He was A MAN…..JOHN MC CAIN.

Oh, the humor of it all! On this day 160 years ago, a visitor to Key West wrote: “It will cost a fortune to live here, at least $100 per month for a family of 4 or 5. Eggs $1 per dozen, cabbage 6-8 cents per head, tomatoes 20-22. Beef and potatoes you cannot get.”

Modern science is wonderful! Man’s achievements amazing!

On November 22, 1910, the Key West Naval Station sent wireless messages to the Mare Island Naval Yard near San Francisco. Distance 3,880 miles. Every word between the operators distinctly read. Today, we press a button on our cell phones and are speaking voice to voice in seconds.

Discrimination 1942. On this day, the Florida State Board of Health’s mobile x-ray unit was at the Monroe County Courthouse grounds in Key West to screen for tuberculosis. White residents this date, Black residents the following.

Live and learn. Common phrases in Shakespeare’s plays which are part of American dialogue today: “A wild goose chase” – Romeo and Juliet, “For goodness sake” – Henry VIII, “One fell swoop” – Macbeth, “Mum’s the word” – Henry VI, Part II, “All that glitters is not gold” – The Merchant of Venice, “Eaten out of house and home” – Henry IV, Part II, “Knock, knock! Who’s there?” – Macbeth, “It’s Greek to me” – Julius Caesar.

Interesting and amazing!

There are more which are saved to another day and another blog.

Pro-Palestinian protestors forced Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade to stop. A group of 30 ran into the street and glued themselves to the parade pavement.

These Palestinian protests are getting crazier with each episode. Most have to be planned. Gluing one’s self to the street…..

Trump’s various threats made re his several litigations are too much. I wrote so a few months ago. I repeat it again. He’s literally getting away with everything short of murder. In some cases, might be encouraging the same. 

Enough is enough! 

A legal challenge has been filed against Macy’s alleging Macy maintains policies that perpetuate “illegal racial discrimination.” Such that denies career advancement to white straight men.

America First Legal is the party bringing the charge. It is a legal group led by Stephen Miller. You will recall he was a close adviser/intimate to Trump when he was Presidnet. He wrote most of Trump’s speeches. I compared him in those years to Hitler’s Joseph Goebbels.

Whether he is on the correct side of this issue, I do not know. His mere “association” with the claim makes it questionable in my eyes.

New House Speaker Mike Johnson’s views are becoming more apparent. He said letting people get abortions was causing “an American holocaust.”

Johnson has been Speaker approximately one month. In that time, his true inner nature has become evident. One observation he made is that humans are “inherently evil” and need to be “restrained” by the government.

I warned you this guy was bad news!

Robert and Ally telephoned me from Corey’s parents’ home in Cape Coral yesterday to wish me a Happy Thanksgiving Poppa! 

Love them!

Celebrated Thanksgiving with Don and Chris last night at La Te Da. We enjoyed a traditional Thanksgiving meal. Outstanding!

A good time with good people. Syracuse snowbirds I have come to know well over the last 20 years.

Syracuse finally won a basketball game in the Maui Invitational. Destroyed Chaminade yesterday 105-56. Don’t get excited. The score does not mean Syracuse is that good. Merely means Chaminade is that bad.

Two great evenings. Tom and Fran Dixon wednesday night, Don and Chris Teich last night. Tonight open. Any takers?

Enjoy your day!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Enjoy family, friends, food, and beverage.

Normally, a happy joyous occasion. However in recent years because of political aggravations has become a bit less harmonious at many tables.

Whatever, do your best not to argue. Instead merely enjoy. Nothing better than family, friends and a hearty meal!

Dinner last night at Brady’s with Tom and Fran Dixon. A good time as usual.

Short blog, long podcast today instead. Today’s is some 5 years old and was done during Trump’s Presidency. If it were to have a title, I might have labeled it God Is A Republican.

Enjoy the holiday!

Me thinks Donald Trump protestith too much. He reminded a crowd of Iowa voters over the weekend that he is “not into golden showers.” Purportedly in an attempt to rally Republicans to vote for him in the caucuses. Wonderful! Just what Iowa voters wanted to hear!

Why does Trump bring it up periodically? The “topic” goes back to June 2016 and what may have occurred in a Russian hotel suite in Moscow. The claim is he had prostitutes urinate on the bed. A bed that the Obamas had slept in. It is believed the Russians have a tape of the event. Now referred to as the “pee tape.”

Trump has mentioned the event several times over the years. Again, why? His repetitions would appear to give weight to the story.

Lord Action said: “Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” Though his observation is old in years, it applies to Trump today. He has power. Seeks more. Wants the absolute power a next Presidency will give him.

Lord Action’s words are well known. Referred to constantly. Little is known of Lord Action, however. He is described as “the magistrate of history.” One of the great personalities of the 19th century and is universally considered to have been the most learned Englishman of his time.

Big news!

Israel and Hamas have agreed to a brief cease fire and a hostage release.

The deal cannot be enacted till thursday at the earliest to allow time for judicial approval at the Israeli end.

The release is limited to 50 hostages. Women and children. A certain number of Palestinians will be released also.

The pause will be for four days. The deal as set forth is reportedly a “first phase.”

Christian nationalists recently partied at Mar-a-Lago and warned of God’s wrath if Trump lost again. The group believes their religious faith should have dominion over American government. They openly fantasized of returning to power and crushing their foes. God on the march!

Their plea simply to create a theocracy in the United States. Trump on their side.

The MAGA pastor Jim Garlow is one of the group’s leaders. He recently prayed with now House Speaker Mike Johnson to save a “depraved” America from the “judgment that we clearly deserve.”

Podcast time.

Today a sad day in American history. On this day in 1963, President John F. Kennedy was assassinated. Camelot came to an end.

Angela Merkel became Chancellor of Germany this day in 2005. She became one of the strongest forces in European politics over the next decade.

I recall an experience involving her on one of my Greece visits. I was in Athens staying at the Gran Britannia Hotel. Directly across the street was the Greek Parliament. A large building in the center surrounded by an even larger piece of land covered in concrete.

I woke to screams and yells. Went out on the balcony and saw thousands of people carrying signs and protesting in Greek about something. Whatever it was, I did not want to miss it first hand. Threw on some clothes and ran out to join the mob.

I understood nothing of the Greek language. As the saying goes, it was all Greek to me! One thing was clear however. These people hated Merkel. Every time a speaker mentioned her name, they spit.

Greece was suffering deep woes economically at the time and they were blaming it on Merkel. They were upset with the way she had handled and was handling Greece’s economic involvement in the European Union.

Syracuse lost again yesterday in the Maui Invitational in Hawaii. Gonzaga embarrassed Syracuse 76-57. Syracuse’s shooting, foul shooting included, sucked. Forget making 3 pointers. Syracuse could not find the basket.

A tough season ahead.

Enjoyed happy hour at The Grand yesterday with Steve and Cindy.

Tonight dinner at Brady’s Irish Pub with Tom and Fran. They have never been and want to see what excites me so much about the place.

Enjoy your day!

SMART Ride. An annual bicycle ride held once a year for 20 years has ended. Its last event this past weekend.

Not for a lack of success. The ride this past weekend raised $1,280,381. Over the 20 years, $15,000,000.

The ride from Miami to Key West. Covered two days. This past weekend, more than 500 cyclists participated. Its purpose when it began in 2003 and through this year was to raise money for HIV/AIDS victims. A significant observation is that 100 percent of the proceeds were distributed among HIV/AIDS service organizations throughout Florida.

SMART became the second largest AIDS bike ride in the country and the only one of its size to give back 100 percent.

If so successful, why is SMART ending? One reason is the number of participants involved is diminishing. Most participants are now older. With AIDS numbers dropping, younger persons are not joining the event. Another reason is the Director of SMART. He has been so involved for all of the 20 years. He would be difficult to replace. Ergo, the time had arrived for the event to conclude and conclude it did on a successful note.

A Charity Turkey Shoot was held this day in 1932 at Fort Zachary Taylor. One of those shooting well enough to be awarded a turkey was Ernest Hemingway.

The Rose Tattoo was filmed in 1954 in Key West. The movie was an adaptation of a Tennessee William’s play and starred Burt Lancaster and Anna Magnani. The house where most of the filming occurred is located on Duncan Street. One and a half blocks from Corey and Lisa’s home. 

Today in 1954 was the last day of the filming. Final scenes were shot at the then Mardi Gras Club on Duval Street.

Multiple sclerosis plagued Key West during this time in 1984. Twenty three cases. Medical researchers were puzzled why Key West had so many cases. On average, a town of Key West’s size should have had less than one.

Podcast time.

On this day in 1980, 87 people died in a fire at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas. I had been a guest there for 2 nights one week before.

Last night, the Chart Room with Tom and Fran Dixon. They are in Key West for a week. My dear snowbird friends for 15 years from Buffalo.

It was the first time I have been in the Chart Room in a year. I went last night because it was across the street from Ocean Key where the Dixons are staying and convenient for them.

One of the reasons I stopped going to the Chart Room was the exorbitant cost of drinks. Roughly $16 each. The three of us had 2 drinks each. The bill with tax exceeded $100. Ridiculous! It will be a long time before I return again.

There are two possible hurricanes developing. One in the Caribbean, the other in the Atlantic. Neither expected to affect Florida.

It was Syracuse/Tennessee in the Maui Invitational yesterday. Syracuse lost 73-56.

I could nor get the game on my TV. Watched the rolling score on my computer. Two hours sitting and waiting for the numbers to change.

Sport writers following the game reported Syracuse made only 35 percent of its shots and were out rebounded by 15.

I’ve gotten too old. I can only remember Syracuse’s golden days in basketball and football. Long gone in recent years.

Tonight happy hour with Steve Thompson at The Garden.

Enjoy your day! 

Syracuse fired Dino Babers yesterday. Though I hate seeing anyone fired, it was inevitable and necessary. He was not getting the job done. He had 8 long seasons and, with the exception of one, failed.

This season alone, he lost 6 of the last 7 games. Only 1 remaining. Assistant Coach Nunzio Campanile will take over as interim coach.

Babers contract buyout is reported to be significant. In 2022, it was $10 million. His annual salary $3 million. Syracuse made a business judgment and let Babers stay on following last season. A hell of a lot cheaper! Finally however, Syracuse’s central administration could wait no longer.

Politics these days attracts candidates with strange backgrounds. Courtney Casgraux is a 41 year old woman running for a Congressional seat in Oregon. A lovely erudite woman.

It has been revealed with photos, etc., that when she was in her 20s and 30s she worked as a Dominatrix in New York City charging $500 an hour.

She is remaining in the race. What her constituents have to say about it will be interesting.

Casgraux adopted as one of her campaign slogans following the revelation: WHIP inflation now.

Manchin says Biden has gone too far to the left. Claims he should have remained in the middle. Manchin says he is considering going after the “radical middle.”

Sounds to me like he is considering a third party run. 

Pure egotism. Could never win. Only hurt. Quite possibly permit a Trump victory.

Home prices have gone up nearly 40 percent in the past 3 years. Listings are down 20 percent. Interest rates are at a 20 year high.

All erodes buying power.

The UN says Gaza’s largest hospital Al-Shifa has become a “Death Zone.” Medical services have been shut down.

Remaining are 291 patients, including 32 babies. All in extremely critical condition. Thousands of patients and civilians who were sheltering at the hospital have left and fled south.

Yesterday was the reintroduction after years of the Key West Lou Podcast. I await your reactions.

My game plan is to run one a day. Some of the podcasts go back to 2015. The last around 2021.

I did the podcasts on Facebook. This blog is run on Word Press. The two not always compatible. Sloan has worked many hours to place the podcasts on the blog. Everything not possible, however. One problem are the pictures which appear at the end of the podcast. Cannot get rid of them. They must remain. Do not click on any of them. You will lose everything.

The way to handle the problem is when the end of the podcast is reached, merely scroll down and over the pictures till blog verbiage is reached. Then begin again.

A Princess Free Zone comment: “When a clown moves into a palace, the palace becomes a circus.”

Franz Schubert. A famous name in musical culture. An Austrian composer of the late Classical and early Romantic eras. His life short. Born 1797, died  yesterday’s date 1828. He and Beethoven were close friends. He served as a torch bearer at Beethoven’s funeral.

Schubert got syphilis. The treatment killed him, not the disease. In those days, it was treated with mercury.

One of Schubert’s best known works is the Ave Maria. He composed it in 1825 when he was 28 years old.

Rosalyn Carter died yesterday at the age of 96 at the Carter rural home in Plains, Georgia. She had been placed in hospice friday. She and her husband of 77 years Jimmy Carter shared their home for many of their years and hospice together at her end. The former Presidnet has been in hospice since February.

There is a saying that when two people have been close in life and one dies, the other passes soon thereafter to be with that person. It may happen with Presidnet Carter and would be both a blessing and a joy.

As first lady, Rosalyn Carter was active. Her husband respected her judgment and advise. He required her to sit in at all Cabinet meetings. She represented her husband at international meetings. Because of this and other activities as First Lady, Time Magazine called her the “second most powerful person in the United States.” The President referred to her as “an equal partner in everything I ever accomplished.” She influenced her husband throughout his public career and the many years following.

The two were as one. Truly so.

May they soon be again.

FSU’s star quarterback Jordan Travis was seriously injured in saturday’s 45-13 victory over North Alabama. He will be unable to play further this season.

Although 11-0, those who rank colleges are concerned the injury will affect FSU’s “quality of play” and are already drop ranking in some instances FSU from 4th to 5th or 6th.

Sucks!

FSU has earned the right to be one of the top 4 playing for the national title.

Robert wrote a striking piece following the game: “College Football Reacts to FSU Star Jordan Travis’ Shocking Injury.” Read on Nole GameDay. NoleGameday.com.

Syracuse/Tennessee basketball at the Maui Invitational in Hawaii today. Available on ESPN2 at 2:30 pm ET.

Tennessee is ranked #8 nationally. Syracuse unranked. Both 3-0. Tennessee a 14 point favorite.

Enjoy your day!

An addition to today’s blog. A Key West Lou podcast from yesteryear.

Preparing to move, I went through everything. Cleaned house so to speak. Not just drawers and closets. Even my computer.

Starting around 2015 and in addition to my daily blog, I began doing a daily podcast. Titled: What Bugs Me Today. There was a lot. Trump was running for Presidnet. I continued doing the podcast through Trump’s Presidency. That is not to say the blogs were all about Trump. There were enough problems in the world I talked about. Some even humorous.

I have in excess of 1,000 saved podcasts. 

I went through some. Modestly and with all due respect, they are good. Some excellent! I did not get rid of them. My intent is to share one a day with you as part of the blog. Your comments will quickly let me know if I should continue. I will run them for a few days to get your reaction.

Not realizing at the time they were made that someday I would reuse them, none are dated nor do I know the subject matter unless I listen to them first. Too much to so do. Ergo the game plan is I will release one at a time to you willy nilly. The interesting thing I discovered in those I did review is that most of yesterday’s problems are today’s also. So in a sense they are relevant. 

I did take the time to listen to the first one being shared today. It is about Afghanistan and heroin.

Just click on the red button in the middle.

My best friend died 34 years ago yesterday. My mother. Seventy five at the time. She was a diabetic who did not take care of herself.

I continue to miss her everyday. Love you, Mom!

Watched an old movie yesterday. All The King’s Men. Stared Broderick Crawford. He played Willie Stark. A take off on Huey Long.

The movie was a constant reminder of Donald Trump. Amazing! There was a Donald Trump before Donald Trump!

A major Key West problem is affordable housing. It is a national problem also. Something has to be done.

Key West’s success in attacking the problem has been negligible. Rents continue to go up. Key West provided housing has waiting lists 2-5 years long. Their rent levels off the wall. Expensive! A few dollars short in many instances of the market price for similar private housing.

Help is wanting. Nothing realistic being done to solve the problem. Lots of talk and little realistic solving of the problem.

Early dinner last night at Brady’s. Fish and chips. Ran into Barbara and Danny again.

These pro-Palestinian protests are getting out of hand. Too many, too large. I find it amazing how they developed so rapidly. At first I recognized the right to protest, demonstrate. Now I am beginning to wonder if there has been some organizational person or group financing, arranging, etc. the protests. Nothing to base my concern on. Merely a gut feeling.

The most recent protest in Sacramento halted a Democratic Convention meeting.

The cross I carry for Syracuse football is becoming oppressive. The team lost again last night. This time to Georgia Tech 31-22.

A strange game. Georgia was up 24-3. Syracuse made it 24-22. Ran out of scoring ability at that point, however.

Wish the season would end!

I  could sense the anticipated cold wave beginning last night. I should have worn a sweater when I went out.

Enjoy your Sunday!

The weather predictions for the coming week the worst.

The rain storm predicted for the coming holiday week has been expanded to include snow in some areas and has been described as a “super storm.” The weather report has further been expanded to include the whole country. Weather experts warn everyone to brace for “El Nino weather” to unleash SNOWMAGEDDON.

I doubt snow in Key West. Has it ever? The prediction for southern states is “wetter and colder.” The torrential rain predicted for the week could be an early sign of a climatic weather shake-up.

A power failure last night . The first in a long time. Around 6 pm. Lasted 40 minutes. Seven hundred forty three properties affected. Mine one, of course. No big deal. I was in bed watching TV. Turned over and tried to take a nap.

I haven’t seen George at Zip Auto on Stock Island in probably a year. Took my car in for a tune up, etc. No specific problem. Took all of a half hour.

George chastised me again. He always does because I do not drive the car enough. He claims and I believe him, cars are made to be driven. If you don’t, they slowly break down on their own. I have a 2010 Volkswagen Beatle convertible. Purchased new 13 years ago. Only 53,000 miles. From George’s perspective, I drive too little and accordingly hurt the car.

Archeologists have opened the tomb of Jesus for the first time in years. It lies beneath a Roman temple. The place where Jesus’ body was buried for 3 days after the crucifixion. 

Most, not all, believe the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem is the place of His burial. The Roman temple is beneath the Church.

In the fourth century, Emperor Constantine, a recent convert to Christianity, ordered Jesus’ tomb to be found. They located a 200 year old tomb built by Hadrian beneath the temple. The tomb was similar to the one described in the Bible and concluded it was the place where Jesus was buried for 3 days. They decided they had found the “site.”

The tomb was unsealed for the first time in centuries in 2016 for a very brief period.

The “site” is recognized as the “best guess” place  as to the tomb’s location.

Rosalyn Carter is in hospice care at home with her husband former President Jimmy Carter. She is 96. Amazing the two have survived so long and are able to spend their final days together. 

The Supreme Court’s new ethics code has been nailed with another description: Barely worth the paper it’s written on.

Ron DeSantis’ asshole approach to everything has caused his steady but sure decline. His taking on Mickey Mouse one example. Man v. Mouse a sure loser!

Bess Levin in a Vanity Fair 11/16 article mocked DeSantis’ foolhardiness: Ron DeSantis Says His Deranged Vendetta Against Disney Basically Saved America.

How?

DeSantis is a “Junior Trump.” He lies like him. In the final analysis, he believes the lies himself.

Maryan Zin  lives in Kiryat Ono, Israel. On October 7, her daughters Dafna 15 and Ela 8 were kidnapped by Hamas. They are being held hostage. She wants to be taken to Gaza to see them.

Her story is a short self-written Opinion piece in The Washington Post 11/17.

John F. Kennedy: “Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future.”

At 8:00 tonight, Syracuse/Georgia Tech football. Both teams appear equally matched with 5-5 records. Winner will be eligible for a bowl bid.

Read Robert Malcom’s article published yesterday in Nole Gameday: Braden Fiske Reflects on Win Over Miami and FSU Career Ahead of Senior Day. Fiske an offseason transfer who has climbed his way to a starting role on the defensive line and has become a major playmaker for FSU. NoleGameday.com.

Everything in Central Park in New York City is there by considered choice. Not by nature. The result of a design competition held in the 1850s. 

Interesting.

Enjoy your day!

Biden is doing a great job. Why do even many Democrats want him out?

I believe Biden has been one of our best Presidents.

Democrats are buying Republican bullshit. Republicans lie and repeat the lies. Too old, doing the worst job ever, etc. And Americans, including Democrats, begin believing it.

Wake up folks! Do you want an Adolph Hitler facsimile to be your next President?

Joe Manchin is playing with fire. He says there is “plenty of time” for him to launch a third party Presidential bid. Such could be detrimental for Joe Biden.

Manchin has always been a selfish-spoiler. He pushes coal and fossil fuels yet never responds to inquiries of the coal oil plant his son owns in West Virginia and from which he gets a cut of the profits each year. He also has played games politically since Biden became President because his one vote in the Senate was necessary to pass anything. He played the “game” well for his benefit and many times to the detriment of Biden and the American people.

Manchin has announced he is not running for reelection to his West Virginia Senate seat. The reason as everyone knows is because all indications are he is destined to lose. He is the sole major Democrat holding office in West Virginia which has gone solidly red.

Americans have a right to guns. How about to public peace and safety?

New House Speaker Johnson in an October broadcast interview expressed a discomfort with “queer youth.” Noting one in four students today were such, he said students today identify as “something other than straight.” He called this part of American culture “dark and depraved.” He claimed he was troubled that such American wickedness was inviting God’s wrath.

Anti-gay and forgetting there is supposed to be a separation between church and state in government.

The separation factor brings to light the flag Speaker Johnson has hung outside his office. Some liberals believe it represents Johnson’s Christian extremism. The flag is called the Pine Tree flag, better known as the “Appeal to Heaven” flag. Some say it “leads into a universe of right-wing religious extremism…..which in the past decade has come to symbolize a die-hard vision of hegemonically Christian America.”

Chris Christie predicts Trump will be a felon by the spring.

Grandson Robert Malcom has the lead article in Nole Gameday sports news re FSU. The article was published late yesterday afternoon: “North Carolina Head Coach Brent Dearmon Comments On The  Opportunity To Play Florida State.” In substance, Coach Dearmon wants his team to take advantage of the game and knock undefeated FSU off.

The article can be read at NoleGameday.com.

Dinner last night at Salute’s with Steve and Cindy Thompson. I have not been to Salute’s in years. Food excellent. I enjoyed lasagna. The view of the beach spectacular. The food and view a winning combination.

Baseball cards continue to have a value. Only ten 1914 Babe Ruth Rookie baseball cards survive. One is going up for auction. Bidding starts at $2.5 billion.

Syracuse/Georgia Tech football tomorrow. Both teams 5-5. Favorite a toss-up. One sports writer has Georgia Tech winning by 1 point. Another Syracuse by 6.5 points.

The game at 8 pm on the ACC Network.

The Tourist Development Council investigation is in its beginning stages. Based on news reports, I question whether the non-criminal investigation is being properly handled. The criminal investigation by State Attorney Ward is proceeding on a more reliable route. A proper formal one. The TDC is investigating itself. Not the way to go. Independent outside investigators the way. The only way.

I have always been impressed by how the Florida Keys Mosquito Control District protects us in Key West from the disgusting buggers. We are basically free from the problem in Key West and outside close areas. To appreciate how good a job is being done, go north of Key West where the Control District is not available. Some days, a virtual “wall” of mosquitoes. 

To assist in its endeavors, the Control District announced it has acquired its third helicopter to support with its aerial spraying.

Thanksgiving travel this coming week. Weatherman advises a Thanksgiving storm which will deluge parts of the U.S. with heavy rain. Bringing with it travel chaos.

The rain is expected over central and eastern U.S. Road and air travel will be disrupted.

The storm has been described as “significant.”

Word is Tuberville now wants “out” of the 9 month dilemma he finds himself in. However, he can find no face saving way to go. He has backed himself into a corner. He is embarrassed. One public figure said, “He’s dug in so far…..he can’t see the top.” He has no graceful exit.

The man made his bed and is now forced to sleep in it.

Tough roll of the dice, Tuberville. Your “position” is about to boomerang against you. You called the shot and now must pay the penalty.

A manicure with Tammy at noon today. Followed by a visit with George at Zip Auto. Car needs some work.

Enjoy your day!

Little is heard of the War of 1812. We have been lead to believe we won the War. We beat the hell out of the British in New Orleans in the War’s final battle. A victory that took place 6 weeks after the War had officially ended.

The alleged reason America became involved in the War with Great Britain, the false reason,  was to force the British to refrain from removing U.S. seamen from American ships to work and fight on British vessels. There was a second reason also. To force the Brits to lift restrictions on U.S. trade with Europe.

Both reasons basically hogwash. The U.S. started the War. The U.S. invaded Canada. The reason being then President Madison and his political cohorts believed it was the divine destiny of the U.S. to control all of North America. The intent was to make Canada part of the U.S. A land grab pure and simple.

Madison thought the Canadians would be joyed to be a part of the U.S. He was so wrong! They were inflamed! They had no desire to join their neighbor to the south.

When we hear of the War, it seems like the War was fought in Washington, D.C. and New Orleans. Rarely and only for a short time. The War lasted 3 years. Two of those were fought in the Niagara Falls area and a few in what then was the American northwest Indiana and Michigan. The War involved 3 major battles. Two in Canada in 1812 and 1813, one in the west in 1814. The U.S. fared poorly in each.

Historians who dare to delve into the War, view it much like Vietnam. Believe the U.S. lost the War. Some prefer to describe the outcome of the 3 battles as draws.

The British might have decisively defeated the U.S. were it not involved in a heavy war with France at the time. The troops Britain could send to Canada and the U.S. to engage in the War were limited. The British relied on Indian tribes to fight with them as allies. Indians for a number of reasons were unhappy with the U.S. Tribes joined together to assist Great Britain. Their leader was Tecumseh, a Shawnee. He was a skillful warrior and leader. Articulate. Well educated. He could dine with British generals and officers and their ladies comfortably. 

Tecumseh viewed Americans as wanting to eliminate Indian tribes everywhere in their quest for expansion. Of the six tribes making up the Iroquois Nation, 4 sided with Tecumseh and the Brits. Two with the Americans. Other tribes in large numbers joined Tecumseh and the Brits also.

When the war between Britain and France ended, the War of 1812 took a decisive turn. The Brits now had troops to send to the U.S. to fight. To wage the battle on American soil. Britain quietly sent 9,000 troops to invade Washington, D.C. They wanted to capture the American capital and end the conflict. They almost succeeded. It took less than one week for the Brits to land and reach Washington. The White House, Capitol and certain federal buildings were burned. Dolley Madison made her famous White House escape at the last minute taking Washington’s portrait with her.

The reason for Washington’s fall was twofold. Surprise one. The Americans never knew the British were coming. The other the American troops defending Washington. They were ill equipped and trained. They were militants and not actual members of American forces.

Having run over Washington, the Brits than moved on to Baltimore expecting similar success. They were fooled. Baltimore was defended by well trained U.S. military. The U.S. won the battle. Fort McHenry after three days of heavy attack still stood. The American flag proudly flying. The birth of the Star Spangled Banner.

The War moved to New Orleans. General Andrew Jackson in charge of the American defense. The Brits were decisively defeated. The irony of the whole thing is the War had officially ended six weeks earlier. It took that long for the information to reach New Orleans. However the victory made the U.S. look good. Contributed heavily to people believing the U.S. won the War.

The War’s conclusion has left history with we three final versions. A happy one for all involved. Americans “think” they won the War. The Canadians because they knew for real they had won and had avoided being swallowed by the U.S. The British because they forgot the whole thing. The conflict to them merely a fly on one’s sleeve.

The biggest losers were the Indians. Tecumseh was killed together with 7,500 Indians. The number though not large in itself represented a significant number of Indian warriors.

I cannot understand why Americans were not taught the U.S. was the aggressor and basically lost the War, except for Fort McHenry and New Orleans. We condemn history changing today yet did it with the War of 1812.

I went out last night. In between showers and circumventing some flooded streets. It was Brady’s for fish and chips.

An enjoyable evening. Always a pleasure to be in Carola’s company. Sat next to a charming couple at the bar. Danny and Barbara. Snowbirds. They are from Missouri. They have owned a home in Key West for years. Danny still working. He owns a company that deals with pharmaceuticals.

Enjoyed their company. Confident we will run into each other again.

A haircut with Lori later this morning. Tonight, Steve and I are going out. First time since his return from his 3 week European vacation. I am anxious to hear about it.

The Sound of Music premiered on Broadway this day in 1959. Mary Martin starring.

One year later in 1960 was my introduction to Broadway musicals. In a period of 2 months, I saw The Sound of Music, My Fair Lady, and Camelot. What a way to begin!

Enjoy your day!

What a game! What a night! From the depths of despair to the heights of surprising joy! Pure exhilaration!

Syracuse/Colgate basketball. Syracuse down by 16 points at half time. Midpoint in the second half, Syracuse being beaten by 24. I was in the depths of despair. Basketball was going to be like football? Then the comeback began. Two points here, a foul shot there, an occasional 3 pointer. Some steals. 

Syracuse won by 4 points: 79-75.

Wow!

I could not get the game on my TV. Don Teich was texting me as the game progressed. With increasing frequency. Especially as Syracuse closed the score. The last 2 minutes every few seconds.

Thank you, Don!

What does the comeback portend for the season? I don’t know, but can only hope for the best. I clearly recall the winning seasons, the Final Fours, the big wins. Please Lord, again.

Next the Maui Tournament starting monday. Syracuse against #7 Tennessee. If successful, will then face #2 Purdue or #11 Gonzaga.

The Supreme Court’s new and first time ethics code described as “toothless…..too little too late…..lacking in an enforcement mechanism…..continues its previous self-review system which was a failure…..wholly inadequate.”

The Supreme Court will continue to lose the confidence of the American people. Something it cannot effectively operate without.

Appears there will be no government shutdown.  With a friday deadline facing the House, new Speaker Johnson did the correct thing to fund government departments till mid-January and the rest through February. He surprised me. The bill passed contains no spending cuts or policy changes that Republican hardliners had sought.

It took significant Democratic support to pass the bill. The Senate is expected to vote in support of it later this week and Biden has indicated he will sign it.

Interestingly, the bill passed is the same one Kevin McCarthy proposed that caused his demise as Speaker.

We are a nation drowning in hatred. Anti-Semitism an example.

Yesterday, hundreds of members of Detroit’s Jewish community flew to Washington, D.C., to march in solidarity with Israel in its war against Hamas. Some did not make it. There was what has been described as a “malicious walk-off” by some bus drivers. Buses that had been arranged for to transport the Jewish demonstrators from the airport to the march.

A “flood watch” was issued yesterday for South Florida. Heavy rain predicted. The “watch” to last till 10 am thursday.

The “flood watch” was not predicted for Monroe County. It was expected to hit Broward, Miami-Dade and Palm Beach Counties.

Someone forgot to tell the rain man. It has been raining lie hell here in Key West steadily for over two hours. I can safely assume Key West streets are already flooding.

ABC’s Jonathan Karl has published a new book. The book Tired of Winning. Described as a bombshell.

Karl was interviewed by MSNBC’s Jen Psaki monday evening. She questioned Karl about a former official in Trump’s White House who had some tough and shocking comments about his former boss. The former official went unnamed by request. His reason because he fears “retribution” from Trump against himself and his family. He refuses to go public in any fashion for that reason.

The quote by the official in Karl’s book: “He lacks any shred of human decency, humility or caring. He is morally bankrupt, breathtakingly dishonest, lethally incompetent, and…..ignorant of virtually anything related to governing, history, geography, human events or world affairs. He s a traitor and a malignancy in our nation and represents a clear and present danger to our democracy and the rule of law.”

Stephen Colbert spoke openly re Trump on his “Late Show” last night: “Donald Trump is a fascist.”

Afraid of dying? Mark Twain said, “I was dead for billions of years before I was born. Why should I be afraid now?”

I was not a fan of Elvis Presley in his hey day. In my old age, I find I enjoy listening to his recordings and watching his movies. It was on this day in 1956 that he made his movie debut in Love Me Tender.

Truman Avenue in Key West so named this day in 1948. The City Commission voted to change the name of Division Street to Truman Avenue in honor of President Harry S Truman’s visit to Key West.

I am writing from home now. Finally got all hooked up by Sloan last night in my new residence. Though I enjoyed the library, it was knocking the hell out of me. I was working off my laptop. Print small. Tired my eyes and therefore my body each day. Now my huge 3 x 2 foot screen is back and I can see and punch away easily.

Enjoy your day!