviewed by Geraldo Rivera.

How does Trump keep track of his lies? Has he reached a point where he cannot remember what he said previously? Or is it that he is emboldened by his acquittal and doesn’t care?

Donald has a tough life in this regard.

“I knocked on Hell’s door.” The words of a recovered 21 year old coronavirus victim. He fortunately has recovered.

He resides in Wuhan where the epidemic began and is at its worst.

The young man also said, “I suffered from high fever and pains that tortured every part of my body…..I was coughing like l was going to die.”

Stay healthy!

Enjoy your day!