Visitors from the north. Great White sharks.

Keys waters not necessarily where Great Whites are found. A bit too warm for them. Great Whites generally found to the north in cooler waters.

Two sightings the past few days. One 6 miles off Geiger Key. The other off Looe Key.

In each instance, the sightings were by persons fishing for yellow tail.

The Great White each time estimated to be 15 feet in length. Possibility exists it was the same Great White each time.

The one off Geiger Key came up to the boat with its jaws wide open. The one off Looe Key continued circling the boat for 3 hours. Those on the boat were able to touch the shark several times. Brave souls! Not bright, however.

Tonight the Great Sea Battle. Between the Conch Republic and forces of the United States. Sharks not involved.

Seven in the evening. Gulf side of the island.

The Conch Republic vessels pirate ships. The crew pirates. Limited bikinis for the females. Conch vessels will be firing cabbage, eggs, tomatoes and who knows what else. Also spouting sea water on opposing vessels.

The Conch Republic Air Force bi-planes. Pre- World War II vintage. Open cockpits. They will be dropping bombs on U.S. Coast Guard vessels. The bombs rolls of toilet paper which unfurl as they fall.

The U.S. Air Force will be Navy jets from Boca Chica.

Pre-World War II bi-planes fighting today’s jets. A sight to behold!

Mary and I will be watching the event with my Greek friends Theo and Dina. From Pier 1. Dinner at the outside deck. A walk back to the far outside deck to watch the battle.

A fun night!

Remember the fellow who jumped off a dock onto a pelican. He pled guilty this week to 4 charges. Sentenced to 90 days in jail. Received credit for the 40 days already served. Fined $1,000. Probation following release from jail for 1 year.

Florida continues to be a Republican state. Many of its citizens Trump supporters.

Sanctuary cities popular in many areas across the country. Trump cracking down on them. His most recent idea is to dump immigrants into sanctuary cities. Let them deal with the problem.

Florida going a step further. The Florida House of Representatives voted this week 69-47 in a party line vote to toughen opposition to sanctuary cities.

The bill requires local law enforcement agencies to cooperate with federal immigration authorities re migrants and also ban sanctuary city police from shielding immigrants who are arrested.

The Senate is expected to support the legislation. It is anticipated the Governor will sign it.

The ACLU has warned immigrants to avoid Florida. Not to travel to Florida.

Trumpies are such a welcoming people!

Accidents happen in war. Especially those where we accidentally kill our own.

On this day in 1942, the USS Sturtevant was leaving Key West via the Northwest Channel. The Sturtevant accidentally strayed into a US Navy minefield. The vessel was sunk. Seventeen Americans lost their lives.

Putin and Kim Jung Un are meeting in a summit this week in Russia. Surprisingly, one of the issues discussed is North Korea denuclearization. Putin announced North Korea is agreeable to denuclearization as long as it receives necessary assurances and protections that it will not be invaded, have nuclear weapons used against it, etc.

I doubt anything will come of it, except to draw Russia and North Korea closer. In opposition to the U.S., of course. One possibility is that if the U.S. in any way attacks, etc. North Korea, Russia will immediately step in to defend North Korea.

If such is the result, Trump will once again have screwed things up. He will unquestionably have allied 2 U.S. enemies closer than they were before. Kim Jung Un will have made a fool out of Trump, Pompeo, and Bolan. Putin will once more have out foxed Trump.

Disney World’s Abigail Disney does not beat around the bush. She calls it as she sees it.

Most recently she says the poor are poor because the rich are rich. The rich only care for themselves and manipulate things to their advantage. To the detriment of the poor.

She also says the rich are aided by big government. Big government primarily represents the rich and not the poor. Thereby making everything easy for the rich.

A measles update.

The U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention reports 695 cases this year alone in the U.S. An epidemic without question.

Another set of numbers reports in New York City alone since October 285 cases. Last year during the same period, only 2 cases.

The primary reason for the outbreak is what is described as the anti-vaccination group. Parents opposed for medical and/or religious reasons to measles vaccinations.

Another study reflects that between the years 2010 and 2017, 21 million children world wide remained unvaccinated.

All of the preceding contribute to the opinion that unless those required to be vaccinated get vaccinated soon, measles will obtain a sustained stronghold in the U.S.

Vaccinations are front page news world wide today. Understandable in view of he measles epidemic. Many studies being done. The findings difficult to belief in certain instances.

An example the comparison between the U.S. and Japan. The U.S. mandates many type vaccinations. Japan has no vaccination mandates. Never the less, Japanese children are growing up healthier than U.S. children.

Japan’s population is 127 million. Japan’s children are the healthiest and have the healthiest life expectancy world wide. While being the least vaccinated of any developed country.

The U.S. infant mortality rate is the highest of any comparable nation world wide. The U.S. infant mortality rate reflects more children dying at birth and in the first year of their lives.

A study was done in 2014 comparing infant mortality. The U.S. had the highest number. Japan the lowest. Per every 1,000, the U.S. deaths were 5.8 compared to Japan’s 2.1.

Why?

Enjoy your day!

My love for Greece is well known.

Many Greeks are loyal readers of this blog. Love it!

Theo and Dina are such a couple. They live in a coastal community some where on the northwest side of Greece.

They are visiting Key West this week. We met last night.

Theo has been e-mailing me this past year, sending photos of the lovely Greek area he lives in. Each photo increasing my desire for another Greek visit.

Theo and Dina not strangers to the U.S. They have visited Key West often. Both are hooked! Key West has become their special place. Their goal to have a second home here.

Theo received part of his education in the U.S. A Doctorate from Northwestern. A mechanical engineer. Operates his own business in Greece.

Dina loves to dance. Especially to Cuban music. She has done so a several times already this week.

We spent a couple of hours together. Want to get together tomorrow night for the Great Sea Battle.

Ollie came in and joined us. Ollie the consummate Key West greeter. Ollie an engineer, also. Responsible for our sewer system.

He explained how busy he has been recently. The boat that hit the wires at a bridge near Fleming Key. I thought it caused only the electrical shutdown. Apparently certain of the wires, etc. had to do with sewage. He and his crew have been working diligently to resolve the problem.

Ollie’s consummate capabilities also include lover. He mentioned that 4 ladies had arrived in the afternoon to spend a few days with him. They came to the Chart Room looking for Ollie.

WOW! Beautiful!

I was invited to join them for dinner. Temptation great. Getting late for me, however.

Stopped first at the Blue Macaw on the way home. Terri singing. Enjoyed a drink with Donna.

I looked for Dave and Rhonda. I thought they might be at Blue Macaw to hear Terri sing. Hope to run into them before they leave.

One last stop. Publix. Cupboard bare again. Three small plastic bags of food. $77. Don’t know how families can afford to feed themselves. Cost of groceries similar at present to cost of gasoline. Ever creeping upward. Quietly. Slowly. The consumer never realizes until the total bill received.

Fun time this afternoon. Louis and Laurie Thibaud. I guest on her radio show Party Time from 4-5:30. We talk about whatever turns us on. The give and take terrific. Join us if you can. Radio station 107.5 FM, WGAY FM.

Tomorrow night, the Great Sea Battle. Recalls the birth of the Conch Republic. The Conch Republic Navy and Air Force always win.

I especially enjoy watching the Conch airplanes. Pre-World War II bi-planes. Open cockpits. The Conch’s bomb the Coast Guard vessels beneath them. The bombs rolls of unfurling toilet paper.

A sight to behold!

I cannot help it. I view Trump as arrogant and stupid. He has company. Certain people of Paris. One of the yellow vesters is upset re the $1 billion committed to help restore Notre Dame Cathedral. He was angry because the money was going to Notre Dame and not the poor. He said, “Humans should be more important than stones.”

The poor are not entitled to everything. They are entitled only to that which people want to give them. If people want to contribute to something else, so be it. It’s their money!

Joe Biden announced this morning his candidacy for the Democratic nomination for President. A great guy! A good man! I know him personally.

#MeToo has gone too far. The sexual abuse standard consistently lowered. Biden an example. He is no more a sexual deviate than I. His “problem” is his warmth.

Nicholas Kristol wrote today re Biden…..Best we look as carefully at his policies as at his propensity to hug.

I agree.

First the priests, now boy scout leaders.

Court documents indicate 7,819 scout troop leaders abused 12,254 scouts.

I always found it amusing how police would mark tires on a parked car with chalk. The purpose to determine if and when a car was parked over time.

My recollection on this goes back to my high school days. Some 65 years.

Someone recently decided to challenge the chalk method as the basis to issue an overtime parking ticket.

The case came before a Federal District Court. The Judge ruled the chalk marking on tires of parked cars violated the Fourth Amendment to the Constitution. The Judge concluded the marking was comparable to entering property without a search warrant which has been illegal for many years.

I am always for Justice. However the cost of obtaining that Justice sometimes outweighs recognition of the right.

An overtime parking ticket is initially dealt with in a Traffic Court. Trial there first. Then application to a Federal Court for Constitutional review. An expensive step. In some jurisdictions, the litigant must first exhaust all State court procedures first. Making the Federal Court application even more expensive.

Whatever, Justice has been done. Someone did not care the cost. Only upholding his rights.

Good for him! Glad he could afford it!

Enjoy your day!

Frank Holden was a very popular and well liked person. He passed on 2 weeks ago. Since, there have been a number of celebrations of his life, 2 shadow box placements with his ashes, and yesterday a Viking burial at sea.

A small amount of ashes were placed in the shadow boxes. The rest went down to sea yesterday.

The Key West Harbor became Frank’s final resting place. A small sailing vessel was constructed. His ashes placed thereon in a tiny coffin. Several boats went out to attend the service. The tiny sailboat was let go from one of the vessels.

The tiny vessel finally slipped under the waves at 12:30 pm.

Boat loads of family and friends attended.

An historic burial. Perfect for a man who spent his life on the sea.

Last night was my podcast Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. I dwelled quite a bit on Washington’s desire to engage in war with some country. I sometime think any country.

At the moment, Trump, Pompeo, Bolton and company are considering invading, Venezuela, Iran, maybe North Korea, and placing Russia on the terrorist list.

Each has its own story. I selected Venezuela to dwell on. So much to tell. So much to expose re Trump’s arrogant stupidity.

Guy deBoer at it again. Opening a new publication show. Radio. Similar to one he operated more than 10 years ago.

This one is called KONK Life Amnesty Radio. Aired for the first time yesterday. Station 90.9 FM. Reports all day.

Guy intends it to be community talk format.

He has asked that I participate. I do not know. My material may not fit into what he is seeking.

Some things are basically wrong. Should never be.

I refer specifically to Trump, Twitter, and Twitter’s CEO Jack Dorsey.

We all know the President loves to tweet. Probably has the most Twitter followers than anyone else. His numbers reflect 53.4 million.

Impressive!

Trump’s numbers have dropped recently. By 204,000. Amounts to .04 percent.

Trump troubled. Believes he knows why. Claims Twitter favors Republicans as opposed to Conservatives. He claims the reduction in his numbers intentional. He invited Twitter’s CEO to the White House to discuss the matter. More like a confrontation. The President of the U.S. against one of the U.S.’s leading businessmen.

The two have agreed to keep an open dialogue.

I view the visit as a form of intimidation. Wrong!

There are several Trump’s around the world. All of a sudden!

One is Philippine President Duterte.

He is threatening Canada with war.

Would you believe?

The problem trash/garbage.

Recycling was once big. No longer. Its value diminishing.

Canada used to send its recyclable trash to the Philippines where that country would recycle it for profit.

In 2013-2014, a Canadian company shipped 103 containers of purported recyclable trash weighing 2,450 tons to the Philippines.

Supposedly plastics intended for recycling. Turned out not to be plastics.

The Philippines said take it back. Canada has not yet, though it claims it is working on the problem. The trash is sitting on docks in Manila.

Duterte has had it. You’re garbage…..Get it out of here! Now!

Duterte a ballsy guy. Like Trump. A bully. He threatens. Said yesterday that Canada has one week to get it out or he will consider invading Canada.

Duterte afraid of no one. Last month he threatened that he would send a “suicide mission” to China. The issue involved rights over an island in the South China Sea that both the Philippines and China claim.

Diplomacy a forgotten tool for resolving problems between nations.

Keep in mind Duterte frame of mind. He considers himself Hitler like.

I mentioned yesterday that the price of gasoline in Key West was over $3 a gallon. Questioned whether it would go over $4 again.

It’s coming!

I read last night that in parts of California, gasoline is already over $4 a gallon.

Old time germs returning!

Measles big time. Epidemic proportions in some places.

Tuberculosis (TB) another.

When I was young(1940’s and 1950’s), TB was a major problem. Finally science eradicated, though not totally, the disease. Which means that if anyone comes down with TB today, it’s news.

It was announced this morning that a student at my alma mater Syracuse University has been diagnosed with tuberculosis. Only one case so far. Not yet determined how the student acquired the TB.

Enjoy your day!

Love tuesday nights! Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. My show, my time. I can rant and rave to my heart’s desire.

A multitude of items to be discussed. The Mueller Report, Attorney- General Barr, Trump continuing to bring us to the brink of war, Pompeo and Bolan dangerous warmongers, Conch Republic Sea Battle saturday night, etc.

Fun time for me. Hopefully, interesting to you.

Join me at 9 my time. A fast moving half hour. Guaranteed you will enjoy. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou.

Night of nights last night! A fun evening!

Began at 5 with a manicure by Tammy. Lee Nails in the Habana Shopping Plaza on Flagler.

Love Tammy! She and her husband have been working hard for 15 years. Manicure, pedicure, etc. business. Own it today. About 10 employees. Tammy works 6 days a week from 9 in the morning till 9 at night. Even sundays when an employee might be out sick.

Tammy an immigrant. From Vietnam. In the U.S. 15 years. Went to work right away. Today a proud U.S. citizen. Besides the business, owns a lovely home with her husband. Two children. Two cars.

The American dream fulfilled.

Tammy is representative of the immigrants Trump seeks to keep out.

Surterra Wellness has opened in Habana Plaza where Tammy’s business is located. Surterra a medical marijuana store.

I decided to take a look inside.

How beautiful! The anticipated cash flow must be terrific. Tons of money went into the renovation.

Staff professionally attired. Business attire.

One of them came up to me. I told her I was there to look. She asked if I had a medical prescription. No, I said. Just curious.

I must have dulled her enthusiasm. I was not a live customer! Only could be with a prescription, which I did not have.

She gave me a quick tour and bid me adieu.

A money maker. Had to be at least 10 people wandering around selecting purchases. The store has it all!

Amazing! Two years ago people were arrested, many sent to jail for pot possession. Today, legal if medically prescribed. Two years from now, will be legal for recreational purposes.

The world is in constant change.

Next stop the Chart Room. I had an hour to kill.

John bartending. A small crowd of locals. We chatted the time away.

Vino’s at 7. Another celebration of Frank Holden’s life. The place packed.

I rarely go to Vino’s. Clayton and Valerie run a terrific business. In fact, they now have 4 additional wine bars in other parts of Florida in addition to the Key West one.

I do not drink wine. Nor beer which they sell. I am a hard liquor man.

interestingly, I never drank till I was 45. Not even beer. Went on Dr. Atkin’s diet. Carbohydrate free. After 2 weeks, could drink scotch or gin. Both carbohydrate free.

Bought a bottle of each. Disliked the scotch. Gross. Love the gin! The medicinal taste. Plus gave me a quick kick.

The gin was Beefeaters. I have drunk nothing else since.

Great diet!

Knew many in attendance at Vino’s. Jean and Joe among them.

Joe told me something I never knew. Before my Chart Room days, Valerie was bartender at the Chart Room for 5 years.

Alan Randall stopped by to introduce himself. From London. Has taken a home in Key West for a few months. Reads my blog.

We had a short but interesting conversation. Hope to run into him again before he returns to London.

I must admit I am embarrassingly pleased when people introduce themselves and tell me they read the blog. Touches my heart!

Met the lovely Kellee. An interesting woman. Has had her battles with cancer. Enjoyed spending time with her.

I was still on the go. Dinner scheduled at 8 with Mary at La Trattoria.

Carrie bartending.

A light pasta meal. A couple of gins.

Besides Mary, ran into Dink. He introduced me to Linda.

Grunt’s was a bar at 409 Caroline (between Duval and Whitehead) for years. At least 20 plus. Not always open. The owner had money. Did not enjoy working full time. Was reluctant to sell.

It appears Linda is a person who either bought the building or is renting. The bar now a restaurant of sorts. Inside and out. A food truck in the back.

Linda has renamed Grunt’s Hank’s Hair Dog Saloon. After her golden retriever.

She is proud of the establishment. Provides good food and fine music.

A third person with Dink and Linda. Rob Benton. A musician of some notoriety.

I got confused at this point. Billy the Squid and the Sea Cow Drifters came into the conversation. A new name to me. A popular musical group. Perform at Linda’s new place.

My confusion is whether Benton and the Squid group are part and parcel or separate. I think separate. If I’m wrong, I apologize.

Getting back to Linda for a moment, she lives on Sunset Key. Bought her home about the same time I purchased mine in Key Haven. 1998.

Back in ’98, a lot and newly built home on the waster on Sunset Key cost the same as the one I bought in Key Haven, gutted and renovated. I was reluctant to buy on Sunset Key. Access was only by boat. Did not turn me on.

Linda made the right choice. Twenty years later, a Sunset Key home was worth twice that of a Key Haven home. However, still had to take a boat to get from Key West to Sunset Key.

Key West is in the midst of Conch Republic Week. Today the 37th anniversary of the establishment of the Conch Republic. On this say in 1982, the newly elected Prime Minster Dennis Wardlow officially announced Key West’s secession from the U.S. and the birth of the Conch Republic.

Learned something new. Seems I always am. Concerns Harry Truman.

Harry Truman loved Key West and Key West to this day continues to love Harry Truman. During his Presidency, he spent 175 days over a period of 11 trips in Key West.

So what’s new?

Discovered there is a Harry S Truman Presidential Bridge near mile marker 61.0 off US 1. Duck Key area.

Easy to find. Turn off US 1 onto Duck Key Drive. One mile straight ahead and you are on the bridge.

The bride so named because in March 1964 Truman visited Duck Key and walked across the bridge. The bride short and narrow. Cow Key Bridge huge in comparison.

Duck Key renamed since then. Now Hawks Cay Key.

In addition to the Truman Presidential sign, there are 2 others. One “No Fishing From Bridge.” The other, “Golf Carts 10 MPH.”

I wrote yesterday concerning Christians being under attack world wide. Sri Lanka and China having motivated me.

I follow up today with factual data.

A study indicates that 105 Churches and/or Church buildings are attacked and burned every month. Such breaks down to a little more than 3 a day.

The study further indicated that 345 Christians are killed for faith related reasons every month. The number not stable. Continues escalating.

The study agreed that the news media continues to ignore the problem.

Don’t forget to join me tonight on my podcast.

Enjoy your day!

Believe it…..Christianity is the most persecuted religion today. So claims Pew. So understood by most of the world.

Christian persecution is ignored in the West. The West is silent re the problem. Why, I do not understand.

Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday a perfect example. Three Catholic Churches attacked. Four luxury hotels. Three hundred dead. Five hundred injured.

An Islamist group responsible.

The world is living through the most serious phase of Christian persecution in history. Few acknowledge it. Far worse than during the Roman Empire.

Christianity was born in the Middle East. Through the 20th and into the 21st century, Christians have been driven from the Middle East with bombs and bullets. With hardly a squeak of protest from the West.

It is thought the West is silent for fear of being labeled Islamophobic.

Moving on to the Far East, China is likewise anti-Christian. Big time.

China is a scientifically engineered society. Technocrats cannot tolerate any fundamental ideology that refuses to be molded into the uniform system. Dissent in any fashion cannot be handled.

China has instituted a squeal on your neighbor situation. And made it financially beneficial to the squealer. Rat on your neighbor and be rewarded.

The government wants to know who are Christians. Anyone reporting an individual as Christian receives $1,500. Applies to all Christians and Christian activities. Examples include one’s neighbor, underground Church activities, and bible studies.

Guangzhou the first Chinese city to participate in the program: Snitch on Christians and receive $1,500.

The snitch program has come down hard on Protestant Churches. Resulted in the demolition of Catholic Churches. Also Buddhist Temples and Muslim Mosques.

The two institutions that have had the greatest influence on my life are the U.S.  Government and the Catholic Church. Both in chaos today.

Interestingly, I am simultaneously reading two works evidencing the breakdown of both.

The Mueller Report one. Four hundred plus pages. The other, Frederic Martel’s In The Closet Of The Vatican. Five hundred plus pages. Both heavy reading. Weight wise and other wise.

Both institutions have taken the wrong path. Each must rediscover the correct one. If not, their destruction will adversely impact the whole world.

Will the consumer ever win? Regular gasoline over $3 a gallon. Will it hit $4 again?

News move so fast these days.We become aware of happenings within minutes. Sometimes seconds.

Not always so.

Abraham Lincoln died on April 15, 1865. News of his death did not reach Key West for six days. Not till April 21.

Yesterday, Easter Sunday! Belated greetings.

My holiday began at 9 at Lisa’s. Brunch. Everything.

It was just the five of us. Lisa, husband and two children. And me.

One other. Jake. He’s got it knocked! Has the run of the house. Well behaved. Loves everyone and loved by everyone.

Robert is getting big. A high school freshman. Star tennis player. Stands 5 feet 11 inches. Only 2 shorter than me. He is not done growing. I suspect he will be 6 foot 2 or 3 inches.

Ally is in the eighth grade. A woman. Gorgeous.

Ally just returned from Washington DC. A school trip. Made friends with some girls from Puerto Rico. All excited about the friendship and the trip overall.

I committed a faux pas later in the afternoon. Embarrassing.

Frank Holden died a couple of weeks ago. His ashes received a Viking burial early in the afternoon. Some of the ashes were saved. For a place of honor in the Chart Room.

Not in the bar rail itself. Now prohibited by law.

Jean Thornton and friends prepared a new and different resting place for Frank’s Chart Room ashes. A shadow box. Good sized. Photo of Frank and his ashes in the box. The resting place for his ashes a tsa tsa. A clay molded  painted pouch.

The shadow box was screwed into the wall behind the bar.

The Chart Room celebration was at 5. I completely forgot about it. Did not arrive till 7 hoping to find some friends and share a few holiday drinks. Many people there. I was surprised at the number till I discovered it was Frank’s celebration.

Offered my apologies to Jean Thornton and several others. Felt like an ass.

All not lost, however. Vino’s placing a similar shadow box in its bar at 7 this evening. I will be there!

Ann one of Frank’s friends at the Chart Room. Ann a fellow Irma escapee. We spent 12 days together at Jean and Joe Thornton’s home in Birmingham.

Joe is in town. Here for a week. Always good to see him.

Steve and David attended Frank’s celebration. Chatted with the two of them quite a while.

Big George at the Celebration also. The name fits him. A big guy. He and Frank were room mates in Key West in the 1970’s.

Enjoy your day!

This is the day! A major once a year event scheduled. The Conch Republic Drag Race. Duval Street. Part of Conch Republic Days.

Drag Queens galore! Female impersonators at their best! Males in female attire, wigs and make up. Most importantly, heels. High heels!

The 700 block of Duval. Race hosted by the Bourbon Street Pub.

The obstacle course difficult. Tires in the road, etc. Queens will be sitting in supercharged shopping carts driven by local male dancers.

Anything can happen! Usually does!

Enjoy!

A noon haircut with Lori yesterday. Her salon packed. Has been for weeks. We talked about it.

We were in accord. The big business ends this weekend. A holiday. Tourists in in large numbers. Snowbirds will go home next week. Business will be dramatically down in a week.

So it is. So it has been for many years. Lori and her staff plan for it. All are tired. Glad things will slow down.

Stopped into Fernandy’s for lunch. A gentleman came over. He knew me. I did not recognize him, however. His wife followed.

Turned out we had met at the Chart Room 5 years ago. Dave and Rhonda from Birmingham.

Dave reads this blog religiously. He knew it was time for my haircut and manicure. He was right! Haircut yesterday. Hopefully, manicure today.

Dave and Rhonda are visiting for one month. They rented a house near the Blue Macaw. Indicated they wanted to see Terri White. Perfect! She sings wednesday evening at 7 at Blue Macaw. They were excited.

Dave and Rhonda nice people. Understandable. They live in Birmingham, Alabama. Home of Jean and Joe Thornton. My benefactors during Irma.

Dave knew all about the stay. As I was trying to tell him about how nice Birmingham people were, he was a step ahead of me. He had read it all in the blog at the time. He agreed Birmingham people are the best.

Strange night. Began raining early. Around 9-10. Kept raining all night. Heavy. Noisy.

Heavy rain had been predicted for South Florida. Did not think it included the Keys. It did. Periodically woke me during the evening.

Met Janet Bengel and Don Bearden thursday at the radio station when I finished the show with Laurie. Laurie was going to interview them on her next segment re a show they are doing.

I chatted briefly with them in between segments.

Their involvement with the Fringe Theater. Live Key West theater.

Janet is President of Fringe Theater. Don a writer and sometime actor.

Don has written a new show. It’s All About Us. A romance and time travel story. It’s world premier April 24 and 25 in Key West at the Key West Theater on Eaton street.

Sounds good. I hope to be there.

Hurricane Michael back in the news. Destroyed the Panhandle last year. The federal government continues to fail the Panhandle. They are being treated like second cousins. Not getting the federal bucks and help required. An absolute disgrace.

They are American citizens living on the soil of an American state. Compared to Puerto Ricans who are Americans citizens and also still suffering more than a year later following Maria.

The government has and continues to fail both. A disgrace! Trump really knows how to take care of his own! Said with tongue in cheek. He knowingly permits U.S. citizens to suffer.

The problem is money. He would rather send it to the southwestern border than to northern Florida and Puerto Rico. His priorities screwed up.

Michael is back in the news. It was first classified as a category 4. Five miles short of a 5. It has been reclassified as a category 5. Why, I am not sure. I could find no specific reason. Five miles a minuscule difference.

My circle of friends continues to get smaller.

John Longeretta died.

John a Utica attorney I have known since high school days. An athlete. Exceptional football player. Played at Hamilton College. Baltimore looked him over.

John went to Syracuse University School of Law as I did. He was a year older and a year ahead of me.

John and I were always friends. Not saturday night dinner types. Good friends professionally and personally, never the less.

A quick story.

I had been sworn in 2 weeks earlier as a for real honest to goodness licensed lawyer. Received a telephone call from Judge Walsh’s secretary at 3 on a friday afternoon. The Judge wanted to see me.

I was all excited. A Judge wanted to see me!

Rushed down to his Chambers. He told me he was assigning me to a criminal case scheduled to begin trial monday morning. Three African-Americans had killed a semi-prominent white man and robbed him. The other 2 defendants were being represented by John Longeretta and Harold Hymes. Harold later became Chief Judge of the Utica City Court System.

Was I thrilled! They were charged with murder in the 2nd degree. Carried a death sentence. Electrocution in those days.

Note I had officially only been a lawyer for 2 weeks. I knew from nothing. They did not teach in law school in those days how to try a case. You learned by doing following graduation.

John had tried several criminal cases already. Harold had tried many over the years.

I was a total screw up! Mistakes! Wow!

At one time, I made a huge terrible one. I asked a stupid question that should never have been asked. Hurt our side badly. Judge Walsh called an immediate conference in Chambers.

I did not have to wait for the Judge to ream me a new you know what. Harold was all over me. Respectfully, John never said a word.

I took my beating. What else could I do? We returned to the court room.

The trial last 5 1/2 weeks. The jury was out in excess of 24 hours continuously. A blinding snowstorm raging outside. The courthouse heat inadequate in the night time.

The jury returned a verdict of guilty of robbery in the 2nd degree. Not guilty on the murder count.

The maximum  sentence in those days for robbery 2nd was 18 months. My “client” had spent 24 months awaiting trial. He would walk out of the courthouse with me.

He knew he was poorly represented. When he heard “guilty” and not understanding to what and the significance thereof, he looked at me and called me an “asshole.”

So it was.

None of us defending got paid. In those days, indigents were appointed counsel. Who worked for free. Pro bono. No public defender system.

I enjoyed working the case with John. Enjoyed working the case period. My first.

By the way, I got better as time went on.

John married Mirella. A beautiful stewardess from Italy. They had 4 children. Three boys and a girl. Their daughter Andria was a superior gymnast. I believe she went to George Washington because of the talent. Not sure what son John did for a living.

My friend had 2 other sons. Paul and David. Both became attorneys and spent their lives working with their father. Both, good people. I had an especially close relationship with David.

John, everyone will miss you. Rest in peace.

My date for dinner tonight is Terri. Donna is in Detroit doing Passover with her family. Terri opted not to go this year.

It will be a good evening.

No blog tomorrow. I wish you a Happy Easter today. Lisa is doing a big brunch at 9.

Enjoy your day!

Trump is lucky Mueller was the Special Prosecutor. Mueller who operates by the book. Knows no deviation. Anyone else would have found a path to indict Trump.

Now the world will have to wait 2-4 years more to know if such will occur.

Winston Churchill’s words ring true here: “The end of the beginning.” The Trump investigation is nowhere at an end. Trump still has to deal with certain Congressional Committees, the Southern District of New York, and the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office.

Barr came out a two faced liar. He sold his soul for Trump. He went into the Attorney General’s job for the second time a man of respect. He has been tainted by Trump. Anyone who comes into contact with Trump comes out dirtied.

Obstruction big. Trump will perish on his own sword.

Though Trump not indicted, the Mueller Report stands as a brutal indictment of him. The Report does not “totally and completely exonerate” Trump as Trump and his attorneys would have you believe.

Sarah Sanders comes out an acknowledged liar. We always knew. Another who has been dirtied by Trump. Or perhaps herself. Her desire for fame and glory making her do whatever was necessary to attain her goals.

The preceding my initial thoughts. More to come.

Laurie Thibaud and I had a great 1.5 hours together yesterday. The show gets better each week. The show’s name should be Fun Time on the Airwaves.

Laurie does the radio show weekends on the street at the new Duval Mall.

She views the Mall a success. Bases her conclusion on those attending. More each weekend. Smiles on their faces. Laurie says the Mall gives Key Westers who rarely go out something enjoyable to do.

Then to the Chart Room. Mary came in. We chatted a while. Ended up having dinner at La Trattoria. Tiffany bartending.

I sat next to Dink. One of the most impressive people in Key West today. A local, a Conch. He knows everything about the Key West of yesterday. His Dad was Hemingway’s driver for 10 years.

An early night. I was home in bed at 9 watching television.

Passover today. Begins at sun down. An 8 day festival commemorating the emancipation of Israelites from slavery in ancient Egypt.

I have been fortunate for years to be Donna’s guest at Seder. Tonight’s dinner. Not this year, however. Donna and her family are doing Seder in Detroit this year. I took Donna to the airport yesterday afternoon.

One impropriety leads to another. One violation of law leads to another.

The story. A civilian group is policing the southwest border. Specifically, the New Mexico portion. Called the United Constitutional Patriots. A white nationalist group.

Uniformed. Carrying guns. Tell migrants they are a part of the Border Patrol/helping the Border Patrol. The Border Patrol apparently welcomes their assistance.

I do not and you should not. A self proclaimed group. Militarized themselves. Carry weapons. Perform police duties.

The federal government should immediate put the group out of business. Arrest and charge them. Will not happen, however. Trump probably welcomes their support and assistance.

Note carefully that this type white nationalist group operates openly in one area now. If they get away with it, they will rapidly spread across our land.

We do not need this. Smother the operation in its infancy.

Proof of the group’s existence already in video form on the internet. They are proud of what they are doing, video themselves and spread what they are doing via the internet.

The measles epidemic in New York is heading for an appellate confrontation. Two weeks ago, a group of parents  asked a Rockland County Judge to remove the ruling that those non-vaccinated could not attend public places. Schools, malls, parks, etc. The Judge agreed with the parents saying it was improper for government to impose such a ban.

So the measle epidemic was left to spread in Rockland County.

Last week, New York’s Mayor de Blasio ordered mandatory measle vaccinations. Schools were closed. Parents went to court. This time unsuccessfully.

Justice Lawrence Knipel wrote in his opinion: “A fireman need not obtained informed consent of the owner before extinguishing a house fire…..Vaccination is known to extinguish the fire contagion.”

For Christians, today is Good Friday. The day Jesus was crucified.

There was a time before I became a fallen away Catholic that I would attend a 3 hour service in Church on Good Friday. Noon to 3. No more.

I wonder how many still do.

Enjoy your day!

Going to be one hell of a day politically! Beginning at 9:30 this morning when attorney General Barr has a press conference re the Mueller Report.

The Report supposedly will be delivered to appropriate Congressional members around noon.

Word is Barr has already reviewed with various White House counsel contents of the Report. A no no. Not proper procedure. Report required to first go to the Congressional Committees involved.

Question whether Congress will see the whole or a redacted version.

Barr fails to understand or has intentionally forgotten he is sworn to uphold he Constitution. He is not personal attorney to the President. Not any type counsel to the President. He is wearing the wrong hat the way he is conducting his responsibilities.

By not going by the book, Barr is sowing political distrust, political discord. Many wonder if he is participating in a cover-up of certain facts.

The country is in jeopardy. Barr by not doing his duty as required contributes greatly to that jeopardy.

A few days ago, I suggested what is needed at this time is a Federal Judge to oversee the whole of the investigation. Someone similar to Judge John Sirica in Nixon/Watergate.

It may be happening.

Already several Federal Judges are involved in various aspects. One is Judge Reggie Walton. He has been assigned the BuzzFeed News’ FOIA request.

Judge Wilson announced yesterday that he should be involved in any redaction issues before any part of the Report goes public.

No determination has been made as yet.

There is a humor involved. Judge Walton is African-American. Trump a bigot. Poetic justice should Walton be assigned to the redaction phase of the case.

Made it to the Chart Room just after 5 yesterday. Seated at the bar were Mike, Jeff, and Gray. All Virginians.  Two from Arlington, one Fort Royal. Mike and Jeff brothers. Gray Mike’s brother in law.

Here with the wives. The men having a couple of drinks while waiting for the ladies to get ready for dinner. They were booked into Seven Fishes.

Jeff described their trip as a “spring break.” Twentieth visit to Key West for Mike and Jeff. Tenth for Gray.

The men have reached the successful time in their lives. Mike manages a software business, Jeff in business development, and Gary wealth management.

They are staying at Sweet Home Angelita. Never heard of it. They praised the accommodation. I googled it this morning. Magnificent!

Speaking of the Green Parrot, Mike thought the Green Parrot had the best Bloody Mary’s in Key West.

Harpoon Harry’s has become my place for dinner wednesday nights. A complete Thanksgiving turkey dinner. So good! Enjoyed last night!

Followed by a walk along the docks by Turtle Kral. Dusk. A comfortable breeze. The views of the boats lined up in every direction. A sight to see in the gray of the night.

More information re the Key West Citizen Building. The people by vote approved the purchase of the building for $5 million.

Only 14 percent of eligible voters participated. Sixty nine percent (1,459) approved. Six hundred forty nine voted no.

A poor turnout considering Key West has 15,000 registered voters.

Turtle time once again.

Marathon’s Turtle Hospital cares for sick turtles from all over the U.S. The place for a very sick turtle. The Hospital’s results outstanding.

When healing completed, the turtle is returned to the ocean.

Yesterday was Snappy’s big day. All better after weeks of care, he was returned to the ocean

So many boats, yachts, vessels of all kinds in Keys’ waters. Infrequently, one burns. Such occurred a few days ago. A 48 foot yacht somewhere offshore of Islamorada was on fire. Big time. A photo shows 3/4’s of the top side totally engulfed in flames. Thick black smoke on top reaching to the sky.

Fortunately, no injuries to those on board. Two adults and a dog. Our efficient Coast Guard quickly removed them before the flames got out of hand.

The weather has been getting humid this past week. Always occurs just before Easter. Today’s temperature a high of 88. Sunny, breezy, and HUMID.

From mid afternoon today busy for me.

At 3, I drive Donna to the airport. She is off to Detroit for the Jewish holiday. Returns sunday night.

Then to radio station 107.5 FM, WGAY FM to guest on Lori Thibaud’s radio show from 4-5:30. We do good together. Have been improving every week.

The radio station is across the street from the Pier House. I walk over to the Chart Room and imbibe for a couple of hours. Always meet friends or make new ones. I suspect I will end up having dinner with one of the old friends.

Almost another Columbine.

Columbine was 20 years ago. The 20th anniversary of the tragedy 5 days hence.

An 18 year old female high school student flew to Denver to celebrate the event by killing more students.

Her name, Sol Pais. She had been talking about Columbine in a strange fashion for days before. She was obsessed with Columbine. As soon she was off the plane, she drove to a store and purchased a shotgun and shells.

Various agencies became alerted. Traced her down. She committed suicide before they were upon her in a forest.

The various police agencies have to be complimented. They were ready for something like this. Picked up on the clues and went to work. As a result, another Columbine averted!

This day a significant one in history.

On this day in 1906, the Great San Francisco earthquake. An 8.0 on the rector scale.Hundreds killed. Two hundred fifty shock waves following the hurricane.

In 1775, Paul Revere and William Dawes gained notoriety. They rode their horses all over the countryside warning of the British moving on Concord and Lexington.

Dawes actually rode much farther than Revere. However Revere was made famous by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow in his poem Paul Revere’s Ride. Recall the stanza: “One if by land / Two if by sea.”

The U.S. achieved its first revenge on Japan for Pearl Harbor. The year 1942. The event Doolittle’s raid on Tokyo.

This day in 1982 the Conch Republic was born. The Border Patrol blocked U.S. 1 at Florida City. Caused a 15 mile backup. The authorities checked everyone going north. It was thought persons illegally in the U.S. were bringing drugs into the U.S. through the Keys.

The event touched the humor bone of many Keys persons. A group organized itself into the Conch Republic. Immediately attacked the Border Patrol blockade. Followed with an equally immediate surrender to the U.S. and a reparation demand of $1 million.

Key West celebrates the occasion with a week long party each year.

Have to hustle. Started early. Want to catch Barr on TV at 9:30.

Enjoy your day!

Yes, there is a growing anti-Semitic movement world wide. Why, I cannot understand. Perhaps man needs a particular group to look down upon and abuse.

Then there are Muslims. Frowned upon, warred against, for years. Today the anti-Muslim movement appears to be growing with rapidity. World wide. Speed depending on the geographic area.

The U.S. still in the slow stage. Were it not for Trump, there would be far less anti-Muslim feeling than exists. He has fostered and nurtured anti-Muslim feelings in the U.S.

The nation at the forefront today is China. Insanely so.

China has “re-education camps.”  Gulags. Supposedly to change the Muslim’s religious way of thinking. More like Hitler’s concentration camps, however.

China’s Xinjiang region has 1 million Muslims so incarcerated. The 1 million making up 7 percent of the region’s population.

The anti-Muslim movement forcefully separate parents and children, incarcerate children in state run orphanages. China’s methods have been described as “a ruthlessly efficient Nazi-like systemic oppression.”

The world hears little of China’s treatment of its Muslim population. Two reasons therefore.

The first has to do with money. China a place for  world elites to make money. Big dollars. Why upset China. The opportunity for riches could stop. U.S. business persons part of the elite who want to continue doing business, could care less for the Chinese Muslim persecutions.

The other, the media. For some reason, the media is reluctant to address the problem.

Trump obviously anti-Muslim. It appears also he picked up some of China’s tricks.

I am always home tuesday evenings. Podcast time! I broadcast from my home.

Fun to do. The show informative. If you are not a listener, join me next week. You may enjoy the show.

In a quick hard hitting half hour, I covered the redacted Mueller report due to be released tomorrow, the Notre Dame fire, Appalachian coal miners becoming beekeepers, the F 35 expose, 20 veteran suicides a day, Trump’s retaliatory plan for sanctuary cities, words by the prophet Isaiah, and Steve Miller.

The people of Key West have spoken. In a vote, the people voted to have Key West buy the Citizen plant. For $5 million. Only 2,109 voted.

I was one of those who did not exercise my right to vote in this instance. Nor did I speak about the proposed sale at any time, except personally with people.

The property is not worth $5 million. The building has many problems. Though too late, I would like to know the anticipated cost for renovations.

Yemen, oh Yemen! Food and medicine shortages. On the brink of famine. Many killed every day. Primarily by Saudi planes dropping bombs and strafing.

Yemen a far worse humanitarian crisis than Venezuela.

The whole world has known and condemns the Yemen massacre. The U.S. does not. The U.S. provides military assistance to Saudi Arabia. Primarily in the form of the bombs dropped.

The House and Senate worked together in a bi-partisan fashion to cease supplying military equipment to Saudi Arabia. Trump vetoed the bill.

I hope Congress has sufficient votes to override the veto.

Congress passed the bill in an effort to finally stand up to a bad scene. Thousands killed. People starving. No medical care.

Congress is also extremely upset with Jamal Khashoggi’s killing. Recall, the Washington Post journalist whose body was chopped up in the Saudi embassy in Istanbul.

Trump vetoed because Saudi Arabia is his friend. Recall how they treated him when first he visited after his election.

Add Trump’s veto to his record of failures.

The Assange problems has so many twists and turns. Truth, exaggeration, lies, make up the story/package.

You recall that Assange had remained in the Ecuadorian Embassy in London for years. Ecuador surrendered him to English police last week.

Many countries want him. Including the U.S. Looks like the U.S. will get him.

A hearing was before British Judge Michael Snow. A trial trial. Assange was charged with publishing materials specifying U.S. war crimes in Afghanistan and Iraq.

The trial took 15 minutes. Assange only spoke once and that was to say “Not Guilty.” The Judge found Assange guilty.

Assange will be returned to the U.S.

His attorney described the proceeding a kangaroo court. Sounds like one to me.

In the long run, I am not sure exactly what Assange did that makes more than one country want him and want him desperately. The U.S. wants him for more than the charges he was found guilty of in the English court.

A strange outcome. Not the final result. I am sure the U.S. will hit him hard with additional charges when he returns.

Not the American way to get him. This whole matter over the years has left me confused.

Enjoy your day!

A busy 24 hours. Locally and internationally.

Paris first. Notre Dame Cathedral burned yesterday. A big fire. Roof and spire collapsed.

Paris in tears.

Paris firemen performed excellently. The fire was officially declared extinguished  in 8 hours.

The crown of thorns that Christ wore as he was beaten and crucified was saved. A priest ran into the burning Cathedral to save the ancient religious relic.

The Cathedral is 12th century Gothic in design. The building itself described as a masterpiece.

It will be rebuilt. The stone walls still stand. Already 2 donors have pledged a total of $3.5 million towards the reconstruction.

The Cathedral has survived several major abuses over the centuries. The rampages of the Huguenots in the 16th century, the depredations of radicals during the French Revolution in the 18th century when the cathedral was utilized as the home of the Cult of Reason and a warehouse, and incidental damages suffered in 2 World Wars in the 20th century.

Notre Dame will return!

Respectfully, Trump consistently gets his nose into things he knows nothing about. The Paris fire an example.

First however let’s go back to the California wildfires several months ago. Trump said California was negligent because it failed to sweep the forest lands. Thereby imputing responsibility for the wildfires to California.

His solution yesterday for the Cathedral fire was to use “flying water tankers.” What he had in mind is what firefighters refer to as “water bombing.”

Several professional sources responded immediately such was not the way to go. Water dropped from the air would cause the walls and remaining structure to collapse, worsen the situation, and endanger nearby buildings.

Trump may be an expert in some fields. He is not in firefighting.

He brought to mind the 1958 Spencer Tracy movie The Last Hurrah. Tracy played Mayor Frank Skeffington seeking reelection following several terms in office. The opposition hated him. Tracy was shanty Irish, the opposition Wasps.

The Wasps were blocking funds that the Mayor needed for a housing project in a poor neighborhood.

The son of one of the Wasps was visibly a horse’s ass. An obvious embarrassment to his father. The Mayor called him into his office unbeknown to his father. The Mayor made him Fire Chief. Had some photos taken in a fire hat and holding a horn of sorts.. Sent to the father before going to the press.

The father withdrew his opposition to the housing project. The Mayor withdrew the son’s nomination as Fire Chief. No one knew the better.

Trump may be a wasp. I do not know for sure. Whatever, in the field of fire fighting he is as good as the son who never became Fire Chief.

Anna was back to work  yesterday. She had some personal matters to resolve and was gone 6 weeks. Not easy for an old bachelor to clean house, do the wash, and iron. I am thrilled she has returned!

The outside of the house is getting a clean-up. The owners have had the entire house painted. Looks brand new!

Dueling Bartenders to start the evening yesterday. Teri White in a guest appearance. She and Rick Dery rocked the place!

Donna came in after work. Liz was there with Mary.

Bruce Moore came in especially to hear and see Terri. Bruce visiting for 2 weeks.

Bruce a singer and dancer himself. Appeared several times on Broadway. The guy does not age. He looked the same as when I last saw him 10 years ago.

Took a walk to La Trattoria where I had dinner alone. Dink came over as I was finishing. We talked quite a while.

Dink is a Conch. Born here. His father was Hemingway’s driver.

Hemingway’s last wife returned to Key West a year or two after her husband’s death. A room full of boxes had been discovered in Sloppy Joe’s back room. Hemingway materials. She went to examine the contents.

She took some. The major portion she left. She gave those boxes/items to Dink’s father. Turns out some of the materials have value. An unpublished book, a series of short stories, miscellaneous writings, and other materials.

Dink’s father and mother have passed on. The treasure trove Dink’s. We talked at length about it last night.

A Viking burial! Soon to be one in Key West. To “bury” a prominent Key Wester’s ashes.

Frank Holden well loved by many. To know him was to love him.

He had captained/mastered large vessels since the late 1960’s. Came to Key West and settled here in the early 1970’s. Died here February 25 at the age of 66. His death sudden and unexpected. He dropped. That was it.

Frank one of the Chart Room Bunch. Vino’s and The Porch, also.

At the time of his demise, he was the Admiral of the Conch Republic Navy.

His burial at sea tuesday April 23 at 1. A boat of relatives and friends will accompany his remains out to sea. Boats of others who knew Frank will join the flotilla.

Frank is to receive a Conch Republic Naval Burial at Sea. Airplanes and all. The event has been described to me as a Viking burial.

I suspect the harbor will be full of boats attending the ceremony. Following which there will be a celebration of Frank’s life at Schooner’s upstairs loft.

I was chatting with Donna at Dueling Bartenders. Told her many of my friends are in wheel chairs, or using canes and walkers.

Told her I hoped my time was still a far way off for such assistance.

Donna responded, “No one is promised tomorrow.”

Profound. True.

Which brings me to the prophet Isaiah: “Woe unto those who legislate evil and rob the poor of their rights and make women and children their prey.”

Remind you of anyone? The man who lives at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

The Boston Marathon yesterday. Run in the worst weather in years.

The male winner was Worknesh Degefa. Won by 2 seconds. Numbers 2 and 3 were right behind him. A last second spurt did it.

The female, Luorce Cherno. Far and away number 1. She took the lead after 5 miles and never saw the pack behind her again.

The Russian Revolution an interesting event. At least for me. Russian history has always appealed to me. Mixed in with their writings, music, etc.

On this day in 1917, Lenin returned from exile to lead the Russian Revolution. He had been in exile for 10 years. His thoughts and actions impacted the world. Still do.

The Russian revolutionaries had split into 2 groups. The White Bolsheviks and the Red Bolsheviks. The Whites had the power at first. The first President of free Russia and a White Bolshevik  was Alexander Kerensky.

When Lenin and the Reds came to power, Kerensky fearing for his life fled Russia. First to London, then New York City.

I attended Manhattan College in New York City. In my senior year ((1956-1957), 2 Russian history courses were offered for the first time. Covered the Russian Revolution. I was thrilled. Took them both.

The professor was Alexander Kerensky. The man who had been the first President of a free Russia and also a leader of the White Bolsheviks.

Thrilling? You have no idea. To listen to a man who had experienced what he was teaching us. He had been there for everything. Wow!

Tonight another Wow! My podcast Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. Nine my time. A quick half hour of Louis ranting and raving about whatever moves me at the moment.

Join me. Guaranteed you will enjoy. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou.

Enjoy your day!