I am 88 years old. I continue not only to live, but also learn. Two factors that amaze me.

I am researching a book I have been toying about writing for some time. One of the primary characters is a prostitute. A highly successful one that impacted many lives. Her sexual career began at the age of 8. Her father and mother molested her till she was 13. At 13, she ran away from home and began her “working career” in a Philadelphia massage parlor.

In researching some aspects of prostitution on the internet yesterday afternoon, I came across two bits of information I was unaware of. Two examples of “continuing to live and learn.” The sources of “hooker” and “redlight district.”

During the Civil War, prostitutes found many customers among Union and Confederate soldiers. The term “hooker” developed from the relationship prostitutes had with soldiers commanded by Union General Joseph Hooker.

“Red light districts” somewhat related timewise to the Civil War. After the War, camps of prostitutes would set up at railroad construction sites. When the railroad workers would visit the camps at night, they hung their red signal lights outside the tents of prostitutes so they could be readily found if there was a railroad emergency.  The term “red light district” originated from the red glow that resulted from the practice.

Roe v. Wade was decided this day in 1973. A landmark decision. The Supreme Court ruled the Constitution protected a woman’s right to have an abortion. The decision recognizing and supporting the right to an abortion was 7-2.

Roe, with modifications over the years, was the law of the land till June 24, 2022 when the Supreme Court overrode it in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. The vote was 6-3 overriding Roe. The decision threw decision making power into the hands pf State legislators, “to the people’s elected representatives.”

Dobbs is a terrible decision. Adversely affected women’s rights. The Nation was immediately inflamed. The decision severely affected the Republican Party in the 2022 midterm elections. It will continue to have an impact in 2024, perhaps not as strongly however.

The U.S. female population is increasingly dominating certain aspects of life. Now, real estate.

Single women own more homes than single men. Overall home ownership is now majority female, also. 

Sixty years ago, women could not even get a credit card or a mortgage without a male cosigner.

What a difference time makes! As with Virginia Slims of old, ladies have come a long way!

Eighteen Catholic bishops have signed  a letter calling for the U.S. to cut military spending and instead invest in ending poverty in the U.S. American bishops continue to stick there noses where they do not belong. As with their good friends the evangelicals, many U.S. bishops have become politicians instead of soul savers. They misuse the pulpit.

The Conference of U.S. Bishops leads these activities. They constantly oppose Pope Francis and would like to see him deposed. Such shows their heads are clearly in the wrong place.

The U.S. spends billions to help the poor and needy. Always more could be spent. However not at the expense of placing our country in danger of a war being fought on U.S. soil. Better we meet “enemies” on foreign soils. Should bombs fall on our cities, the money spent to feed, house and provide medical attention to our own would be astronomical. Off the wall!

These bishops are political hacks!

Yesterday a significant one in golf history. An amateur won The American Express PGA Tournament. He is Nick Dunlap, a 20 year old Alabama sophomore.

The door to all kinds of good things open for him. The victory entitles Dunlap, if he so choses, to turn pro, to enter the Masters, the PGA Championship and the Players Championship. He also is entitled to a 2 year exemption onto the PGA Tour. All good decisions to be in a position to make!

Dunlap was not eligible to receive the $1.5 million prize for his first place finish since he is an amateur.

The last amateur to win a Tour event was Phil Mickelson in 1991. Look at what that victory did for him!

This day in 1912 a big day in Key West. Henry Flagler arrived on the first train from the mainland to Key West thereby officially opening the Overseas Extension of the Florida East Coast Railroad. Flagler was received with great enthusiasm by the largest crowd ever assembled in Key West up to that time.

A bit of local unhappiness this day in 1969 in Key West. An effort to beautify downtown Key West was turned over to a group of hippies. They began painting a dozen trash cans in psychedelic colors. Chamber of Commerce President William Gamble called the colorful designs “idiotic painting that looks like it has been done by some elementary school children.” He was afraid people would think the island was a “hippie haven.”

Gamble was correct. It was the beginning of a Key West transformation. The Key West of the 1970’s. The birth of a new, exciting and different Key West.

Last night a grand evening at Antonia’s. Dinner at the bar. T.K. bartending. T.K. adds a special presence to the bar and restaurant.

Met some great people.

Seated next to me at the bar was Billy Liberty. Met him for the first time.

Billy in his early 60’s is into boats. He has a sail loft somewhere. He manages sail racing programs. Races for money. He describes himself as a “competitive sailor.”

Billy does not own a home in Key West. He visits a friend 2-3 times a year. Billy grew up on Long Island. Obviously into boats and sailing early on.

A significant Key West race is the Southern Most Race annually held in Key West. Big power boats speeding around the island. Helicopters flying low over the boats and crowd. Sounds like a war zone. Exciting! People mob the shore line to watch and experience the sensation.

Billy manages one of the boats. He brings 18 people to Key West each year to attend and assist. Every boat owner has a similar number attending. They spend a ton of money at the hotels and restaurants.

This year’s race was held recently. Billy said it was different. He said the feeling of the community was lacking this year. The boaters felt neither they nor the race were a part of the vibe of the community. His impression was the community this year was not aware the racers were even in town.

I can believe Billy. I understand what is going on. There is a new breed in Key West. They do not take to what Key West was or is. It affects me as it does Billy. My Key West is disappearing. The new crowd buys here as they would in Miami or Naples. A second or new home in a warm place. They do not appreciate the real Key West nor care.  Sad, but true. They care little about the uniqueness of my community.

Met also Peter and Debbie. They now live in Palm Beach Gardens. Since 2005, they have owned a three week time share at the Galleon. A terrific place to have a time share. They are down enjoying their three weeks. They are originally from Toms River, New Jersey and still maintain a home there.

Peter is retired. He was a sales rep most of his career for a company that manufactured the steel used in manhole covers. Debbie still working. She insures condominium complexes in New Jersey. They have three grown children and six grandchildren.

Billy left and Chris and Lia were seated next to me. Both from Chicago. This Key West visit was Chris’ fourth, Lia’s first. They are staying at the lovely Southernmost Complex on the Atlantic side of the island.

Chris is an accountant, Lia a chef. Lia is passionate about food. Wish I had her cooking for me!

Chris played basketball at Illinois State. He is passionate about golf. A 3 handicap. Hate him! I sucked at the game. I was a 35.

As soon as I publish today’s blog, I will be off to Date and Thyme for my Monkey Smoothie fix.

Tonight it will be Aqua. Lynda Frechette’s Aqua Idol Fundraiser from 6-8. Key Westers performing to raise dollars for the Fundraiser. It is Lynda’s baby. She created and has been running it for years. No easy task. Lynda has raised several hundred thousand dollars for one of the loves of her life, the Waterfront Playhouse.

Go. You will enjoy.

Enjoy your whole day!

Oh, what a game it was! I was convinced Miami would win. Miami generally ahead by a few points throughout the game. Ahead by more with three to four 7-9 point runs. Syracuse never had a run.

The game was tied with a few seconds left. Syracuse had the ball. Quadir Copeland sunk a long 3 pointer at the buzzer. Wow!

Oh you of little faith, Louis!

The first time Syracuse has won a game with a last second shot since 2011. Needless to say, bedlam erupted. Students stormed the floor.

Syracuse’s problem is it lacks consistency. It plays great defense, then pauses for several minutes. The opposing team has a run. Offensively, the team has yet to jell. They take too many pressed shots instead of moving the ball around for the better shot.

Whatever, they won. Congratulations are in order!

Tuesday Syracuse plays FSU at the Dome at 7 pm.

Three typical comments Trump made at a recent rally. 

One, “I’m being indicted by Democrats, Communists, Marxists and Fascists.” Another, “I’m being indicted for you.” The third, “I’ll never let them take away your freedom…..and in the end they’re not after my freedoms, they’re after your freedoms.”

All from a Hitler in the making.

Bill Maher: “The battle for this country isn’t Right or Left, it’s Normal vs. Crazy.”

Fascism is everywhere on the march. Note who is setting the pace. Trump!

An excellent new book on the market. I have only skimmed portions of it. I have not read the entire book. I find it interesting and worthy of mention, however.

The book is titled Late Fascism. The author is the Italian philosopher and political theorist Alberto Toscano. He writes of a Fascism renaissance. Which he describes as “a perverted utopian promise.” He claims fascism today appeals to social groups out of sync with capitalism. It offers them a fraudulent reactivation of “unfilled pasts and unrealized presents.”

That last description says it all. It describes more aptly what I have been writing. Trump and his fascism appeals to those who did not achieve early successes in life nor are where they thought they should be economically and in every other respect today.

Toscano’s words right on!

Welcome to Key West winter!

It’s cold outside. Another cold front has hit Key West.

I had difficulty sleeping last night. The cold weather had nothing to do with my inability to get a good night’s sleep. Old age the problem.

Be that as it may, the temperature at 3 am is 61 degrees. Will be 59 at 6 am. High today will only be 69.

Now, 6 am. I just opened the door. It is 59 degrees. I could “smell” the cold. For a moment, thought I was back in Utica.

The tiny heater (a small plug in) I purchased about a month ago working fine. Big trees from little acorns grow. Big heat from the tiny heater.

Soon, the Kelly McGillis Classic. Women from all over the world will be in Key West for the 32nd Annual Flag Football Competition. They will be from the U.S., Morocco, Spain, Mexico, Honduras and El Salvador.

Kelly McGillis will serve as Grand Marshall for the Players’ Parade down Duval Street Thursday January 25. Game activities will take place on the weekend at the Wicker Field Complex on Kennedy Drive.

Today in 1793 was a bad day and last day for Louis XVI of France. He was guillotined by order of the newly created French Parliament during the French Revolution.

Lorena Bobbitt was this day in 1994 found “temporarily insane” and acquitted for cutting off her husband’s penis.

I have always been under the impression that she did it because she caught him cheating. Though a cheater he was, such was not the reason. Her husband John was a “wife abuser.” He used to beat and otherwise abuse her. He would rape his wife, first beating her into submission. He would leave her body bruised as a result.

She had it on June 23, 1993. While her husband was asleep, she cut off his penis with a food knife. She then took the penis in hand and ran to her car. While driving away, she threw it out the window. The police found it, put it in ice in a Big Bite hot dog box and rushed it to the hospital. After a 9 1/2 hour surgery, considered a miracle of urological and plastic surgery, it was reattached and returned to “almost” full function.

Husband John continued his bad ways with other women. Within  one year, he was arrested for assaulting two other women, found guilty, and served time.

Took a long time for the truth to come out. The media at the time of Lorena’s cutting off of the penis and trial was concerned with the cutting portion and not the why. Clearly Lorena was a “victim and survivor.”

Her full story will appear on Amazon Prime Video beginning February 15 as part of a four part series.

A cold Sunday in Key West. What to do? Perhaps Antonia’s tonight for dinner.

Enjoy your Sunday!

On this day in 1942, Nazi officials held the notorious Wannsee Conference in Berlin to organize the “final solution,” the extermination of Europe’s Jews.

Can a similar situation occur today? In the U.S.?

Never say never. History has a tendency to repeat itself. Or at the least, attempt to repeat itself.

John Cusack: “We have Nazis running for office in America.”

Interesting article in friday’s Daily Beast: “Trump’s Running For Dictator. What’s Haley Running For?” The thrust of the article is Trump is openly declaring his intention to govern as though he is above the law. And yet, his only real GOP primary rival won’t hit on him for it.

Though I frequently disagree with Mitt Romney, he is a person of courage. Not afraid to speak out against Trump. Note that Trump apparently fears Romney. When was the last time Trump took a shot at Romney?

Romney’s latest statement against Trump is to the effect that Trump’s supporters are completely out of touch with reality.

They are!

Trump claims he did not swear an oath to “support the Constitution as President.” I do not understand him. I believe he does not understand many things he says and does.

The Oath of Office Trump took in becoming President: “I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.”

“Preserved, protect and defend” spells out “support” in my mind. And everyone else’s! Except perhaps the cult nuts who follow him blindly and believe everything he says.

Today’s podcast some 6 years old. Titled: A Country Liberated By the United States Now Openly Selling Slaves.

Dog poop an increasing problem worldwide. An Italian province has had it! It is ordering all dogs to be DNA tested and registered with authorities. Abandoned poop will be genetically tested and traced back to the responsible dog and the dog’s owner fined.

The area involved is Bolzano City and surrounding towns in the Dolomites region.

Republicans continue intending to cut Social Security benefits. Unless both the House and Senate go Republican and a Republican is simultaneously elected Presidnet, it will not happen.

In any event, Seniors note. Just another reason to vote Democratic. Assure and protect what you earned the right to during your lifetime.

A Key West civil servant was a thief. There have been several. One noteworthy of mention is T. A. Sweeting. In 1915, he was the Monroe County Tax Collector. He disappeared. Ten days later, his accounts were found to be $22,000 short.

Word has it the pickleball courts at Higgs Beach will be closed in February. Why? They are busy. Constantly in use. Locals and visitors enjoy. Especially, older ones.

I met with a vascular specialist yesterday from Miami’s Mount Sinai Medical Center. His specialty aortic aneurysms. Dr. Michael Ayad. He totally impressed me, though his conclusion as to my problem left me unhappy. Very much so.

I have had an aneurysm sitting on top of my heart where the aortic valve leaves the heart. It is the aortic valve leaving that has become an aneurysm. I have had the problem for 20 years. It has been watched by heart doctors over that period of time.

It grew. Ever so slowly for me over the 20 years. However now it has crossed the line and become an issue of concern.

I am not a candidate for surgery yet. Getting close, however. The problem, I am 88. I was under the impression its resolution was a simple one. A stent. At worst, an overnight hospital stay. Not so, I learned. Because of its location, the stent procedure not available. Major surgery involved. Cracking the ribs, lengthy surgery, lengthy hospital stay, lengthy recovery, etc.

At my age, such a surgery a danger. Not having it may be equally dangerous if the aneurysm continues to grow which it will.

Dr. Ayad has scheduled a cat scan of the aneurysm to determine if the recent number is correct. I will meet with him thereafter.

I left impressed and confident with Ayad. He had reviewed my records and knew my problem intimately. His conclusion and what next left me an unhappy camper.

It was pierogis at Brady’s Irish Pub last night. Friday evening always jam packed.

Met old friends, made a new one. The oldies included Tony and Candy. Tony at 75 still operating a major fishing vessel that goes out daily.

Met Derrick. He was seated next to me at the bar. Derrick was concerned about being close to 50. I think he said he was 47. I blew him out when I told him I was 88!

Derrick and I chatted at length. He has lived in Key West for 5 years. Has his own painting business. Family members work with him in the business. Derrick a Syracuse fan. Knew all the great players beginning in the 1990’s. I enjoyed his company.

Carola busy busy. Friday night busy. I told her how much I enjoyed the Irish scones she gave me wednesday night. She is one terrific woman!

Enjoy your day!

The Monroe County Sheriff’s Department arrested 2 men on January 11 for dumping a container filled with liquid hazardous waste and oil on Pine Avenue in Big Pine. Big Pine residents saw and reported the event. They were a major assistance to the Sheriff’s Department in solving the crime.

My career was spent as an environmental attorney. Even the slightest amount of hazardous waste or oil can result in significant consequences. Water, including drinking water, is highly susceptible to contamination. The water table is fragile. The entire eco system. And on Big Pine, the tiny Key deer.

The cleanup weight of the hazardous material involved weighed more than 30,000 pounds.

Everyone involved in apprehending the criminals is to be congratulated. Good citizenry at work!

Banks are whores. Bankers the worst. Some ways they “earn” fees wrong. Like $35 or some other excessive amount for a bounced check. An excessive fee, especially when the bad check/overdraft in many instance is less than the amount the bank charges.

Biden wants to change this type of charge. He has proposed a plan that would reduce the overdraft fee to $3. Biden said re the exorbitant overdraft charges: “Banks call it a service – I call it exploitation.”

Steve Bannon predicts Trump’s first 100 days will set a 50 year agenda. A little extreme. Could be as good as Hitler’s 12 years. Recall Hitler predicted what he “accomplished” early on would last 1,000 years. Bad things have a way of self-destructing.

And who should accept anything Bannon says as good for a government, for a people? His sole goal in life has been to bring down existing governments. Together with Newt Gingrich, he has been working to take down Pope Francis and the Vatican for several years.

Wake up Trump supporters! People like Bannon will help destroy our Nation.

Today’s podcast was done 7 years ago. Even a bit truer today. Its title: A Happy Cow Is A Cash Cow. I almost titled it: Would You Believe!

Congress yesterday sent legislation to Biden that will avert a partial government shutdown. Republican House Speaker Johnson supported the measure.

The legislation would have failed in the House had Democrats not supported it. Republicans voted 107 in support, 106 opposed. Democrats provided the bulk of the House support.

The humorous World War II movie Operation Petticoat began filming this day in 1959 in Key West. The movie starred Cary Grant and Tony Curtis.

What follows is something most Americans today have no idea occurred. The U.S. is reenacting a scenario that happened in the 1930’s. The German American Bund, aka German Christian American Bund, was a pro nationalist organization. Fascism its basis. Against democracy. People were toying with trying something different. Sought a different way.

U.S. social order was in trouble. The German American Bund felt a dictator at the top of government would be best. Deep anti-Semitism. Racial discrimination. Racism had popular support. The Ku Klux Klan popular. Anti-immigration. Anti-Catholicism. Anti-democracy.

Anti-Semitism was a publicly addressed issue. Henry Ford was a popular anti-Semite. A Catholic priest, Father Coughlin, constantly denounced Jews on the radio. Both men viewed Jews as a huge danger.

Eugenics became popular.

There were Nazi Summer Camps where children spent their summers learning archery and anti-Semitism.

In New York city, the German American Bund was fomenting a coup. Filled Madison Square Garden with its followers.

In Yaphank on Long Island, tract houses were built as an offshoot of the pro-Nazi Camp Siegfried. They were built on Adolph Hitler Street.

We survived the Nazism and other despicable changes attempted in the 1930’s. We can and will do it again.

Live long enough and it is inevitable that we knew at some point in our lives well known persons. Fred Klein a contemporary. He is 82.

I wrote yesterday of Studio 54 owners Steve Schrager and Ian Rubell. Fred knew them. Well. Schrager was Fred’s fraternity brother at Syracuse University. Rubell was friends with both Fred and his wife Joanne at Syracuse. Ian was a tennis player.

Another doctor visit today. A vascular specialist with Miami’s Mount Sinai Hospital. He visits Key West 4 days a month. My heart people want me to see him.

It never stops. Hopefully, my heart won’t also.

Enjoy your day!

A recent study spells out what ALL Americans already know. An issue requiring no study. The issue: Groceries are expensive!

Some of the facts and numbers in the study interesting, however: Groceries are most expensive in California, Florida is ranked #5 on the most expensive list, Miami the most expensive city nationwide.

Breaking costs down on a family basis: The average American family spends $270.21 at the grocery store per week, more than $1,000 per month. Households with children spend more. An average of $331.94 a week, 41 percent higher than households without children.

Some in the U.S. are taking North Korea more seriously. Justified.

Some U.S. experts fear an attack by North Korea on South Korea, Japan and Guam. Any or all would bring the U.S. into the conflict immediately.

Something to be concerned about.

There are two major contributors to the Key West housing shortage, not one. The well known are vacation rentals. The other military rentals. The government pays top dollar for rent. The rents are timely paid. An important consideration for a landlord.

Military rentals are crowding the market. They should be housed on base. Such would be a major contributor to rent decline and availability increase.

“Texas will not surrender.” Words spoken by Texas Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton after the Biden administration announced it will give Texas till wednesday to stop blocking U.S. Border Patrol agents access to several miles along the U.S.-Mexico border following the migrant drowning deaths of one woman and two children last week.

Texas insanity running on a parallel to Florida’s: Better that political figures, the Governors and Legislatures in both States, get their way than “justice be done,” lives protected.

Today’s podcast some 6 years old. Titled: Woe The Web We Weave When First We seek To Deceive.

Abolishing the penny is under consideration. Not much can be purchased for a penny today. In fact, is there anything?

There was a time a penny had value. In 1900, the New York Times cost just a cent. Today, the paper costs $4.00.

Making a penny involves a significant cost factor. Costs 3 pennies to make one. In 2022, the U.S. spent $93 million producing the coin.

Studio 54 was a hell of a place in New York City in the late late 1970’s. Fun time, big time.

Owners Steve Rubell and Ian Schrager made it what it was. They also made a ton of money for themselves.

Unfortunately, they developed a feeling many extremely rich persons have. They hated paying the big taxes that accompany huge earnings. On this day in 1980, they received sentences of 3 1/2 years in prison and were fined $20,000 each for tax evasion.

Satanism is on the rise.

A Satanist gave the opening prayer at the Washoe County Commission meeting in Reno tuesday. The invocation ended: “Hail the eternal rebel.” Part of the opening prayer asked the Devil to bring his “guiding actions of nobility and justice to the decisions made in the chamber.”

Christians nationalists nationwide are joining forces to recruit swing-state, MAGA leaning churches to help elect Donald Trump in 2024. A brazen effort to transform religious congregations – which technically are supposed to keep electoral politics out of the pulpit – into a campaign powerhouse for Trump.

It’s back! Lasagna at Brady’s Irish Pub. A wednesday night special. I tried it last night. A meatless three cheese dish. Excellent! The sauce especially.

Lasagna returned because Brady’s has a new chef. It stopped serving lasagna when a former chef left. The new one cooked chicken parmesan instead. As good as the lasagna it replaced.

I do not know for certain, but would bet the new chef is of Spanish extraction. As were his predecessors. Italian chefs in Key West appear to be a dying breed.

Sat next to Tony and Candy again this week. Learned more about Tony’s fisherman work. I thought he had a small boat he took out daily with 2-4 fishermen. Not so. He is a sometime captain, sometime mate on a much larger boat. One that can carry up to 55 people.

Carola gave me 3 Irish sconces she had made. I ate one for desert. Took the other two home for breakfast this morning.

Enjoy your day!

Ben Carson compared Donald Trump to the biblical King David in a monday interview on FOX News. Carson said Trump has been a “friend of religion” for years.

David is most famous for killing the giant Goliath with a slingshot and rock. David’s adulterous relationship with Bathsheba a close second. Even got her pregnant.

Carson correct in the comparison. David killed the giant, Trump killing democracy. Trump has a reputation for being an adulterer. David had at least 8 wives. The wives were not enough for David. He also had concubines.

Yes, Carson was correct in making the comparison.

Nikki Haley confuses me when it coms to slavery. Last month, she would not cite slavery as a cause of the Civil War. Tuesday she said the U.S., where owning a Black person was once legal, has “never” been a racist country.

Re the recent three migrant drownings in Texas, the Houston Chronicle called Governor Abbott a “coward” and an “embarrassment.”

Today’s podcast done 6 years ago. Brief and to the point. Titled: A Hell of a Week Ahead.

On this day in 1950, the historic Brink’s robbery occurred. Eleven men stole $2.7 million ($29 million in today dollars) from the Brink’s Armored Car depot in Boston.

The theft was almost successful. Took just under 6 years to catch the eleven. The Statute of Limitations was 6 years. The thieves almost made it!

Eight of the eleven were convicted and received life sentences. Two died before they could go to trail. One cooperated with authorities and did not do time.

Only a small part of the money was recovered. The rest is thought to be hidden in the hills north of Grand Rapids, Minnesota.

On this day in 1961, President Eisenhower warned of the military-industrial complex. He feared their increasing influence. He was correct.

Syracuse defeated Pitt last night 69-58. The second time Syracuse has defeated Pitt this season.

Syracuse played well. A relief from the recent disastrous beating at the hands of North Carolina. Syracuse made 10 three point shots.

It was The Grand for me last night. With Jean and Joe, Cindy and Steve. Matt bartending. I enjoyed a salmon dish.

Joe returning to Birmingham today. Work calls. Jean staying till the end of the month. We will do at least one dinner together during that time. Probably stone crabs.

Enjoyed also a new couple. We met for the first time. Jeff and Dana. Reside on Long Island, they are presently renting a home in Tarpon Springs. Visiting Key West for a few days.

Jeff is retired. His career was in the pharmaceutical industry. Dana still plugging away. Involved in the entertainment industry. With “Design Studio.” She is an executive producer of video content.

I enjoyed both tremendously. Sad we probably will not run into each other again.

Jeff of Italian extraction. We talked of Italian things. Also a Trumpie. A war not involved.  We were able to converse as persons should.

Tonight Brady’s Irish Pub. Italian specialty night. Chicken parmesan. Plus, Carola.

I’m off to Date & Thyme. My Monkey Smoothie fix.

Enjoy your day!

Key West whites were major bigots in the 1920’s. A major influence in the Ku Klux Klan. The head of the Klan for the State of Florida resided in Key West and ran the Klan from Key West.

On January 14, 1926, the Key West chapter of the Klan initiated 20 new members, all dressed in full regalia. The audience included the Bob Morton traveling circus which was brought to Key West by the Ku Klux Klan for the event.

On January 13, 1929, New York Yankee star Lou Gehrig was in Key West where he visited St. Joseph’s School for Boys.

The Iowa caucus is today. In blistering frigid cold. Temperature projected to be minus 10 degrees. May have/will have an effect on participation. 

Some of Trump’s supporters very gung ho. Melissa Davis, 56, is a small business owner in Wuthering Heights. She has been out in the frigid cold knocking on doors. Her attitude re Trump: “He has sacrificed so much for our country and I need to do my part to support his efforts to save America because America is dying.”

Iowa principal Dan Marburger died yesterday as a result of wounds suffered when he placed himself in harm’s way to protect students during a school shooting earlier this month. Marburger set himself between the shooter and students in an effort to protect his students.

Gun blood paid for NRA’s chief executive Wayne LaPierre’s luxury expenses for 30 years. Expenses included use of private jets, persistent spending at the Beverly Hills Hotel by a PR executive and close La Pierre adviser, limo services and hotel charges generally.

Donald Trump repeated his claim in Iowa that he has been indicted more times than the infamous Chicago gangster Al Capone. Something to be proud of, of course! What it really shows is how bad Trump actually is.

Today’s podcast some 5 years old. Title: Sieg Heil, Light the Mother Fucker On Fire and Kick His Ass.

Texas Governor Abbott condemned after one adult migrant and two migrant children drowned. The cry: “MURDER.”

On saturday, federal Border Patrol agents noticed 6 migrants in distress trying to cross the Rio Grande River. Initial efforts by Border Patrol officials to alert State officials by phone were unsuccessful.

The Border Patrol guards then tried to gain entry to the area. They were “physically banned” from entry.

Three migrants, a woman and two children, ultimately drowned. As a result of the incident, Abbott is being referred to by some as “a murderer and psychopath.”

A few days earlier and as reported herein, Abbott said the only thing keeping Texas from shooting the migrants as they come across the border is that federal officials would charge Texans officials “with murder.”

Whether by bullets or drowning, a killing is a killing, a death a death. Murder is murder.

I am compelled to comment re the Syracuse/North Carolina basketball game saturday.

A destructive embarrassing loss for Syracuse. North Carolina defeated Syracuse 103-67.

Syracuse had been improving. I felt the team had a good chance to knock off North Carolina. It was not to be. Syracuse did absolutely nothing correct. Showed none of the improvement I mentioned.

The result confuses and confounds me. I do not understand how the Syracuse team could have played so badly.

I watched the game at Jack Flats with Fred, Dan and Dave. Fred left at the half, Dan and Dave soon thereafter. I could not. I stayed till the bitter end. I could not leave the sinking ship.

A picture of four happy Syracuse faces PRIOR to the game.

While almost half the Nation freezes, Key West has enjoyed three consecutive days of 80 degree weather. I spent a bit of time at Smathers Beach in the afternoon. Packed!

I enjoyed an excellent lunch at Goldman’s prior to the beach. First time in years I have stopped there. Worthy of a soon repeat visit.

I have a 12:30 heart doctor appointment. Life in the 80’s!

Enjoy your day!

No blog today. Sloan expected momentarily. Heavy work day for her and I.

Trump won Iowa big yesterday. As expected, with 51 percent of the vote. His victory clearly reflects the stranglehold Trump has on Republican voters. DeSantis was a distant second with 21 percent. Haley third with 19 percent.

Trump’s victory, in Iowa at least, eliminated any doubt Republicans would stand by their man when it came time to vote regardless of all the “negatives” he exhibits.

An entrance poll finding: Two thirds of voters continue to believe Biden was illegally elected in 2020.

New Hampshire next.

Trump’s Iowa landslide reveals something many elsewhere may not be aware of. Iowa’s Republican Party is controlled, more than in most states, by evangelical voters. In the last 8 years, they have grown even more fanatical in their love for Trump. Trump a thrice married adulterer who bragged about committing sexual assault.

Iowa’s evangelicals are not morally upright people who mean all that talk about chastity, charity and Christian values. They are more interested in right wing politics than feeding the poor and healing the sick.

Trump supporter Larry Kudlow re Trump’s victory: The Iowa caucuses will launch one of the greatest comebacks in American history. I don’t buy it.

Key West continues to enjoy great weather. Yesterday, 78 degrees. Beaches continued to be packed.

Some parts of the South are finally being hit with the North’s freezing cold. Especially Texas and Tennessee.

Key West will continue to be ok. It’s 2 am and I am working. The temperature is 75 degrees. The high today will be 78 again. Cold expected tomorrow however. High expected to be 69, the low 67. Thursday and friday will find a return to the high 70’s.

I had a heart doctor visit with April at 12:30 yesterday. Decided on a quick lunch following. I had some research I was anxious to get to in the afternoon. Decided to grab a Subway sandwich and take it home. The day was important in Subway advertising recently. They were coming out with some new sandwiches on the 15th.

I walked in. Lots of people. Got in line and looked up at the new items. Confusing at first. Could not believe what my eyes were seeing. The first two large subs $15 and $17. That did it! I immediately left. No way was I going to spend that much for a Subway. America’s great cheap sandwich was no more.

Subway was sold a couple of months ago for millions. Guess someone has to pay for it. Not me!

The Subway prices affected me. No longer was I in the mood for a quick cheap sandwich. I drove to Pepe’s and treated myself to a tasty luncheon. Did not mind spending the extra money. I wanted quality and was willing to pay for it.

Today’s podcast 6 years old. A change of subject one: Marital Infidelity. 

Food for thought. On this day in 1919, the 18th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution establishing Prohibition was ratified by the requisite number of states. What a tragedy! Look at the crime, economic upheaval and everything adverse that it gave birth to. “Good minded citizens” brought havoc to the Nation. Somewhat similar to book banning in public schools today.

Considered by many to be the first modern novel and one of the greatest novels of all time, “Don Quixote” was published this day in 1605. Miguel de Cervantes, the Man of La Mancha, excites even today. I saw it in musical form three times on Broadway years ago. Loved the story and music! A thrill to watch each time. The music plays in my head as I write this piece.

Here are the photos I promised a few days ago of Fran and Tom Dixon taken on their Antarctica trip. The seal, bird, penguins, iceberg and Dixons themselves all look good!

Women are taking over the legal profession. Twenty years from now, they will control all aspects of the profession. 

Data recently released by the National Association for Law Placement indicated women make up a majority of law firm associates for the first time.

Miss America 2024 crowned. Miss Colorado. More importantly, a first in that she is an active duty U.S. Air Force officer. A second lieutenant pilot.

Don’t forget my grandson Robert Malcom and his writing for NoleGameday.com. The best of FSU sports, especially football which is Robert’s continuing specialty even in the off season.

Busy night ahead. The Grand and Syracuse v. Pittsburg. My body can’t take both. It may be the game. I don’t like drinking and driving home later in the evening.

Enjoy your day!