Many Christian happenings are pagan in origin. Ash Wednesday one of them.

No where in the Bible is Ash Wednesday mentioned.

Sometime in 300 A.D., the Catholic Church wanted to increase its numbers. It convinced certain pagan groups to join them in order to do so. Based on the Church’s promise that certain of their heathen practices would be permitted to continue. Ash Wednesday was one of them.

The pagan groups accepted the Catholic Church’s beliefs at the Council of Nicaea in 325 A.D.

Rome was interested in the marriage of the two groups also. Politics. Assured peace. Increased Rome’s power. Emperor Constantine was instrumental in bringing the Catholics and pagans together.

Ash Wednesday was not received initially by the Catholics with enthusiasm. Took another 700 years before the relationship was solidified.

Today, Ash Wednesday is practiced by most Christian sects.

Convenience has entered the picture. “Ashes to Go” are common. Clergy have drive ins to provide the ashes. Many go to railroad stations, airports, and busy thoroughfares, to anoint the faithful.

The source of ashes are left over palms from the previous year’s Palm Sunday. Burned to ash.

Ash Wednesday is the beginning of Lent. Forty six consecutive days of self-restraint and abstention. Some Christians do, others not.

Clergy rub ashes on the foreheads of those inclined to participate. The clergy person utters one of two sayings: “Repent, and believe in the Gospel,” or “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”

When I was a child, I abstained in a child’s ways. Generally gave up candy for Lent. As I grew into manhood, alcoholic drink. Such was long ago. I have not abstained in years.

My podcast last night. Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou.

Love doing the show! My platform for speaking in support or against issues with enthusiasm.

Fun!

Thank you to those who listen. The numbers are great. Increase weekly. If you have not listened, do so one or two times to see if you enjoy. I suspect you might, even if you do not agree with me. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou.

Puerto Rico victimized in the past as well as recently. The recent being Trump’s failure to care for Puerto Rico’s American citizens following Hurricane Maria.

The first time was March 1917. The U.S. in or ready to get into World War I. President Wilson knew a bigger Army was needed. He signed legislation making Puerto Ricans American citizens. Within months, 20,000 Puerto Ricans were drafted.

I am into robots again.

A recent study indicated the use of robots in the U.S. in 2018 was up 16 percent from 2017. A record year for U.S. robot use!

Time once again to thank Trump.

The Hanoi summit was a failure. Nothing accomplished. Not actually true. Kim went home and began rebuilding a missile launch facility that formerly had been dismantled.

Some say Kim began building before the Hanoi meeting. Whatever, North Korea is rebuilding.

Trump has trumped that the “moratorium” on missile testing was a “major diplomatic achievement” by him.

In his mind only.

Trump continues to take actions that have opposite reactions. Something he should have learned in school.

The nuclear treaty with Russia (Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty) has been in existence since 1987. Both the U.S. and Russia at the time happy with it. Until Trump’s election able to live with it. Pretty much ensured no nuclear war with Russia.

Trump said the U.S. out of the treaty. No longer bound by it.

Trump’s friend Putin has finally reacted. Putin announced monday that Russia “suspended” its obligations under the treaty. The suspension will remain till the U.S. ends its violations of the treaty or until it terminates.

Trump’s actions in declaring the treaty null and void brings the U.S. and Russia closer to the possibility of a nuclear war.

Trump has not been nor is he a good President. His concern for the welfare of those he represents lacking.

Paul Waldman recently wrote in an opinion piece that the spines of Congressional Republicans are in short supply. He wrote, “Many Republicans…..when the history of this period is written will come out looking terrible, as a bunch of cowards who have made themselves handmaidens to the most corrupt President in American history.”

Enjoy your day!

Debauchery in New Orleans. Today, the day. Mardi Gras!

The day before Lent. Christians supposedly fast and do acts of penance during the Lenten season. So they fill up on food and other palatable goodies this day.

Mardi Gras is a French term. In practical terms means Fat Tuesday. Ergo, Mardi Gras is also referred to as Fat Tuesday. A day of gluttony.

In 1889, New Orleans on its famous Bourbon street began the Mardi Gras festival. A religious event initially. Primarily tourist attended.

In the later decades of the 20th century, a sexual flavor was added. Referred to by social scientists as “ritual disrobement.” Women began exhibiting their breasts. Openly on the street and from balconies.

The religious aspect disappeared. Sexuality crept in. Bare boobs the order of the day!

Breast exposure not for free. Beads and trinkets to the ladies doing so.

Mardi Gras officially ends at midnight. Police on horseback ride down Bourbon Street at that time. The honeymoon is over. Their purpose to ceremonially “clean the street.” Such an announcement to all that the end of carnival season had arrived. Sackcloth and ashes await. Fasting and penance henceforth the order of the day.

I was excited last night. Syracuse playing #2 ranked nationally Virginia. Thought we could win. Hell, we beat Duke 2 weeks ago when Duke was #1.

I watched the game at the Chart Room with Ted. A friend from Wampsville, N.Y. The county seat for Madison County. Madison Country sitting between Syracuse and Utica.

Ted a life time resident of the area. His legal career a respected one. He served as Court Clerk for the County and Surrogate Courts of Madison County for years.

For those unfamiliar, a court clerk in many areas is the brains behind the Judges. He the person who does the research and initially decides a point of law before a Judge. The Judge then rules based on that advice. The clerk’s advice generally followed.

Ted visits Key West several times a year. This time for a month. Staying at Banyan Court.

Ted a Syracuse undergrad and law grad. Ergo, a fan!

We watched the game together.

From joy to horror. Syracuse was leading at half time. Hope springs eternal! The second half however another story.

Virginia outscored Syracuse by 26 points. Made 72 percent of their 3’s during the game.

No joy in Mudville from my perspective.

This was Syracuse’s third game against a top 10 team where Syracuse went into the locker room at half time ahead. Only to be demolished in the second half.

This is the last week of the season. Syracuse has only one league game remaining. Against Clemson later in the week.

I must confess. At this point I question whether Syracuse will make the Big Tournament.

Harry Truman loved Key West. Key West loves Harry Truman.

While President, Truman made 11 trips to Key West totaling 175 days. Following his Presidency, he continued to return. Five times. His last trip being in April 1969.

On this day in 1948, Truman flew back to Washington after having spent 10 Presidential working days at the Little White House. As he left the Little White House he said, “I’ll be back here if I can make it.”

He did.

Valor sometimes the result of pure conviction. Principle.

On this day in 1770, British troops fired into a crowd of colonists. Five colonists were killed. Bostonians were enraged. The event became known as the British Massacre.

Certain British troops were arrested and charged with murder.

They were in need of a lawyer to defend them. No one was inclined to assume the responsibility. Defend British soldiers who killed colonists?

One came forward. John Adams.

Adams was short of stature, tall in guts and determination. He considered the men innocent and entitled to representation.

Adams defended the British soldiers. Successfully. They were acquitted.

Feisty, in your face, never one to back down from a confrontation, John Adams, became the second President of the United States.

What follows is similar to Martin Luther nailing his 95 Thesis on the door of All Saints’ Church in Wittenberg.

The House Judiciary Committee sent document requests to 81 individuals and entities. Noted in the request was that the same documents had been requested by the Mueller investigation and that of the Southern District.

A cry of denunciation has emitted!

Republicans should not cry out in opposition. When they were in charge and investigating Bill Clinton for impeachment, more than 1,200 subpoenas were issued.

For sex and failure to tell the truth.

Supposed charges against Trump far more excessive, shocking and disturbing.What is more serious? Oral copulation in the Oval Office or sleeping with Putin?

Tonight, tonight, my podcast show! Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. Nine my time. Join me. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou.

I have a lot to get off my chest. A half hour of ranting and raving should help.

Enjoy your day!

Two person college reunion last night at the Chart Room. Grads from a few years back from St. Vincent College in Latrobe.

John Lally and John Moore. They were having dinner with their wives at Pier One.

Lally is from Pittsburgh. Moore from North Beach, New Jersey and Sugarloaf.

Lally a loyal blog reader. I suspect Moore also.

Nice guys. Enjoyed meeting them. Wish we had longer to chat.

Arnold Palmer’s name came up. Palmer born and raised in Latrobe. Did not attend St. Vincent. Was fortunate to receive a golf scholarship and went instead to Wake Forest.

Mary arrived. We had a drink and chatted with John.

I said let’s walk. We went down to the waterfront. Enjoyed Schooner Wharf food and drink. Sat at the bar.

A while since I ate at Schooner Wharf. A cheeseburger and onion rings.

Tonight, Syracuse/Virginia at 7. Virginia #2 in the country. Syracuse unranked. Never the less, we could win.

Ted from Wampsville visiting. We still have not met this trip. Ted, I will be watching the Syracuse game at the Chart Room. Join me at 7.

Ted a radical Syracuse fan, also.

The Old Man and the Sea. Hemingway’s last novel. Published this day in 1952.

Hemingway had it delivered to his publisher with a note indicating it was “the best writing” he ever did.

The critics agreed. Hemingway won the Pulitzer Prize in 1953 for The Old Man and the Sea.

Trump has a pattern of making something out of nothing. As he has again!

At the CPAC meeting he announced he was signing an executive order requiring free speech on college campuses.

I was not aware it was being denied. I also was under the impression that it was generally liberal students who had their free speech rights abused.

This time a conservative activist. Not a student. At the University of California at Berkley campus helping the right wing group Turning Point USA.

He got punched in the face. Trump has turned one conservative attack into it happens everywhere! No more, he said. If “they” continue, he will cut off all federal grant monies to that particular college.

What bravado! He has now made college attacks on conservatives a problem. He has created a situation where in reality few existed.

Two additional points re Trump. Sort of go together.

A personality cult has resulted. Trump their god.

John McCain was insulted a day or two before Trump’s appearance at CPAC by conservative Michelle Malkin. She attacked the “ghost of John McCain.”

Trump said nothing in his appearance to correct her words. Thereby condoning the words.

Is their no respect for the dead? Trump could not hold a candle to McCain for anything. Neither bravery, combat, honesty, etc. McCain was a true conservative. Trump is not.

What bothers me is that a poll taken following the “ghost” thing found Trump’s popularity rating had risen to 46 percent.

Beware America!

The other half of the story involves Hurricane Michael, FEMA and federal assistance.

Florida’s Panhandle got killed! No question about it. Here 4 months post Michael and thousands still living in tents. Delivery of FEMA trailers slow. Extremely slow.

People of the Panhandle consider themselves forgotten. Trump continuing to fail natural disaster victims.

It’s all about money. Trump is reluctant to spend proper amounts of money to help his people. We are all his people.

He might be saving up for the wall.

March an important month in recognizing a very special group. March is Women’s History Month.

Forget them not! I feel we men have screwed up the world sufficiently. It is the time for women! They can do no worse. Perhaps, better.

Have to hustle. Heart doctor this morning.

Enjoy your day!

One conservative under attack, all must be. so hero Trump before CPAC introduces the activist and says no more…..

Trump has had 3 careers so far. Contractor, TV personality, and President. He is on his way to a fourth. Stand up comic. As was evidenced yesterday when for 2 hours he had the CPAC audience rolling in the aisles.

The man is a born humorist.

Though painful. He cares not who he hurts in the process.

One of Trump’s many problems is he is not a man of principle. He is not the “give me liberty or give me death” type. Nor, “I regret I have but one life to give for my country.”

The principle problem clearly evidenced itself with Otto Warmbier and Jamal Khashoggi. Disappointingly so.

Trump explained yesterday he could not accuse Kim of responsibility/complacency with regard to Warmbier. After all, he was trying to negotiate with Kim and it would have made his job difficult.

Trump screwed up even though he failed to take Kim on re Warmbier.

A similar situation has existed with regard Khashoggi and Saudi Arabia. Trump has relationships with the Saudis that he does not want to affect.

Warmbier an American citizen. Khashoggi an American resident. You stand up for your own regardless of the consequences. Such is principle. Character. Trump having failed to stand up for these two diminishes respect for the U.S. and as well as himself. Kim and the Saudis must consider him a joke. A person they can easily deal with.

Such conduct emboldens other dictators in the world to disrespect, torture and kill Americans. With impunity.

For shame.

My day yesterday began with  the Syracuse/Wake Forest game at noon. Syracuse won by 25 points. 79-54. Syracuse played well. A lot of driving. Wake Forest was the lesser team.

Only one week left in league play. Syracuse has 2 games scheduled this week. The first monday night against Virginia. Virginia ranked #2 nationally. Syracuse remains unranked.

Would be great if Syracuse should win. Syracuse beat #1 Duke. No reason why a victory against Virginia is not obtainable.

Last night, the Chart Room first.

Ted from Wampsville in town. Told John the night before he was looking for me. I thought I would run into him. Did not. It is a long week. We will meet before he leaves. Perhaps for the Syracuse game tomorrow night at the Chart Room.

Mary and Elena came in. Some interesting chat. Ended up going to dinner with Mary. As her guest!

Walked Duval on the way to La Trattoria. The Duval Promenade on going. Its third week. Looks better each week. Merchants better organized with outside tables, etc. More people.

Tiffany bartending. I have known her for 25 years. First met her when she was bartending at Antonia’s. A great personality.

Enjoyed antipasto and pennes with oil and garlic. Satisfied a desire. Negated any type activity with Mary following dinner.

Three events tonight. Hopefully will make at least one. The Gardens, Hot Dog Church, and Terri White singing with Larry Baeder at The Key West Theater.

Tomorrow a significant day in history. On February 4, 1861, Abraham Lincoln was inaugurated for the first time. Twenty five thousand people watched.

It is estimated Trump drew 300,000 to 600,000. I am surprised Trump has not yet informed the world that he drew more people to his inauguration than Lincoln did.

The country was split at the time. South against North. Rivalry and hatred ran deep. Similar to the disruption between Republicans and Democrats today.

Lincoln said in his acceptance speech, “We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies.”

His words were not heard then. Can they be heard today? Difficult.

Love robots! The new world of machine domination is upon us. Except, very few are aware of it. The ordinary citizen as well as the politician.

Companies are switching over to robots. The bottom line the reason. Cheaper to operate with machines than humans.

Walmart had a profitable year last year. Blowout earnings were reported a few days ago. The increased profit due primarily to surging on line sales.

Walmart reported this past week that it is eliminating its graveyard shift in hundreds of its stores. The human force to be replaced by a “labor saving product.” Robots.

The move will cut Walmart’s operating costs dramatically. It will also result in many humans losing their jobs. Which opens another wound. Trump has done nothing to ready the U.S. for what is occurring. Retraining programs needed. Or, a lot more people are going to be on the unemployment rolls.

I do not blame Trump alone. Obama paid little attention to the problem also.

Enjoy your Sunday!

There are more US $100 bills in circulation than US $1 bills.

Hard to believe.

I don’t see it. I always have many $1 bills in my pocket. Rarely $100 ones unless I ask specifically for a few at a bank.

All linked to global corruption and hoarding. Twelve billion of them. Eighty percent located overseas.

Those involved in crime related ventures use the $100 bills to transact business. No checks. Bills not traceable.

Then there are those who fear an economic collapse. They hoard $100 bills.

Finally, there are those who do not wish anyone, government or otherwise, to know the extent of their assets. Secrete $100 bills.

Interesting.

Some nights are special. Last night was one of them. I had dinner with Donna and Terri. We had a roaring time. From 7-10. We were the last to leave.

We ate at Hurricane Hole. Probably a year since I was last there. What a difference a year makes! Expanded. At least one third more tables. Even a large kids area. A  2 story pirate ship with slides and other things to keep the young ones occupied. While mom and dad enjoy a quiet meal. One eye on the food, the other on their child/children.

The season unusually good. Many tourists. Evident by the number standing and waiting for a table.

A great afternoon ahead. Syracuse/Wake Forest. At Wake Forest. Syracuse a 7.5 point favorite.

I assume we will win. Hopefully.

I will be lounging in an easy chair in the living room watching the game. Tip off time noon.

A special honor has been bestowed upon Key West. A high honor. The USS Billings will be commissioned in August in Key West. Full ceremony.

The Billings is a littoral combat ship that specializes in support roles such as mine countermeasures and anti-submarine warfare.

Key West has only had one other such honor. In 2011, the USS Spruance was commissioned here.

I want to congratulate our President. He did it again. Screwed something up!

He has threatened Venezuela with invasion, sent the Vice-President on the road to rabble rouse Venezuelan neighbors, shipped goods to the border, etc.

Trump is not being humanitarian. He wants control of the oil reserves. The largest in the world.

So does Russia. Putin smart. He sits back and does relatively nothing. Lets Trump rant, rave and raise hell.

Maduro had enough. He announced yesterday that he was moving Venezuela’s state owned oil firm PDVSA’s office to Moscow.

Congratulations, Mr. President! You did good! It never ends. Putin outfoxing you. You are no competition for your “friend” Putin?

Trump had another “victory” this past week. The summit with Kim in Hanoi.

Trump suggests he and Kim have a kumbaya relationship. Trump “loves” Kim.

Didn’t end that way in Hanoi.

The two did not even appear together at the end of the summit. Nothing was accomplished. Trump immediately went on the air without Kim and explained why.

Several hours later, 2 North Korean delegates did a press conference. A rarity for the North Koreans. They indicated the facts were not as represented by Trump.

Keep it up, Mr. President! You are doing a terrific job! First you alienate our allies and pursue dictators. Your new found friends. Now you are pissing the dictators off.

Who will be left to love us in the end?

The U.S. will be alone by the telephone.

Tonight, I don’t know. The Chart Room first, of course. Then where ever the evening takes me.

Enjoy your day!

When will anyone beside employers and manufacturers begin to be concerned with robots? They are not just coming. They are here!

In increasing numbers.

Last year was a record year for robot usage in the U.S. Up 16 percent from 2017. Robots popular because they cut labor costs dramatically. Important in the U.S. since the highest cost factor in  a business are the workers.

Trump promised to bring industry back to America. In some ways he has succeeded. Not enough, but give the devil his due. The problem is Trump does not recognize that the returning industries will look to robots instead of humans in order to cut costs.

Which means America’s labor force has to be retrained. Trump has paid no attention to this problem.

Robot acquisition is moving rapidly. More and diverse businesses are acquiring them. Would you believe Major League Baseball?

Yes, Major League Baseball.

Major League Baseball recently signed a contract with the independent Atlantic League to test using robots as umpires. The test period three years.

Man against machine! It is going to be dramatic when a manager throws dirt at the robot ump and the ump throws his arm out and says…..You’re out!

Professional umpires are costly. Even Major League Baseball seeks to cut costs.

My outside activities yesterday began at 4. A 1.5 hour guest appearance on Laurie Thibaud’s Party Time radio show station 105.7 FM, WGAY FM.

Always fun! We are getting better with each other. The give and take. Laurie is terrific!

Following Laurie’s show, I walked over to the Chart Room. Tammy bartending. Some happy faces at the bar. Season time. Everyone is happy.

Met a couple. Cannot recall the name of the husband. Sorry. The husband retired 2 years ago. I remember the wife’s name. Mary. A stay at home Mom, her lifetime job was raising their 3 children.

Spent some time with Hercules and Sue. Loved being with them! Contemporaries. Both in their mid to late 80’s. Live near Chicago.

Hercules a retired municipal attorney. Sue a Smith graduate who became a Mom.

Interesting. Met 2 different ladies. Each’s career being a mother.

Then to the Blue Macaw. Packed. Happy Hour not over yet.

Ran into Andrea and Phil. Had not seen them in a couple of weeks. Good people. I enjoy their company.

One drink and I left. Needed to grocery shop. Refrigerator and cupboards empty at home.

Saw the new VFW on the Boulevard and decided to stop for a sandwich before shopping. I use to visit before Irma. Irma knocked the hell out of the building.

Good crowd. As usual. I enjoyed a Philly cheese steak sandwich.

Met Anton and Chris. Both fortyish. Civilians employed by the Joint Interdiction Task Force.

Interesting guys. Interesting work. One or both responsible for protecting the internet against hackers.

We had an interesting political discussion. One a Trump supporter, the other not. The conversation testy on occasion.

Finally, Publix. Closing time always a good time to shop. Few shoppers. Since I know what I want, I can zoom up and down the aisles and be done in 10-15 minutes.

Donna and Terri are taking me out to dinner tonight. Hurricane Hole. A guaranteed fun evening.

The Key West Custom House is one of the island’s premier historical spots.

The federal government constructed the building sometime around the mid 1890’s. The Custom House’s claim to fame from an historical perspective occurred because of the sinking of the Battleship Maine in Havana Harbor in 1898. On this day in 1898, the Navy Court of Inquiry met at the Custom House to investigate and determine the cause of the sinking.

The sinking and inquiry led to the Spanish-American War.

Syracuse/Wake Forest at noon tomorrow. I have no idea who will win. The season has been frustrating.

Israel’s Netanyahu and Trump are birds of a feather. With one difference. Netanyahu has a brain.

Netanyahu has changed over the years. Become increasingly autocratic. A warmonger. Not merely in defense of Israel. In order to establish Israel as the power in  Middle East.

He wants to take Iran down. He consistently seeks support of other nations to think his way and assist Israel if it comes to a war with Iran.

Trump dances to Netanyahu’s tune. Should war with Iran come, he wants the full support of the U.S. Trump will find a reason to join with Netanyahu.

The Israel/Gaza border problem increases in intensity every day. Each side responsible at different times. Occasionally, one side gets out of hand.

Recently, the UN Human Rights Council determined Israel violated international law when it intentionally shot children and journalists in Gaza. Part of a larger protesting group. Many died, including 35 children.

This past week, the Palestinian Governor of Jerusalem was arrested by Israeli forces. Israel has not yet advised why the man was arrested.

The Gaza problem and Palestinian Jerusalem problems occurred under Netanyahu’s watch.

Israeli elections to be held soon. Netanyahu a candidate once again. Yesterday’s news may affect his chances. It was announced by Israel’s Attorney General yesterday that Netanyahu had been arrested for bribery, fraud, and breach of trust.

Yetanyahu and Trump birds of a feather. Commit dangerous acts and walk under a black cloud of alleged criminal involvement.

Enjoy your day!

A big time double header yesterday. Consumed the world stage. Michael Cohen in Washington before a House Committee. Donald Trump in Hanoi with North Korea’s Kim.

Both disappointing.

I was glued to the TV all day till around 5 watching Cohen testifying. He came across sincere. Honest, also. Although his word hard to accept by those who hold his plea of lying to Congress as negating his telling the truth ever again.

Other than the check for $35,000 bearing Trump’s signature, I was unimpressed. Probably because we all have heard too many times recently the story from his perspective.

His words will affect Trump. Will probably lead to a charge or two against Trump.

From the beginning of this investigation 2 years ago, I have said the same thing. That which will get Trump is laundering money. He had too many transactions with Russian banks and Russian people. Especially condo sales for amounts far in excess of their value.

Money laundering will fall on at least one member of his family also.

The Republicans behaved like asses. Instead of chasing him on the evidence, they kept challenging his veracity because of his guilty pleas.

Moving to Hanoi, Trump’s failure in achieving anything his own fault. He knows everything and claims he does not need the State Department to help. Understand that since Trump became President, the State Department is dramatically understaffed.

Kim out foxed Trump once again. He has become a major world figure by having Trump visit him 2 times in less than a year.

As I wrote yesterday or the day before, expecting Kim to give up nuclear weapons is like expecting Mexico to pay for the wall.

I am disappointed with TV’s political pundits this morning. Most consider Trump to have acted wisely in going slow and not making a deal. He could not make a deal without giving away the whole farm.

Trump was desperate to make a deal.

The next week will tell what really occurred in Hanoi. So far, we only have Trump’s word as to what happened. His word unfortunately cannot be depended upon.

The game plan for last night was a manicure and then a Key West Black History presentation at the San Carlos at 6.

Saw Tammy at 4:30. What a business she and husband Ricky have! She the immigrant 14 years ago. A citizen today, owns her business with Ricky, owns her home, has 2 children, employs 8 people.

A contributing citizen!

It was early. Still had time to kill before the lecture. Stopped at Aqua’s Side Bar looking for David. No David. Walked over to La Tratttoria. Enjoyed a drink at the bar and friendly chat with Carrie.

Then walked over to San Carlos. Got there 5:50. Lecture to begin at 6. Was told it had already started at 5:30. I was not at fault. Chatted with some others afterwards who were late also. Newspaper had it scheduled for 6.

Six persons participating. All local. All knowledgeable re the issue. One old enough to have lived through some of the more interesting times.

Decided to have dinner. It’s season. No room at La Trattoria or Antonia’s. Got in the car and drove to Harpoon Harry’s. Realized it was wednesday night and the special was turkey dinner.

Enjoyed the dinner. Sat and read the newspapers for a while. Home well before 9.

I am guesting on Laurie Thibaud’s radio show at 4 today. Party Time. Station 105.7 FM, WGAY FM. Join us. We make interesting talk together.

Then across the street to the Chart Room.

I have been critical of Trump and FEMA. Hurricane bills not being paid. Trump is stiffing States and municipalities. Either failing to send money or refusing to honor bills for aide provided.

The problem consistent. Still ongoing. Puerto Rico, Florida, Georgia, the Carolinas, California wild fires, etc. waitin

A local example. A serious one. It will affect our Monroe County taxes to the tune of $6.6 million.

The Marathon area was severely hit by Irma. The damage ran down to Cudjoe Key. The County immediately erected tents to house first responders from outside the area. over a period io

Seven large air conditioned tents were erected. Included within the tents, a mess hall, laundry facility, showers and a sleeping area.

FEMA supposed to pay. Monroe County submitted an application for charges incurred to the tune of $6.6 million.

FEMA has ejected the application.

FEMA apparently has no issue with the establishment of the base camp and its use. FEMA’s problem is with the paperwork submitted. FEMA claims the County did not follow proper procurement procedures and proper documentation.

What bullshit! A category 3-4 hurricane hit the Marathon area. Immediate help needed. Everything including people had to come from the outside. Urgency required, not a receipt.

Marathon is typical of the rest of the U.S. Trump has been a failure in covering costs for which the federal government is normally responsible.

The federal government was also billed $44 million by Monroe County for other items. Most of the $44 million borrowed from banks. Per the direction of Washington. The feds told states and municipalities to borrow monies needed from banks. The Federal government would provide reimbursement down the road.

Of the $44 million, only $6 million of the debt has been reimbursed/paid.

Typical of today’s Washington. Trump goes on TV following a disaster and says in effect don’t worry, do what has to be done, we have the money.

Ben Hecht was a famous screen writer. He was born on this day in 1894.

Hecht has a Key  West tie-in. He wrote the screenplays for Hemingway’s The Sun Also Rises and A Farewell to Arms.

Hecht also wrote the screenplays for 3 of my favorite movies. It’s A Wonderful World, Wuthering Heights, and Gunga Din. He collaborated on Gone With the Wind.

My arm is getting better. Swelling down about 60 percent. Most of the fluid having slid down my arm where it is longer and thinner.

I’m glad I did not break the arm or a hip. Always a concern at my age.

Enjoy your day!

Three well known, well liked, Key West area persons died this past week. George Weber, Frank Holden, and Jim Cameron. I knew each.

Brought to mind what I always thought was an old wives’ tale of Italian origin: Death comes in threes.

I googled and searched. Not described as an old wives’ tale. Believed by many world wide, however. Not merely as to death. As to anything. If something happens twice in a short period of time, expect a third to occur.

I grew up in an Italian home. My mother was born in Italy. My father here of Italian immigrant parents. Everyone was Italian back then. We lived in what I describe as an Italian ghetto. Who knew of Irish, Poles, Germans, etc. There were only Italian people.

My mother, father, grandparents, relatives, friends, all thought the same way.

One of those “thoughts” occurred if 2 persons you knew died in a close time frame. The question  arose who would be next. Death happened in threes. No one questioned it.

I have not thought about the 3 death thing in years. The deaths of George, Frank, and Jim returned it to mind.

Do I believe it? I don’t know. However rest assured I shall think of it as others I know pass on. I am sufficiently close to death that the issue is of thoughtful concern.

Another custom involving death comes to mind.

Italians believed that after visiting the funeral home or home where the body lay, or going to a funeral service, one was not to return directly home. Death would follow. I recall many instances where my parents and I would stop for coffee, ice cream, or something to eat first. Another stop was visiting friends.

The old ways. Never leave us. Forgotten for a time. Guaranteed to return.

Big day today! World wide!

Michael Cohen testifies before a House Committee. The hearing open. It is anticipated he will reveal things about Trump. Some not mentioned before.

His appearance supposedly dangerous to Trump. I shall be glued to the TV all day watching.

The other event is the closing of the Trump-Kim summit in Vietnam. What will Trump give away this time? What if anything will he receive in return? Will Kim take advantage of Trump once again?

Interesting questions.

A personal observation. Kim giving up nuclear weapons is as certain as Mexico paying for the wall. Trump deludes himself once more.

We sometimes forget there is more to the world than the United States. and certain other countries such as Venezuela, Russia, China, and others frequently in the news.

Other nations do exist. Nations who have nuclear weapons. Nations that we rarely think or hear about, however.

Like India and Pakistan.

The 2 nations were one. India. Till 1947 when partition occurred which lead to 2 nations.

A sloppy separation of India. Remaking boundaries generally are. The split displaced 14 million persons along religious lines. A problem ever since. India and Pakistan have hated each other all these years.

Both have been rapidly developing. Both have nuclear weapons.

The past few days they are playing war games. Perhaps the beginning of war itself. Both sending planes over each other’s lands. Aerial shootings.

The question arises as to whether what is yet a minor conflict will reach the nuclear threshold. Hopefully not.

Amazing that the nations we expect could cause World War III are the United States, China and Russia. Not 2 nations from left field.

Syracuse basketball last night following Tuesday Talk With Key West Lou. Lost again. North Carolina topped Syracuse 93-85.

Pain!

Syracuse was to have had a great team this year. Many players returning. Excellent recruits. Syracuse won some big games. Lost too many to poorer teams, however.

It was not to be.

Sad!

Enjoy your day!

I fell.

Last night at 10. Had dinner with Mary and was walking to my car parked behind the Simonton Fire Station. Walking down the path running along side Antonia’s.

I just fell! Ground level. Brick walk way level. Didn’t trip on anything. Etc.

Sober. Only 2 drinks before dinner.

Why did I fall? Bothers me I do not know why. Recall I used to fall a lot several years ago. Then did a year of physiotherapy. Learned how NOT to fall.

My left elbow took the brunt of the fall. Followed by my left butt cheek and left knee. Cuts on my back, also.

When I went to bed, I noticed a bulge on my elbow. Size of a golf ball. This morning, a grapefruit. No pain. Felt like a sack of water.

Arranged for an immediate doctor visit. Thought the elbow was fractured.

Turns out a ton of fluid was released. Will take 1-2 weeks to get absorbed. If I feel heat in the meantime, instructed to call the doctor immediately. Means the fluid has become infected.

My friends, senior citizenry and falling go hand in hand. Besides the danger of a hip fracture, it is extremely difficult to get up. Even with help. The body is dead weight.

I was fortunate Mary was along. It still took a good 10 minutes to get me on my feet.

I am beginning this blog at 11:45. Ergo will be short. I have yet to get ready for my podcast show tonight.

Started last night at Aqua. Dueling Bartenders. Terri sang. Beautifully!

Afterwards joined Mary for diner at Antonia’s. Pleasant meal. Salmon over gnocchi.

Then the fall.

Another Key West friend passed on this week. Frank Holden. Also known as Captain Frank.

Quiet, soft spoken.

Enjoyed an interesting career. He captained a large private vessel. Huge. Same boat, same owner. For 20 or 30 years.

What a job! Frank lived on the boat even when its owner was elsewhere. Which was often.

Frank was a member of the Conch Republic Navy. If I recall correctly, Admiral at the present time.

Frank and Jean Thornton were very close. I have already expressed my sympathies to her.

Podcast time!

Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou tonight at 9. A half hour of Louis ranting and raving about this and that. Always an interesting show. Join me. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou.

Trump playing the most powerful man on Earth at the moment. In another historic meeting with Kim Jung Un.

Nothing of value will result. Kim too smart for Trump. Trump does not know his ass from his elbow when it comes to international diplomacy.

When the meeting is over, Trump will declare victory. The danger of war gone. He accomplished what no prior President could.

Sort of like Neville Chamberlain’s “Peace In Our Lifetime!” as he was stepping off the plane which returned him home after his historic meeting with Hitler.

How long did the “peace” last? One or two years.

Trump wants two things out of this meeting.

First, he has been laying the ground work to some day build a Trump Tower hotel in North Korea. He keeps telling Kim that North Korea is a natural. Set between China and Japan.

Second, Trump wants to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. For having resolved the North Korea crisis. Good luck! I cannot believe the selection committee would be that blind or stupid.

Re the Nobel Peace Prize, Japan’s President nominated Trump for the award. He said Trump asked him to do so.

I have been following Maduro and Venezuela for 5 years. Ever since families began eating their family pets.

Two reasons why Trump will fail in his efforts to get a war going with the U.S. leading the pack.

It is necessary for the Army to switch its allegiance to the usurper who claims he now is President. Only with the Army behind him and a supporting U.S. intervention can the new man win.

It will never happen. The Army leaders are happy. They are part of the graft and corruption at the top. They and their families live and eat well.

The other reason Trump is destined to fail is he does not really care about the Venezuelan people. Here is a man who continues to fail many of Hurricane Michael victims in the Panhandle and Georgia. Don’t tell me his heart bleeds for the Venezuelans.

Trump wants the oil! Venezuela has the largest oil reserves in the world.

Trump forgets Russia wants the oil reserves, also. China stands with Russia in this regard. I find it hard to believe Russia would let the U.S. get control of  Venezuelan oil.

Enjoy your day!

Yesterday, I solely wrote re the Catholic Church and sex. Today, no Catholic Church, no sex.

Came across a piece this morning advising that on this day in 1873 Enrico Caruso was born. Caruso the great operatic tenor of his time.

Born in Naples, he immigrated to New York. His finest years were spent at the Metropolitan Opera House. The tenor of the day. No one comparable. His main years on the Metropolitan’s stage 1895-1920.

My grandfather Louis, after whom I am proud to have been named, was born in Naples also. Around 1910, he came to the United States at the age of 12.

I loved my father’s parents deeply. I look forward to the day my grandparents, parents, and I will be together again in the after life.

My grandfather was a lover of music. Italian classical music. Opera, especially.

In his living room, he had the phonograph of the day. Manufactured by the Victor Talking Machine Company. Stood tall and black. Four legs. The top opened by hand. Inside lie room for a record to be placed.

The machine was operated by hand. On the side was a long handle which had to be manually turned. In other words, the phonograph as it would be called today had to be wound up to run.

On the inside of the lid was its distinguishing mark. A small sitting dog. The dog in front of and looking into a cylinder gramophone. The words underneath…..His Master’s Voice.

My grandfather had a slew of 78’s. Most Italian and operatic. Most the voice of Enrico Caruso. He especially enjoyed listening to Caruso’s Vesti la giubba from Pagliachi.

I frequently listened with him.

My grandfather trusted me with his records and machine. From the time I was 3-4, I was permitted to operate and listen alone. My grandfather away at work and my grandmother in the kitchen.

I gloried in those moments. This young man sitting in a huge easy chair, his feet not even able to touch the floor, enjoying a greatness that my grandfather knew and to which he had exposed me.

Kate Miano’s Gardens at 5 yesterday. Terri singing.

The Gardens were packed. Easily 200 plus. Strangely, I knew no one other than Terri and Donna. Donna had saved me a seat up front.

Terri her usual magnificent self.

I had not felt well all day. For some reason, my body is off. I could not get comfortable. At intermission, I left.

Walked up the street to Hot Dog Church. Only a few participants left. Chatted with Laurie and a couple of the ladies and left. Still feeling weird.

Decided a good meal would help. No room at Antonia’s or La Trattoria. Ended up having a grilled cheese sandwich at Mary Ellen’s. As good as any food I could have ordered at Antonia’s or La Trattoria.

If you have not experienced Mary Ellen’s go! On the side street around the corner from La Trattoria. Grilled cheese and tomato soup to die for!

Then home to watch the Academy Awards. An experience I enjoy.

The acceptance speeches by the winners for Best Actor and Actress among the best I have head.

Rami Malek for the men. His memorable words that his parents immigrated from Egypt and he was first generation. Look at me, in effect. At the pinnacle of his success. A comment also saying don’t knock immigrants or immigration.

Olivia Colman won for the ladies. I never heard of her before. I had been pulling for Glenn Close. She is getting on, time is escaping her. She may not have another chance. Hopefully, I am wrong. I see her winning her first and only Oscar as John Wayne did. Late in his career.

Whatever, Olivia gave the best acceptance speech I ever heard. It was obvious she did not expect to win. She mumbled about this and that, all the time crying. She shouted out to Close that she thought Close should have won and she was sorry. As to Lady Gaga, she said something to the effect….Oh, my God, I beat Lady Gaga.

God bless them all and future good luck!

Aqua’s Dueling Bartenders tonight. Terri guest performer.

Terri appears to be working more now than before she became blind. She had her usual sunday late morning gig at Hard Rock cafe. The Gardens last night. Dueling Bartenders tonight.

Her sight may be gone. However, her voice not. Sometimes, I think even better than before.

The Everglades perfect for reptile breeding. And other type strange non-humans. Florida has failed to protect against 2 invaders. The Burma python and iguanas.

Waited too long. The State admits it will never be able to eradicate pythons. Hopefully merely contain their growth. Containment thus far, a failure.

Iguanas has only recent come to the State’s attention as a problem. Though we have all been complaining about their growing numbers for 20 years. The State looking for a solution to the invasion. Hope time does not stand in the way as it has with pythons.

The reason I share with you thoughts re exotic reptiles is Florida has a new one. The anaconda. A snake. Weighs up to 550 pounds. A big mother! Hope the State moves its ass rapidly with this one.

Key  West has had many business ventures that proved highly successful. Shipping, salvage, sponge fishing, shrimp fishing, cigar making, come to mind. The businesses come and go. However, always a new one to replace the one that just left.

Key West was a world wide port in 1892. The Key West Custom House collected $827,147.79 in import duties that year. The amount being more than the rest of Florida, Georgia and Alabama combined.

Enjoy your day!