Trump dislikes soldiers, veterans and now Jimmy Carter. He admires the likes of Putin, Erdogan and Kim Jung Un.

Jimmy Carter is still alive and kicking. God bless him! He recently celebrated his 100th birthday. Rather than congratulating him, Trump mocked Carter. A man who has spent the last 19 months of his life in hospice. Trump refused to label Carter the worst President in U.S. history. The title was Biden’s, he said.

Trump claimed by his labeling Biden the worst, he made Carter “the happiest man because Carter is considered a brilliant President by comparison.”

Carter has spoken out against Trump for several years. In 2018, Trump was “very careless with the truth.” In November 2023 just before his wife Rosalynn died, Carter said, “I think he’s a disaster…..In human rights and in treating people equally.” Carter’s words were followed by his wife Rosalynn’s who died that same month: “The worst is that he is not telling the truth, and lies about everything.”

Trump’s meanness is exposed at every turn of his life. In addition to his being known as a liar. The “qualities” that will reflect his life historically after his death.

The U.S. Supreme Court’s immunity decision was another pro-Trump decision in a recent batch of such by the no longer independent Court. It was thought to “kill” the January 6 case against Trump. The imposition of “official acts” versus “non-official acts.” It was thought by many to end any responsibility on Trump’s part for January 6.

Do not underestimate Special Counsel Jack Smith! He redid the government’s pleading against Trump to comply with the decision. One hundred sixty five pages. The Judge permitted its publication yesterday. Wow! Smith is earning his salary! A remarkable legal work. Trump is back in the case. All his down and dirty deeds spelled out consistent with the errant Supreme Court decision.

Especially Trump’s attitude and actions re Pence. Including not caring about his possible death. Smith spelled out the many persons involved in Trump’s scheme even in the days and planning leading up to January 6.

The important thing at the moment is the Judge’s permitting Smith’s response to be published. It should have been. But who knows what judges will do these days. The American people have a right to know how devious Trump and his friends were in trying to block the January Constitutional certification of the votes of each State.

The publication and truth it reveals in glaring detail will cost Donald a few votes.

Hurricane Helene a disaster. No question about it. The worst hurricane ever to hit the U.S. Ten states involved. The destruction unbelievable. Deaths now at 190, with hundreds of persons still unaccounted for. The number will rise significantly.

It appears Biden and Harris’ people are doing their best. Beyond their best. They have everyone moving their asses to get water and food to those in need, as well as making power repairs, etc. Some will complain. Can’t blame them. In such an horrific situation, help cannot come fast enough no matter how fast.

Biden and Harris toured some of the battered areas yesterday. Biden is returning today. People need to see their leaders in addition to getting the help required. People want to know their leaders care.

Trump visited first. Criticized Biden and Harris. Said places like Georgia were being ignored. Trump claimed Georgia’s Governor Kemp could not get to talk with Biden. Trump lying again. Both Kemp and Biden jumped in to challenge Trump. They had been talking. Kemp was satisfied with the help he was getting. Even so far as Biden telling him to call him directly for anything.

Which brings me to how “good” Trump was in helping Puerto Rico. Recall Hurricane Maria and the number it did on Puerto Rico in 2017. Whole neighborhoods are still waiting 7 years later for assistance. Trump ignored Puerto Rico. Apparently intentionally

Trump visited Puerto Rico. Remember the help he brought. He threw rolls of paper towels to people. When they needed water, food and money.

The Mayor of San Juan and others said there was no help forthcoming or very little. Trump disagreed and in effect referred to them as cry babies.

Turns out Puerto Ricans were speaking the truth. The island is still in need of massive assistance. Seven years later. It was revealed thursday by the U.S. Office of Inspector General that Trump blocked $20 billion initially and more of it still has not been sent to Puerto Rico. It was further reported that Trump back then told top White House officials “he did not want a single dollar going to Puerto Rico.”  This information has only recently been brought to Biden’s attention and he has ordered the money released.

Further word is Trump said at the time he wanted money sent to Texas and Florida rather than Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico’s hurricane not kid stuff. Almost 3,000 died.

Trump…..Everyone’s President?

Trump still at it with Springfield. He said yesterday, “They have to be removed.” The cats and dogs? No, I assume he was referring to the Haitians.

The Longshoremen’s strike not what it appears. Politics involved. A bad time to strike. But, get what you an at the best possible time I guess.

It is not salary which motivated the strike. The dock workers make $39 an hour. They are seeking a $5 an hour raise over the next 6 years. The issue from their perspective is automation. It’s coming. Around the corner. Humans required to work the docks will be few. Robotic machinery will do it. What happens then to today’s employees. A proper issue. However lets be upfront about it. Automation and  not wages the issue. Biden’s team and the Union make it look like wages.

“The shot heard around he world.” Historically the first shot of the Revolution at Lexington and Concord. Verbalized in an 1837 poem titled Concord Hymn.

To baseball fans, Bobby Thompson’s home run in the 9th inning of a National League playoff title game played this day in 1951. The New York Giants and Brooklyn Dodgers had ended the season tied. A three game playoff was ordered to decide who would represent the National League in the World Series. There were no play offs back then as today.

The Giants and Dodgers each won a game. The third was for everything.

It was the bottom of the 9th. The Dodgers were winning 4-1. This was it for the Giants.

The Giants got it to 4-2 by scoring one run. The Giant’s Thompson came to the plate. Two men on base. He hit a home run thrown on a pitch by Ralph Branca. The Giants won 5-4. Everyone went crazy! Those at the game, the radio announcer, no TV at the time, everyone listening on the radio around the world. Thompson’s home run became “the shot heard around the world!”

I recall it distinctly. Everything was baseball back then! I was working at my after high school job at the McHarris Super Market at the time stacking canned goods. The game was being played on the radio for everyone to hear. When the home run was hit, everyone yelled and screamed, including me, at McHarris’, the ball park and over the radio.

A game not to be forgotten. Thompson and Branca recalled also.

Interestingly, two days earlier Branca had given up a home run to Thompson also.

I close with a bit of O. J. Simpson.

October 3 the key day.

On that day in 1995, Simpson was found not guilty by the jury in the criminal case against him for the murder of his wife Nicole and her boy friend.

On the same day 13 years later in 2008, Simpson was found guilty of holding up two sports memorabilia dealers in Las Vegas with a gun and sentenced to from 9 to 33 years in jail He was paroled in 2017. Many thought the guilty finding in this case was poetic justice for the not guilty decision in the death cases. Many in the U.S. considered Simpson guilty re the killings.

Enjoy your day!

The Vice Presidential debate was last night. 

My thoughts.

Walz started off slowly. I feared it was going to be another Biden evening. He was not himself. He was stiff. His eyes looked like they were going to pop out of his head. His lips like they were not going to open. His note taking drove me crazy. Neither needed nor time for it when you are working with a 2 minute/1 minute situation. You remember what has to be said without jotting things down. It’s automatic. Walz looked like he feared he would not recall that which he had to.

I do not know what it is. Debates before millions scare the shit out of many. Also, a newbie to it like Walz might tend to be over trained for the event.

However, Walz came back about half way through the debate. He started being himself. Shortly, he was and did an extremely admirable job the rest of the way out.

He exposed a conciliatory side of himself. Vance would lie or be offensive or whatever. Walz would then try in his special fashion to soft talk the opposition to his way of seeing things. Such is how it should be in government. Politics is the art of negotiation! Compromise! Walz had it down to a science and brought Vance around to considering his way of thinking on occasion.

Vance is an excellent speaker, debater. He is also a terrific liar. Better than Trump. He is also skillful at failing to respond to a question or issue. 

A lot of issues were not even entertained. The cats and dogs issue. I would have buried Vance with it. Where was the Ukraine? Perhaps the moderators were to blame for not zeroing in on these issues. Walz could have gotten into Springfield more one way or another.

The winner? Neither. In the end, they had balanced each other out.

The Middle East is getting more messy. Iran may have made a major error yesterday in trying to dump 180 ballistic missiles on Israel.

The two nations are balanced in a sense. Iran has some 80 million people to Israel’s 10 million. On the other hand, Israel’s military capacity so far outweighs the population edge Iran has to balance it out.

Iran may have made a mistake in directly attacking Israel. Normally Iran has others do it and finances the situation. Israel will retaliate. Sooner than later. I would make it a heavy one. A lesson to Iran to fuck off and pay for going as far as it did. Perhaps to also warn Iran to begin backing off in financing other groups against them. A land attack is not required.

A dentist visit yesterday. I an finally getting to the end of my goal. I have been without teeth since late January. Lost 65 pounds since my eating has been limited to liquids. Dr. Mullen told me yesterday next week my mouth will be finished. I will leave with a full set of teeth! He is completing the caps portion.

I am excited! Thrilled! I have to share my joy.

Enjoy your day!

Helene will go down as the worst hurricane of the modern era. Worse than Andrew which wiped out portions of northern Florida in 1992.

Helene has trampled big time on at least 9 states. And still ongoing. The states are Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, Kentucky and Ohio. Death numbers not locked in yet. This morning anywhere from 89-100. More will be discovered. The cost of recovery estimated as high as $110 billion. Don’t be surprised if it is more. Much more.

A crazy hurricane. Wide as it traveled north. As wide as 400 miles from center at times. Inland water destruction to an extent never experienced before. 

The recovery dollars projected are large. Makes sense for a hurricane that did and is still doing so much damage. How do people recover from it? Homes totally destroyed. Others damaged big time. Insurance, you say? Yes, but there is only so much available. Helene will change how insurance companies operate. Even cash rich insurance companies only have so many dollars. As hurricanes get larger and more prevalent, premiums will shoot up. As they have in Florida. Impossible for many to meet. 

Government assistance comes from tax dollars. A limited number also. A village/city looks to the county, state, and federal government for assistance. The county seeks reimbursement from the state and federal government. The federal government in many instances will become the bank of last resort. Governmental levels at some time will find it impossible to meet the expenses of helping their residents. Cleanups cost money. Food and water, also. FEMA will be tapped to the breaking point.

The day I am suggesting is not tomorrow. However, soon. It must be prepared for.

Everything is cause and effect. Hurricanes have gotten worse. Why? I lay it on global warming Whether global warming or what, we must find out what the “what” is and attack it. Otherwise people will not be able to rebuild, will live in tents, wash in streams, toilet in the woods, return to growing their own foods, etc. Government cannot do it all. Our backs are swiftly being pushed to the wall. Figure out the problem and resolve it or prepare to live another way following a hurricane disaster.

The Vice-Presidential debate tomorrow. Will truth or lies win? Going to be interesting.

Vance is not very popular. He is coming over poorly. Two interesting comments I read on the internet. One: “Vance is a good reason for birth control.” The other: “Vance is a perfect example of why some people shouldn’t have children.”

Both excellent!

Trump claims Harris is mentally deficient. If so, he lost the debate to a “mentally disturbed” person. Did not look that way to me.

An interesting article on the internet spelled out how Trump discredits the media. The article spelled out who else did: Lenin, Stalin, Hitler, Mussolini, Castro, Mao, Idi Amin, Pol Pot, Hussein, Assad, Putin, Isis, and Boko Haram.

Heritage’s 2025 aka Trump’s 900 plus page description of what he will do if elected, mentions women 101 times. Men less than 20. Makes us wonder who Trump’s TARGET is.

Spoke with grandson Robert on the phone last night. He is back in Tallahassee. Tallahassee in ok shape. Basically nothing happened.

He agreed he was correct in finally leaving. Glad he did, even though it turned out he did not have to. He thought the media overhyped Tallahassee’s problem. I disagreed.

We had an interesting conversation. I explained wind is fickle. A hurricane is wind. Can move here, there and everywhere at the last minute. Irma the perfect example. The mother was heading directly for Key West. I got out! 

At the last minute, Irma deviated west and went out over the water missing a direct hit on Key West. However Irma turned right again and came back 16 miles later over Cudjoe Key where it did a number on the Keys from Cudjoe north all the way.

I close with peanut butter.

I was grocery shopping yesterday morning at Publix. Needed more JIF. I was out.

At the peanut butter section, my eyes fell on the brand I had never seen before. Teddie All Smooth Peanut Butter. The #1 I wrote about a few days ago.

Bought a large jar. Fifty cents more than JIF’s similar size.

I was excited. Could not wait to get home and try it. My friends, it sucks! The worst! Liquidy. Sticks all over your mouth. 

I refrigerated the jar and tried it again last night. No change. 

I threw it away. Will return to Publix today to buy JIF,

Enjoy your day!

Another live and learn. This one big!

The swastika.

I know, as most of you did, it was Nazi Germany’s symbol. Hitler adopted it as the emblem for the Aryan race. As a result of World War II and the Holocaust, in the West it will continue to be associated with Nazism, anti-Semitism, white supremacism, and unadulterated evil. The symbol has been regurgitated and is again being used by many. 

Its use today in most countries, including Germany, is prohibited by law.

That is what I knew, what many of us know. Some however did and do know more.

The history of the swastika as I recently discovered follows.

An ancient religious and cultural symbol. “Ancient” means going back some 7,000 years. Predominantly found in various Eurasian cultures, as well as some African and American ones. The swastika has never stopped being used as a symbol of divinity and spirituality in Indian religion, including Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism.

The swastika was used for the first time as a symbol of intentional anti-Semitism by far right Romanian politician A. Z. Cuza prior to World War I. Prior thereto and into the 1930’s when Hitler adopted the swastika for his Nazi Party use, the swastika was a symbol of auspiciousness and good luck for most of the Western World.

The swastika remains a symbol of good luck and prosperity in Hindu, Buddhist and Jain countries such as Nepal, India, Thailand, Mongolia, Sri Lanka, China and Japan, and by some peoples such as the Navajos in the southwest United States. It is also commonly used in Hindu marriage ceremonies and Deepavali celebrations.

Again, I never knew.

Helene will be forever recalled.

North Carolina’s devastation described as “Biblical.”

Towns in several states flooded beyond belief.

Deaths up to 64.

Republican politics remain gutter type. Trump yesterday attacked Harris as “mentally impaired” and “mentally disabled.” Claims she “was born that way.”

Bombing is a common war tactic. Has been for many years. When was aerial bombardment utilized as a “weapon of war” for the first time? In the Italo-Turkish War in 1911. Italian airships bombed Turkish positions.

Amazing how swiftly the airplane was utilized as a weapon of war and death. Keep in mind the Wright brothers flew a plane for the first time 8 years earlier in 1903.

The first time a train carried passengers was September 27, 1825 in England. The train carried commercial goods, but had one passenger car attached. The passenger car was called “The Experiment.”

The trains average speed was 8 mph. However when going downhill on one occasion it reached a speed of 15 mph which scared the hell out of everyone.

Strange Key West weather last night and this morning. Everything fine. Normal, except for one thing. Absolutely no wind/breeze. Calmer than calm.

Enjoy your Sunday!

A new Florida law goes into effect October 1 which limits where homeless people can sleep. It is considered contentious.

Concededly, homelessness is a major U.S. problem. Never effectively dealt with. The new Florida law will make the problem more difficult, not resolvable.

The new law allows local governments to prohibit people from sleeping at places such as public buildings and in public right of ways. Local governments will be allowed to designate areas where the homeless may sleep.

All sounds simple. Never is.

Expect major litigation and perhaps demonstrations by homeless groups. I recall years ago when “getting tough” laws found the homeless pitching tents next to the golf course along U.S. 1. The solution took a long time to resolve back then. It will again.

Helene’s aftermath. Devastating.

Helene has left Florida and has run through several states north. Still moving along. Leaving destruction everywhere. Especially from flooding.

I have been following its path on TV and the internet. The pics show horrific destruction.

I have seen 30 years of Florida hurricanes. I would match Helene with Andrew. Both so bad, they walk hand in hand.

A major difference between Helene and Irma. With Helene, boats were left on roads and the ground. Incoming water surge I assume the cause. No cars in the ocean. Whereas with Irma, the boats were on the street and cars in the ocean. I assume wind the culprit with Irma.

A comment from a Cedar Lake resident: “Cedar Lake as we know it is completely gone…..looks like a nuclear bomb went off.”

Helene has brought record surges with it. Fifteen to twenty feet not uncommon in some places.

Water levels rose rapidly after Helene made landfall, flooding homes, forcing people to flee.

Six inches of fast moving water was sufficient to knock people off their feet, two feet to move vehicles.

Millions without power. Could take weeks to totally fix.

Deaths total 40 so far in areas where Helene has been.

Russia did not invent the Molotov cocktail. It was invented in Finland. In 1939, Finland was being invaded by the Soviet Union whose foreign minister was a man named Vyacheslav Molotov.

The Soviets were dropping cluster bombs on the Finns. Molotov jokingly described them as “food parcels.”

The Finns began manufacturing a simple cheap improvised grenade. Since Molotov called his bombs food parcels, the Finns jokingly dubbed their fiery new innovation a “cocktail” which soon was referred to as a “Molotov cocktail.”

Ancient people suffered from dental problems also. Holes appeared in their teeth. What are known as cavities today.

Where did they come from? “Tooth worms.” Not really, but that was what dentists and people thought. They burrowed into teeth and lived there causing cavities and pain.

I do not know how they were treated. The diagnosis, of course, was wrong. The treatment had to be horrendous. There was no anesthesia, nothing to kill the pain.

Calvin Coolidge was a philandering President. He openly “screwed around.”

Sexologists have described/labeled his attitude as the “Coolidge Effect.” It reflects upon his boredom with his wife.

A story oft told about the relationship between the President and his wife: When Mrs. Coolidge was touring government chicken pens, she asked the man in charge if roosters copulated more than once a day. “Dozens of times” was the reply. “Please tell that to the President,” Mrs. Coolidge requested. When the Presidnet passed the pens and was told about the roosters, he asked “Same hen every time?” “Oh no, Mr. President, a different one each time.” The Presidnet quipped, “Tell that to Mrs. Coolidge.”

Herman Melville is one of America’s greatest writers. Two of his novels are “Moby-Dick” and “Billy Budd.”

Melville died this day in 1891.

Things I learned early in my grammar school days for some reason have stuck to me like glue. For example, it was on this day in 1066 that William the Conqueror successfully invaded England.

Normal Key West weather returned yesterday afternoon. Helene’s effects left us. The sun was shining, it was normal warm, the breeze slight.

The New York Times published an article re Key West’s contaminated swimming water on this day in 1999. It was titled: “Crowded Florida Keys Paradise in Trouble.”

The contamination was human feces. Most Key West beaches had warning signs.

It is now 25 years later and Key West still has the same problem and warning signs.

Why hasn’t the problem been resolved?

This day in 1941 was the last day of Major League Baseball’s regular season. Ted Williams got 6 hits in 8 at bats in a doubleheader. His season average ended up at .406. No one has hit .400 or better since.

Williams was an avid fisherman. He had a home on Islamorada. He lived there for many many years. Finally left when the area got so busy he had to wait to cross U.S. 1.

Syracuse/Holy Cross at noon today at the Dome. I will be watching the game. Syracuse expected to win big time.

Enjoy your day!

As expected, Helene bypassed the Keys. Heavy winds, however. Some flooding. Gray all day.

Schools, government offices and half the businesses in Key West were closed anticipating the worst. Everything will be open today.

As to the flooding, it basically came in from the Atlantic. Some streets 2-3 feet. Wind gusts 55-65 mph.

Part of South Roosevelt Boulevard was closed because of flooding.

Foolhardy surfers were out off Higgs Beach enjoying the waves..

A few people were absolutely crazy. Probably tourists not aware of the danger involved.  They were dancing and jumping around the Southernmost Monument as giant waves were jumping up and over it. They easily could have been swept out to sea.

Helene hit Florida way up north as a Category 4. Skimmed Tallahassee.

Atlanta under Helene’s wrath at the moment as a tropical storm. Flooding big. Pics on TV showed cars submerged up to their windows.  Flooding a good 4-5 feet. Six inches of rain already. Another 1-2 inches expected. A warning sign: A DANGEROUS SITUATION. SEEK HIGH GROUND NOW!

One of Key West’s most famous bars is Captain Tony’s. Located on Greene Street just a block off Duval. It was the original location of Sloppy Joe’s.

A tourist/local’s place to gather. Once a morgue.

A huge fish sits outside on top of the front door, with its mouth wide open. A tradition has developed whereby people toss quarters up trying to get them into the fish’s mouth. I sense the quarters are a good source of revenue for Captain Tony’s.

Captain Tony and Jimmy Buffett were good friends. Buffett sang in the bar. 

Captain Tony ran several times for Key West Mayor Won only one time. The one time was when Jimmy Buffett was his campaign manager.

One of Buffett’s famous songs is Last Mango in Paris. He wrote the song about his friend Captain Tony. The opening line begins: “I went down to Captain Tony’s / To get out of the heat / I heard a voice call out to me / ‘Son come have a seat!’ “

Captain Tony was married and divorced several times. His last marriage however lasted 38 years. He had 13 children via his wives. His claim to fame was he never supported a wife after he divorced her nor the children he had by her.

Nevertheless, Captain Tony was “arguably the city’s most beloved resident.” He was also respected as “the conscience of Key West.”

I only knew one of his children. A daughter. Toni Taracino, named after her Dad. She passed on a few years ago.

She grew up sitting outside her father’s bar singing songs all day. She absolutely loved him.

We were good friends. She spent many years as a concierge at The Marriott Beachside. She worked hard to keep her father’s memory alive. Every year for example on the date of his birthday, she would throw a party in his honor at Captain Tony’s. She always invited me.

On this day in 1909, the Monroe County Commission approved a contract to install a sewer line running from the court house to the sea for $575. Wonder what it would cost today?

Vice big business for the police back in 1954. On this day, Key West Police Chief Perez personally conducted a raid of the Mardi Gras Club on Duval Street. Three women were arrested for lewd performance of an indecent and immoral nature.

The way it was. The way it will never be again. On this day in 1955, Key West motels were waging a price war. Eight put up signs offering free rooms to tourists.

Citizens’ Voice today: There is a drop off box for damaged U.S. flags at City Hall.

New York City’s Mayor Eric Adams is in deep shit trouble. An indictment opened yesterday claims 10 years of free trips, hotels and dinners. Some money moving around. Primarily involving Turkey.

He’s got problems.

I had to cancel physiotherapy again today. Pain in lower left back, left side and left leg.

Enjoy your day!

Hurricane Helene is moving northward towards the Gulf side of Florida. At the moment around 8 in the morning, it is opposite Key West. Presently a Category 2. Expected to be a Category 4 at some point.

Helene an unusual hurricane. Wide. One of the widest ever. It runs 345-400 miles wide from the center.

Helene will not strike Key West. Its center is too far out. We had some rain during the night. Gray outside. Heavy winds blowing at the moment, however. I would estimate the gusts at 50 mph.

I have a concern for Tallahassee. Home of Florida State. Robert and Ally attending college there.

They have taken different positions on how to deal with Helene. Ally came home a couple of days ago. Spoke with her last night. She left early, no traffic. 

Helene has been predicted to be a Category 4 when it passes over Tallahassee. She got out of Dodge!

Robert is playing it differently. He opted to wait a bit longer, though not necessarily stay.

I spoke with him on the phone last night. The problem is he still is in Tallahassee! He is trying to make up his mind. I suspect he did not expect things to get so confusing and wild.

He and his roommates have two options. A friend’s parents live in a “hurricane proof” home. They can stay there. With a Category 4, I don’t think anything is “hurricane proof.”

The three have also rented an airbnb house somewhere else away from the danger. I am not sure where.

Robert has a good head on his shoulders. The only advice I could give was, “You’re a big boy and have a good head on your shoulders which I know you will use.”

His problem as he explained to me was “everything is moving so fast.” He and his buddies had a time deadline by which to decide what to do.

My advice would have been, “Get your ass out NOW!” I’m not there however and it has to be his decision to make. As nervous as I am becoming, I know he will make the correct one…..whatever that may be.

Corey just telephoned. A third option came up. One they took. The boys decided to get out of Dodge. They drove south of Daytona to New Smyrna Beach which is on the Atlantic side. Arrived 3 this morning. Should be safe and secure. God bless!

I’m too old for this!

Seems to be a season for indicting politicians and other well known persons. The word last night was that New York City Mayor Eric Adams would be served today with papers indicting him on federal corruption charges.

I’m surprised. He has been a hard working straight guy. Tough. All we can do is sit back and see what it is. Then comment more directly. At the moment, I am inclined to wish him well.

The Editorial Board of the New York Times reran again its July 11, 2024 editorial of Non-Support for Trump. They must have considered the Editorial contents important enough to do so. It nails Trump right between the eyes.

The title is one of significant verbiage: Donald Trump Is Unfit To Lead. Opening words: “He is dangerous in word, deed and action. He puts self over country. He loathes laws by which we live.”

It is repeated today. I recommend its reading. I wrote in support of the Editorial when the Times published it the first time.

On this day in 1960, the first debate between Presidential nominees ever took place. Kennedy and Nixon the nominees. The debate was to be televised and played on the radio.

We were all excited.

My reaction after watching the debate on TV. Kennedy the winner. Nixon was sweating profusely and made him look terrible.

However, those that listened only to oral on the radio thought Nixon had won. I listened to the radio rerun the next day and agreed. Nixon’s responses were much better.

On this day in 1986, Antonin Scalia was sworn in as the Supreme Court’s 103rd member. At the time, his credentials showed he was qualified. I thought he was also.

Since that time, my opinion has proved otherwise. Most will disagree with me.

I have been unhappy with Scalia’s performance for two reasons.

The first is he came up with an originalism approach to deciding cases. Emphasis shall be given to the way things were when the Constitution/Amendments were written in deciding cases. Never made sense to me. Things were different back then in the late 1700s and early 1800s when the basic Constitution and initial group of amendments were adopted. Did not make sense to me to rely on aged facts and concepts to solve today problems.

The second reason I was down on Scalia was he was one of the first to take advantage of free trips to conventions and other gatherings sponsored by those whose cases were bound to end up before the Supreme Court.

Scalia was an intellectually sound person, but the wrong choice for the Supreme Court because of his legal philosophy and laissez-faire attitude about conventions and trips.

Citizens’ Voice this morning with two items worthy of repetition.

The first: “I love the library. It’s an asset to the community with all the resources it provides.”

I agree. For a selfish reason, also. The Key West library is part of the library operation for all of Monroe County. Its offices are in the Key West library building on Fleming Street. My son-in-law Corey Malcom is the Chief Librarian. He is the honcho who runs the entire library system. He does a bang up job! He’s on top of everything and accommodating to everyone.

The second involves “out of control spending” by the City of Key West. The question raised was, “When will the City of Key West get hold of its out-of-control spending? In just 10 years the budget has gone from about $156 million to $262 million.”

Enjoy your day!

Why do Republicans keep coming up with new ways to bad mouth women?

The Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate in Wisconsin Bernie Moreno expressed mystification that suburban women are so focused on the issue of abortion. Especially older suburban women over 50 who are “a little crazy” to care about reproductive rights at all.

Two answers from Louis.

The first, take one right from women and others will follow. To be removed, also.

Second, what about an over age woman’s daughters and granddaughters?

Moreno, you’re an asshole!

Trump issued an all caps message friday that women were financially better off four years ago than today. He claimed his election would solve the “problem.” The problem is there is no such “problem. Merely another made up by Trump.

He lies again.

Trump is desperate. He knows he is going downhill. Throws everything against the wall. Hopes some will stick.

The weather. An issue today.

Wind is fickle. Go sailing and find out how it blows every which way and with varying degrees of speed. Wind is surprising. I know from experience.

Hurricane John was on the southern coast of Mexico monday 25 miles southeast of Acapulco. It had been forecasted to be a tropical storm. Suddenly, in just one day, it blew into a powerful Category 3. Abrupt and unexpected.

My message. Beware! You never know.

Helene a tropical storm at the moment scheduled to by pass the Gulf side of the Keys by miles. Projected to hit as a Category 3 somewhere round the Panhandle. Now, warnings are being issued that Helene’s power as a tropical storm may endanger the Keys with winds and flooding.

Yes or no. For real? I have expected heavy rains. Suddenly we are warned maybe it will be worse. Before the day is out, the warning will be it is worse. When it really will not. Some will panic.

I respect those who predict our weather and hurricanes. However sometimes I question if things are as bad as they suggest. Are they merely  being simply overprotective? Generally, most of the time, nothing of significance occurs.

What happens is people tend to ignore warnings after so many false ones are issued. Which means when a bad one hits, we may not be ready.

A weather item worth mentioning. The summer’s onerous humidity seems to have gone. Hopefully. This past week has been normal warm, not heavy and sticky.

Israel must stop! Israel is overdoing retaliation! Most recently, an Israeli attack killed 492 and injured 1,600.

A full fledged Middle East war could be imminent. One which could draw the U.S. in on an active basis. A war you and I do not want.

Biden and Harris have to draw a line in the sand. An enforceable one Netanyahu will understand. Netanyahu is a Trump out of control.

Being President calls for difficult choices on occasion.

Washington, D.C. is one of our Nation’s most hungry communities. Eleven percent of the population going hungry.

Guess who has been their major source of assistance? Punks from the music community!

An example we are all one family.

Sex trafficking is on the rise. All over the world. Big bucks! The biggest!

In Iraq, those trafficked are referred to as Isis sex slaves. The number unbelievable. A new one every 26 seconds. 

Why so many? Again the answer simple. Big bucks! Economically lucrative!

Syracuse/Holy Cross saturday at noon at the Dome. Syracuse expected to win.

A bit of Key West.

On this day in 1998, Hurricane Georges swept over Key West as a Category 3. Key West’s famed Houseboat Row, then on South Roosevelt Boulevard, was largely destroyed.

It was my first hurricane as an owner of a Keys property. I left. Fortunately, my new home suffered minimal damage. A few roof shingles and some trees down. A large palm tree in the pool.

Hemingway and six toed cats.

A visit to Hemingway House in Key West brings visitors into contact with numerous six toed cats. Hemingway responsible for them.

Hemingway was a well known cat lover. He had a six toed feline named Snowball. Over time, selective breeding took place to ensure Snowball’s six toed descendants would be all over the property. Snowball joined Hemingway in being responsible for all those six toed cats!

Tennessee Williams lived in Key West for many many years. Wrote books and plays while residing on Duncan Street. 

One play was A Streetcar Named Desire. It was made into a movie starring Marlon Brando. Brando played Stanley Kowalski. Brando always said thereafter he disliked playing the part. He said he “loathed” his character claiming Kowalski had “the kind of brutal aggressiveness that I hate.”

Brando called himself “sensitive by nature” and Kowalski being a sex symbol drove him crazy.

Yesterday was a new one for me. A good dental visit and Happy Hour at The Grand.

My dental problems are half resolved. I have uppers, no bottoms. The bottoms involve implants.

Dr. Mullins and his assistant Susannah of Old Town Dental worked on me yesterday. I am 2-3 weeks away from the completion of their work and I will then have a full set of teeth and be able to eat normally again.

I figured I would gamble. I had uppers. Did Happy Hour with Matt, Steve, Cindy and others. It was great to be out!

Decided to try some non-liquid food. I have lost 60 pounds so far because of my inability to eat normally.

I ordered conch fritters. Between my uppers and tongue, I thought I could get them down. I did with minimal difficulty.

Interestingly, I was full after eating only two of the conch fritters. Shows how my stomach has shrunk. I forced the remaining two down.

Progress is progress so I am not complaining. Can’t wait to enjoy my first steak!

Enjoy your day!

Walt Disney created a different special joy for the world. Two of his earliest creations. Mickey Mouse and then the ground breaking achievements in animation and film with Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

He did so much more. However, I wish to dwell on Mickey Mouse and Snow White. His first two major accomplishments.

Disney created another and prior cartoon character to Mickey. Oswald the Lucky Rabbit in 1927. He did it with his then partners Ub Iwerks and Universal Studios. Oswald was an instantaneous success. However, the “business arrangement” with Universal was short lived. Disney and Iwerks were out on the street, so to speak. Oswald remained with Universal.

A year later, Disney began the Walt Disney Company. He and Iwerks sketched Mickey Mouse at the same time that films were toying with talkies. Disney debuted Mickey in Steamboat Willie in 1928 and Mickey over the next year became a household name. Steamboat Willie was not a talkie, however. It took one more year and eight Mickey films before Mickey “talked.” The first was The Karnival Kid. In it, Mickey also met Minnie Mouse for the first time.

Mickey played a hot dog vendor in The Karnival Kid. His first words were, “Hot dog! Hot dog!”

Mickey’s first voice was that of Carl Stalling. Disney soon took over Mickey’s vocalizing. He continued to be Mickey’s voice till 1946. Disney has always been Minnie’s voice.

Mickey Mouse’s popularity and success was great. Mickey Mouse proved lucrative for the Disney Company.

Then came Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs in 1937. Disney loved it! Turned out to be his most implosive creation and financial achievement. Not without pain and anxiety. Even from his wife, Lillian.

Snow White was big bucks to create. Critics knocked the concept. The banks abandoned him. He could find no financial backers. His wife thought it was a loser. She was especially unhappy when Disney mortgaged their home to help pay for the film.

Snow White premiered December 21, 1937 and had its U.S. wide release February 4, 1938. It changed Disney’s life and Hollywood forever. An outstanding success! People loved it!

The film quickly grossed $8 million (equal to $165 million today), more than any film before it. Disney was on his way! Received a special Oscar. He used the money to build his new Disney Studios in Burbank, California, where the company still operates.

Disney had genius, talent and faith in himself. He pushed ahead against all odds, including his wife, to succeed. The American dream personified!

Donald Trump does not live in a real world. I used to think he made up the falsehoods he speaks. That he was aware they were not real. I have recently concluded he believes he speaks the truth. The falsehoods he speaks are reality to him.

Some of the things that are part of Trump’s imagining world. He tells us Americans can’t venture out to buy a loaf of bread without getting shot, mugged or raped. Immigrants in Springfield eat cats and dogs. World War III and economic collapse are around the corner. And kids go to school only to return at day’s end having undergone reassignment surgery.

His world a dark place. Our America a dark place.

What really bothers me is that almost half of U.S. voters believe the lies and misrepresentations Trump spews. Wake up America!

Trump said in an interview friday that he would not run for Presidnet again in 2028 if he lost.

Can he be believed?

Whatever. Keep in mind he may have a government financed position even if he loses. Jail.

An article of his interview I found amusing. Most people have a diet problem with which to deal.

Trump was asked about his well documented love of hamburgers. He admitted he liked “perhaps all the wrong food,” but does not plan on making any changes.

Trump said, “Oh don’t eat this, don’t eat that.” Then added, “They’ve gone, they have passed away long ago. And here I am.”

Trump consistently tells the American people that violent crime is on the increase. Claims violent crime has increased 43 percent. Got to scare the hell out of you unless you are aware it is Trump lying/misrepresenting again.

The FBI issued its report yesterday re crime in the U.S. Overall, it is down 3 percent. Murders are down 11.7 percent. The most ever.

I am an old man. I have lived through times when crime was high, Nowhere near it the past few years. My concern are mass killings. That is today’s problem and primarily has to do with gun availability.

I close with a touching story. One that did not just bring tears to my eyes. Made the tears role down my cheeks.

I came across a video on the internet yesterday of a 9 month old baby boy who had been born deaf. He had surgery. The video was of the first time he heard his mother and father talking to him, their voices. His eyes lit up, his smile beyond description, he laughed and grabbed onto his mother first, then his father.

God is good!

Enjoy your day!

A winner to watch. Rachel Maddow’s documentary film, more like a movie, “From Russia with Lev.” I watched it in a rerun Saturday night.

Catch it the next time it is available!

It shows what an illiterate impossible weak person Donald Trump is and how easily he is surrounded with inepts and incompetents. The film further evidences the trumped up feckless matter the investigation of Hunter and Joe Biden and Ukraine bribery and other matters were. Rudy Giuliani came out looking like the first class corrupt Individual he is.

Watch the film. Assuming it’s valid, which I did, it is a major expose.

The Al Smith Dinner in New York City is a traditional Catholic charity fundraiser. In most instances, the two Presidential candidates appear and say a few pleasant words. It is intended to be a happy evening all around. Harris has announced she will not attend. She is skipping the event purportedly for political reasons. 

Harris’ people said she will be campaigning in a battleground state. The state was not identified.

Politics is involved in the decision. U.S. Catholic Bishops have been Trump leaning in recent years. Significantly so. Abortion the primary issue. Catholic Bishops anti-abortion, Harris favoring abortion.

Biden has not appeared at the Dinner since being elected President. Clinton was not even invited in 1996 after he vetoed a short term abortion bill.

People take stances. I sense Harris is taking one here.

Is Donald Trump Husband of the Year?  Who considers him so? His wife? The report is they do not even live together. His MAGA followers? The American people generally? No one?

Melania has written a book. A soon to be released memoir. Donald says he has not read it. Claims he has been too busy.

Not read it? Strange. He has been doing fewer campaign events, though he does not miss a round of golf.

Word is Melanie comments in the book about her nude modeling, her nude photo which appeared in British GQ in 2000 showing her in her husband’s customized Boeing 727 wearing handcuffs, wielding diamonds and holding a shiny pistol.

Melania also questions why law enforcement was not protective of Trump when he was shot. She believes there is more to the story.

I wonder whether the book will be for sale before the election.

Trump is considered by many to be “America’s Hitler.” He has achieved the distinction over time. Now he gives his supporters the green light to “blame Jews” if he doesn’t win in November.

“America’s Hitler” and “blame Jews” somewhat related comments.

The last thing our country needs is JD Vance a breath away from the Presidency. He is worse than Trump when it comes to things. What comes out of his mouth is way out scary.

His latest is Harris will lead the U.S. down a “path to slavery.” Said by him after he warned Democrats to calm down the rhetoric.

Can you imagine living under you’re being investigated, you’re no longer being investigated, you’re still being investigated? Matt Gaetz does.

The story of the Congressman and a 17 year old girl at a sex and drug party. The latest re the matter could be making Gaetz uncomfortable.

The alleged facts: The 17 year old was transported by Gaetz across state lines, he and she attended a drug heavy sex party in 2017, the girl a high school junior, the party at the home of Chris Dorworth ( a lobbyist and friend of Gaetz), the girl was naked, party goers were there to engage in a sex party.

Dorworth denies meeting the girl and said she is lying about Gaetz. The information herein was set forth in court documents filed Thursday by 3 eyewitnesses who also claimed the 17 year old girl “was the center of the alleged drug trafficking scandal.”

Gaetz has not commented on the latest information.

A mass shooting in Birmingham, Alabama, killed 4 and wounded 17. Occurred in a popular nightlife district. Multiple shots involved.

Police suspect there was “an intended target” who was among the dead. Police described the shooting as “a hit.”

Conducted in exchange for payment.

Doesn’t sound like a “professional shooting” to me if more than one was killed and 17 wounded. More like the gang that couldn’t shoot straight.

Something I learned early in grammar school. I wonder if it is still taught and when.

I speak of Nathan Hale’s words as he was about to be hung by the British as an American spy during the Revolutionary War: “I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.”

Since my heart surgeries, I have been into physiotherapy 3 times a week for the past 4 months. Outstanding! I mention a problem and they always have a procedure or two to deal with it. Two or three visits later, the problem has disappeared or become minimal.

Obviously, I have become turned on to physiotherapy. Why suffer when there is a professional that can get rid of it.

There was an Opinion piece yesterday in the Washington Post explaining how “robots” are transforming physical therapy. Referred to as “bionic physical therapists.” Impressive what is being done. Read the article: Robots Are Transforming Physical Therapy. The author is Beatrix Lockwood.

I am doing my physiotherapy at Select Physical Therapy, 3156 Northside Dr., Key West, Florida, 305-292-1805. Basically 3 therapists work on me. Katie, Ashley and Ed. They make my body work better. More succinctly, the way it should. For an appointment, contact Patti. The best in making the place function.

Enjoy your day!