SUSPENDED…..BEWARE

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Yesterday was an exceptional one weatherwise. Perfect weather. I spent the entire day outside on the deck.

Sat under the tiki hut. In a bathing suit. Computer in front of me. Researched and wrote all day. Part of the time was spent working on friday’s internet show. Periodically the heat would get to me. I would walk into the pool and spend ten minutes floating around. I enjoy placing a noodle under my arms and letting the water take me.

Topics already prepared for friday discussion include the Wisconsin Judge who struck down the State’s anti labor law, a Rhode Island distorted decision regarding gender discrimination, an example of lightning striking twice, Obama and Romney shortcomings re mortgage foreclosures and the housing market, the Chicago teacher strike, Chicago airport using goats to trim grass, man’s best friend, Bismarch, Pope John Paul I, the Vatican Bank, the Judiciary Act of 1789, some Harry Truman moments, and more.

Join me, if you can. Ten in the morning my time. Every friday. World wide. www.konkbroadcasting.com.

My attorney cynicism is upon me. It concerns the Chicago teacher strike.

Yesterday the teachers announced the strike was “suspended.” Suspended does not mean over in legal vernacular. It is a pause, not an ending.

The media and Mayor Emanuel seem to view it as an end. The teachers however say they have to look at the whole agreement in writing before approving it. In the meantime, they will return to work.

What the teachers are saying in reality from my perspective is that we will work, but walk again if we do not like the printed material. Ballsy. Not proper in a matter of this nature, however.

I suspect the teachers suspended the strike to avoid the court proceeding today. The judge is not stupid. I doubt he will dismiss the case. More likely, he will adjourn the matter to a subsequent date. This keeps the pressure on the teachers not to play games down the road. Or, if he is really astute, he will hear arguments today under the theory that until the teachers say the strike is over as opposed to suspended the strike is still on.

Interesting.

Let’s see if I calling this one correctly.

I generally am in support of teachers. I think they are being screwed in other states. However with the Chicago strike, I believe the teachers are overplaying their hand and are wrong. It sticks in my craw that Chicgo teachers start some where in the $40,000 a year bracket. Their average/mean salary is $76,000 a year. One of the highest in the Nation. And…..only 60 percent of Chicago students graduate! The statistic does not seem a fair return for the dollars paid.

Enjoy your day!

BILL CALLI DIES

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A good person has passed on.

William S. Calli Sr. Better known as Bill Calli.

Bill was a fellow Utican and attorney. 87 at the time of his passing yesterday. An automobile accident. A distinguished attorney and public servant. He spent many years as a member of the New York State Assembly. He finished his public career as a member of the New York State Senate.

We were friends. Not drinking buddies. Professionally and a bit more.

If there was one word to describe Bill, he was a gentleman.

I interviewed for employment with his law firm when I graduated. It was Bill and his father Rocco heading the firm. Several attorneys were associated with them. I had three separate interviews. I did not make it. I was not hired. I was very disappointed at the time. We used to laugh about it in later years when my practice blossomed. I used to remind Bill he would be sharing in my financial success had he and his Dad hired me back when. Not that he had any need for my earnings. He was extremely successful in his own right.

When Bill arrived at the pearly gates yeserday, if there was any hesitancy as to his admission, I am sure he calmly talked his way in.

May he rest in peace.

The Navy is in town. Ships of several nations. Something like 14 destroyers and amphibious assault ships. All here for a joint Caribbean training excercise. Locals who were in Key West during the Cuban missle crisis in the early 1960s were telling me last night this is the largest assemblage of war vessels since that time.

I started with the Chart Room last night. Mary bartending. Poor Mary is working her butt off. She is covering for Emily who is on a two week vacation. Che there also.

Che and I spent much time together last night. I sometimes introduce Che to people as a participant in the Cuban revolution. Actually, a joke. Che is a Jewish mercant from New York City transplanted many years ago to Key West.

There was a gentleman named Ron sitting next to us. From Atlanta. Here with his new bride of one week. She was not with him. Still in their room. Ron was an interesting and intelligent fellow. The three of us discussed many things. Like religion, Catholicism and politics. A good talk.

There is a new bar in town. On Duval. Opened last Wednesday. The Ugly Coyote. I wanted to see it. Che joined me.

I was not impressed. Nor was Che. Actually, I was depressed. The bar gave me that feeling.

It is an old time salon. The ladies working there get up on the bar and talk, sing and dance. All in tight jeans. Not all good bodies, however. Young. Very young. Early 20s at best. Sad appearing. Tired faces. I doubt they were locals. Appeared imported.

The bar had a good crowd for a Monday night at eight. This is a man’s place. There were only two female guests. The guys were mostly young. A strange group. We needed another bar stool. There were several available. One had a customer’s foot on it. Another an arm. I asked if the stools were in use, could I have them? All I got was a blank look in response. No words.

When Che and I were finally seated, we figured it out. All the young fellows had crew cuts, short cropped hair. They were part of the navys of several nations in Key West this week for joint maneuvers. When I asked for the stools, they did not know what I was saying!

One of the bouncers was named Lou. He seemed to be the boss. He came over to talk with us and invited us to return.

Lou sws a nice guy. Looked tough, however. Big and burly with a gut.

The place obviously is not for the older generation. Che and I were the only ones over 40. Maybe 30.

I had the feeling when I walked in that I could get rolled. The place was tough appearing. Rolled I was not and would not be. However, I share my initial impression with you.

Will Ugly Coyote make it in Key West? I woukd like to be favorable. I cannot. It does not fit into the Key West atmosphere. We like young good looking women who fit into the Key West life style. The bar they work at must also have the Key West flavor. Remember, Hooters did not make it in Key West.

I suspect Coyote Ugly’s rent has to be $35,000 a month. That is the tab in that section of Duval. A big monthly bill to pay!

I doubt Coyote Ugly will be here next year at this time. It may even be gone by year end.

I forgot to mention. Coyote Ugly is a chain. They have been in business for many years. Hooters was a chain also in business for many years.

I hope I am wrong. I wish Coyote Ugly good luck.

Stopped at Don’s Place on the way home. Had my final diet coke of the evening. Chatted a bit with Billy and left.

I would be remiss if I did not mention Romney. He cannot keep his foot out of his mouth!

Enjoy your day!

INTERESTING SUNDAY

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From my perspective, Sunday was quiet. However so many things happened!

First, Meet the Press and The Chris Matthews Show. Between what is going on world wide and the Chicago teacher strike, these TV talk shows were the best place to be in the morning.

There appears to be a brief lull in the embassy crisis. Most experts believe it will reoccur and soon. Afghanistan’s involvement in the past 48 hours is sad, but was to be expected. We have 66,000 troops there. We are training the police and military to protect their own country. We have given the Afghans billions of dollars.

What happens? Either a police officer or soldier we have been training turns his gun on American soldiers and kills four of them.

Obama has a lot to deal with.

The Chicago teachers continue to enjoy their time in the sun. In the meantimne, the kids are still not in school. For shame!

Illinois law permits school teachers to strike. The law spells out the reasons why they may strike. Emanuel says the reasons the teachers are still out does not fall within the legal guide lines. He goes to court today to force the teachers back into the class room.

I wrote a bit.

Then watched some pro football. From the comfort of my bed. Second Sunday in a row I have not been to Don’s Place. Bad!

Dinner was special last night. Ate at the Yacht club. My guest was Lu Kramer.

An interesting woman. A terrific business background.

She spent several years as a Regional CFO for CIGNA Insurance. Then owned the Loreli in Islamorada. Her next business venture was owning the Hetrz franchise here in Key West. Her present ventures are two specialty stores in Clinton Square Mall.

An industrious lady! An intelligent woman ! I enjoyed her company immensely.

The reason I was at the Yacht Club was that it was prime rib night. I am on the Atkins diet. Low carb, high protein. Just the meal for me.

The assistant chef slicing the prime rib was a young man. Tall and lanky. Appeared not to have a pound of fat on him. I had him cut me an extra slice. I explained to him I was on the Atkins diet.

He broke into a smile when I mentioned the diet and said he had lost 60 pounds on it. My hero!

This morning is the end of my first week on the diet. Lost 5 pounds. I am not happy. I expected 8 the first week and then settle into 3 pounds a week. I have done this diet before.

I cheated last night. Had two gins. It was time.

The Huntington Post recently published an interesting article on Key West. The title referred to the 10 best kept secrets in Key West. Find and read! It was right on!

Enjoy your day!

BOULEVARD CONSTRUCTION BAD FOR BUSINESS

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The sunset last night was beautiful. One of the most beautiful I have seen. I was on my deck. The sun settled behind a bank of white and gray clouds. Brilliance radiating around and through the clouds.

Rained heavy during the night.

This morning the sky is gray. Very little wind. Water crawling. I suspect the gray will turn to gold and we will have another glorious day.

Needed to stop at Walgreens on the Boulevard yesterday for a prescription. The parking lot was empty. Only three customers in the store, including me. I asked the druggist if the construction was the problem. Yes, it was. How many businesses, big and small, must be hurting. We are told it will take two years to complete the work.

My next stop was Publix. What I am about to relate has nothing to do with the construction.

Saturday is a good day to shop at Publix. Went to the new one. I have noticed over the years that very few people in Key West grocery shop on Saturday. As opposed to Sunday when Publix is a mad house.

Dinner was me alone at the bar at Hogfish last night. Actually never alone on a Saturday night at Hogfish. The bar is packed with fisherman. Not the tourist type. The ones that have lived here all year long for many years. Saturday night is there time to howl. They are tough looking. Though meek. Dark skinned. Wrinkled. Bearded. Some a bit toothless. Good people all! Most are shrimp boaters.

This is Poker Run Weekend. Motorcyclists galore come to Key West. Their ladies hanging on behind them on their cycles. Beautiful bikes. Expensive. The bikers are here for a fun filled weekend.

There does not seem to be as many this Weekend. I saw fewer bikes and was subjected to much less noise. The bikes make a big racket. They come racing down US 1 20-30 at a time. I did not see that at all this weekend. Could the reasion be a forewarning of the construction?

The teachers bother me with regard to the Chicago teacher strike. Enough is enough. Settle this thing. Put it to rest. We are being told every day we are a day away. Then we are told there are a few more details and the union wants to see everything in writing.

We may be looking at a last hurrah with this strike. The teachers may have won a battle. I suspect they ultimately will lose the war. My sense also is that the leaders are a bunch of rank amateurs enjoying their fifteen minutes.

Let’s put this matter in perspective. Only 60 percent of Chicago students graduate. Need more be said?

My heart is heavy. I saw a picture on the internet this morning of Ambassador Stevens. He was in pants and a tee shirt. Apparently dead. Being dragged through the mob.

There is brief comment on the internet this morning also that the Ambassador was raped. I share this information reluctantly. It may not be true. Take it with a grain of salt.

My concern is that if he was, our government should share it with us. As soon as known and verified. Nothing should be kept from the American people. We are being attacked in 20 different places. More of our people may die. We may retaliate. The ramifications of any and all actions will have consequences. So we should be made aware up front of everything that has occurred and is occurring.

A somber note to end this blog on. Sorry.

Enjoy your Sunday!

CATHOLIC CHURCH OUT OF DATE?

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Loved doing yesterday’s Internet show! Why not. The week was full of wild events.

I suspected the Cairo/Benghazi stories or the Chicago teacher strike or the Catholic Church issues would prove the most popular. Instead, none were. Post show comments were primarily addressed to the overall quality of the show. Whatever, I thank you.

After the show, it was to the doctor’s office. Flu shot time.

Then a long walk along Smather Beach. Sun was a bit hot. I should have walked earlier. However, the show interferred.

I wrote next week’s KONK Life article. Catholic Church…..200 Years Out of Date. It was a reiteration of Cardiinal Carlo Maria Martini’s death bed interview. His opinions an interesting revelation. I discussed the Cardinal’s thoughts also in yesterday’s Internet show.

Spent the balance of the afternoon researching and writing.

Stayed in last night. I am still at the beginning of the diet where it tires me out. I am on Dr. Atkins. I cooked myself a steak for dinner. Proper Atkins food.

Embassy attacks are now occurring in twenty countries. Sad. They are ongoing. Even in Cairo and Benghazi. A difficult situation. I wonder how Obama will deal with it all.

A beautiful day here in Key West. As most are. Sun, blue skies and blue running water. Warm. Humid. It all feels good.

Enjoy your day!

NOTHING IS SACRED

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Italy is seriously considering taxing certain property owned by the Catholic Church. Nothing is sacred.

I stayed in and worked all day yesterday. It rained like hell most of the day. Nowhere to go. I fine tuned today’s internet show and worked on the trip photos. Sloan stopped in around noon to help me.

Last night was bocce. No bocce. The rain. I stopped by just after 6 to see if the courts were playable. Buried in water. Only good for swimming laps.

Stopped into Don’s Place. Packed with disappointed bocce players. Everyone drinking earlier than usual. I had my one diet coke and left. It is hard to be around drinking people when you are not drinking.

Stopped at Lisa’s. Lisa working. Cory upstairs on the computer. Robert in the bath tub. Ally watching television.

Robert and Ally are in an advanced swimming class. They had a lesson at 4. They were all excited.

Watch my show this morning, if you are able. The Key West Lou Legal Hour. Ten my time. Broadcast world wide. www.konkbroadcasting.com.

Enjoy your day!

STILL WORKING ON TRIP PICS

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Rained big time last night. With booming lightning. The type lightning that comes flashing through the shutters into the bedroom.

Windy, too. Weather report this morning says gusts were up to 35 miles per hour.

It is still raining. Rather, pouring. I susect it may keep up all day.

The street in front of my home is flooded. More water than Isaac.

If the rain continues, forget bocce tonight. The courts will be too wet.

First Egypt and Libya, now Yemen. Probably not the end. These people are religiously too sensitive.

In days gone by, the killing of one or more of our representatives meant war. Not today. For all understandable reasons. However, there must be retaliation. Not just equal in force. There is a need for a bit more. Hit the other side harder than they did us. Those seekinmg to harm us must understand that there is retribution. Hopefully, it would discourage harmful erratic demonstations as we have seen the past few days.

I walked again yesterday morning. I am proud of myself!

Published another Amazon Kindle article yesterday. Girl 10 Gives Birth To Baby Boy. An abortion dissertation.

Worked hard with Sloan in the early evening on the trip pics. We are getting there! Soon they will be available for viewing.

Dinner last night at the Yacht Club. With the lovely Jenna Stauffer. Jenna is doing well on Comcast TV. She has her own daily talk show and does the news three evenings a week.

We have not been together in a long time. We had a lot of catching up.

I like Jenna. She has a great future ahead of her. Deservidly so. She is good people.

While Jenna and I were having a drink at the bar before dinner, Cindy Livingston came over. Cindy is wife to friend Howard. We chatted quite a while. Cindy and Howard and some friends are off to St. Martens next week for a few days of fun.

Tomorrow morning my interent show. The Key West Lou Legal Hour. Friday. Ten in the morning my time. www.konkbroadcasting.com. Join me. Watch. The show will be interesting and challenging. Especially in view of the week’s events in Cairo, Benghazi, Yemen and Chicago.

Made an interesting discovery yesterday. I have started to trace where this blog goes, who reads it, etc. I am pleased to share with you the following. Key West Lou is read in 38 different countries, plus the United States. Wild!

Anna is back from her one month family visit to Poland. She returned two days ago. She is here this morning. I am thrilled! I will have clean pressed clothes and a clean house once again.

Enjoy your day!

DEMOCRACY IS MOB RULE

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Big news day yesterday!

Eleventh anniversary of 9/11.

Egyptian mob stormed United States Embassy in Cairo. Desecrated the American flag in the process.

A mob stormed the United States Embassy in Libya. Bengahzi to be specific. United States Ambassador Stevens and three staff members killed.

Chicago teacher strike ongoing.

Louis said back when the Egyptian revolt was taking place…..Never forget your friends. The United States did in Egypt. Murbarak had been our friend for forty years. He became a friend of Israel at our behest. Yet when the mob hit the street and shouted democracy, the United States failed Murbarak. They encouraged him to resign. Did not support his government. I recall Secretatry of State Clinton saying we had to stand with the protestors in the streets who sought democracy.

I said never abandon a friend. We knew what we had in Murbarak. We did not know what we would have with a new regime.

Today Egypt has a radical Islamic group ruling the country. The Cairo Embassy had blocked streets and Egyptian police and military protection under Murbarak. The new government removed the barriers and withdrew most of the police and military guards.

Within 24 hours of Cairo, the Libyans attack the United States Embassy in Benghazi. Here too there was no police or military protection. Libya is purportedly a democracy with the fall of Ghadafi.

Both the Egyptian and Libyan governments receive billions of dollars a year from the United States. Yet they bite the hand that feeds them.

It appears that democracy in Egypt and Libya means mob rule.

Israel wants to bomb Iran. Iran’s nuclear development is the issue. The United States wants Iran to stop its develoment of nuclear weapons peacefully. Israel and the United States cannot agree on a strategy for the near future. Things are touchy between Israel and the United States.

The Chicago teacher strike continues. Teacher demands are too many. The Mayor has offered a 16 percent raise over four years. Seems to me the teachers have an ax to grind.

What a 24 hours for President Obama! His already full plate is spilling over.

I walked once again yesterday morning. Good boy, Louis. Stayed on my diet, also.

Saw Tammy. Needed a manicure and pedicure. I was the only customer the whole time I was there. As I left, a lady walked in for a pedicure. September in Key West. Everything slows down.

I spent the afternoon working on Friday’s internet show. The Key West Lou Legal Hour.

Obviously, Egypt and Libya will be discussed. Other topics so far include, the Chicago teacher strike, the Santorini volcano which might erupt, Serbian War crimes which now include the sale of body organs, Cardinal Carlo Maria Martini’s in effect death bed interview claiming the Catholic Church is 200 years out of date, a woman arrested for warning other drivers of a speed trap, an 8 year old who took his mother’s car for a drive, Arizona Supreme Court holding that tattooing is Constitutionally protected free speech, Frances Scott Key, Moscow burned to thwart Napoleon, Chubby Checker and the Twist, and more.

My show script is close to full. Watch if you get a chance. Ten in the morning my time. World wide. www.konkbroadcasting.com.

Last night, dinner at Hogfish. A seared piece of fresh tuna on a salad bed, topped with a touch of oil. Good for the diet!

I have not played golf for health reasons in over a year. I planned on returning today. However, I have much to do organizing the trip photos further before Sloan arrives this evening. Ergo, no golf this week.

Enjoy your day!

A DAY NEVER TO BE FORGOTTEN

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We all know what today  is. The 11th anniversary of 9/11. The second day of infamy in our history.

Who would ever have expected such death and devastation from a bunch of long bearded fanatics living in a cave in Afghanistan?

Diligence renewed became the order of the day following 9/11. It continues to this day. Let us hope that a similar tragedy never occurs again. Especially on our shores.

The Chicago teachers’ strike! I question the mental acumen of the striking teachers. I laud Rahm Emanuel.

The Chicago teacher situation is unique. It differs from what has been occurring in other states where school teachers have come under attack. I support the teachers in those states. In Chicago, I cannot.

The Mayor has offered the teachers a 16 percent raise over 4 years. Big money in these days of economic crisis! The problem is not a money one.

The problem centers about two issues. One minor. The other significant.

The minor issue has to do with the length of the school day. Emanuel wants it increased some minutes just below one hour per day. Why not? Children seem to go to school fewer and fewer hours each day and number of days per year. A little extra time may contribute to a better education being received.

The major problem has to do with the method by which teachers are evaluated. The Mayor wants the results of standardized tests to be the measure. The teachers are opposed.

The teachers are opposed because the students do poorly on standardized tests. Which means…..they are not learning. Which means…..they are not being taught.

I believe Emanuel is on the correct side of the issue. The proof of the pudding is where students rank nationally. Chicago’s 8th graders are at the 79th percent grade level in reading and the 80th percent grade level in math. These numbers are near the bottom of the barrel.

Remember the Santorini volcano I could not climb to the top? It may be in trouble. It was in trouble when I tried to climb it. I and others climbing at the time did not know.

It may be getting ready to blow!

Oxford University did a recent study. Nature Geoscience Magazine reported the study yesterday.

There is something called magma which builds in a volcano. It is like a balloon. The magma chamber in the Santorini volcano is shallow. Near the top. The magma is continually charged by small batches of melted material from below. The magma chamber expands as a result.

Apparently the magma chamber has been increasing in size since January 2011. It is now estimated to be 15 times larger than the size of London’s recent Olympic Stadium.

Nothing may happen. Something may happen. The last eruption was 1955.

Did I have a yesterday? Yes.

I walked in the dark early morning. Swam in the pool later in the morning. Read and wrote all day. Stayed on my diet. Day 1. Did the Chart Room last night. No alcohol. Visited with Captain Peter and Mary. Then to Outback for a quiet dinner and read the newspapers. My final activity of the evening involved perusing Office Max. I need a couple of things for my prospective You Tube Show. Found nothing to satisfy the need.

Enjoy your day!

 

TURTLE SURVIVAL

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I wrote about the St. Croix turtle the other day. The one that was pregnant, very sick and airlifted from St. Croix to the Marathon Turtle Hospital. Mother is still alive, though continues to be in rough shape. Eggs continue to be induced. Then incubated on St. Croix beach sand. Within 24 hours of hatching, flown back to St. Croix to enter into the ocean. Home for life. However long that may be.

People in St. Croix and Marathon are busting their asses to save the approximate 100 eggs the mother turtle carries.

A humanitarian effort.

To what effect, however?

Maturity for a turtle is roughly ten years. Some a bit less. A few up to twenty years. Depends on the species.

Statistically only one in one thousand survives to adulthood. The eggs/baby turtles are eaten by ghost crabs while still in the sand. Birds, raccoons and dogs also while still beached. Once the baby turtle makes it to the water, all sorts of fish are waiting to gobble the turtle and its brothers and sisters. Turtles also die from garbage and tar balls which they mistake for food.

Why then all the work, fuss and expense if only one of the offspring in Marathon will be lucky to live to adulthood? Man’s basic nature to do good. Additionally, the attempt seems to have taken on a life of its own. Everyone gets involved. Everyone wants to help. The futility is lost. Save the turtle and her offspring is the cry!

I enjoy Sundays!

The morning talk shows were particularly interesting. Both Romney and Ryan are floundering. Unfortunately. The country needs a good debate on the issues. I doubt it will come in this campaign.

Romney blew me out when he stated that certain parts of Obamacare were good and he would keep them. After saying for months the first thing he was going to do if elected was repeal Obamacare. In its entirety!

I am starting a diet today. Needed diet food. Filled up at Publix. I also purchased a beard trimmer at the Publix drug facility. Tried it when I got home. Took me a while to figure out the best way to use it. Some trial and error. I clipped a bit too much off in one spot. It will grow back.

The final result looks ok. Much better than before. Less wild.

As I was pushing my grocery cart to the car, I heard the eternal cry! Poppa! There in a parked car was the family. Robert and Ally were yelling to garner my attention.

Spent a lot of time in the afternoon working on the trip pictures. We are close. I know. I have stated such many times recently. However, it is true. Specifically when, I cannot tell you. I keep working at it day after day. At some point, the project will be completed.

Enjoyed a lazy night. Stayed in. Ate some goodies I will not be enjoying for a while. Then to an early bed and TV.

I am proud to say I have already walked this morning. In the dark. Carried one of my recent Isaac purchased flashlights. Dark is dark outside. I did not want to get hit by a neighbor driving off to work. Nor did I wish some inhabitant of the mangroves to jump out at me.

Enjoy your day!