I’M A YANKEE DOODLE DANDY

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This morning’s Key West Citizen in its World Almanac Section noted that today was the birthday of George M. Cohan (1878-1942). I love Cohan’s music and Jimmy Cagney’s role as Cohan in Yankee Doodle Dandy.

Cohan wrote songs like Over There, Give My regards To Broadway, The Yankee Doodle Boy, and You’re A Grand Old flag. He entertained millions.

The movie of his life starred James Cagney. Cagney received an Academy Award for his performance. The movie was spectacular! I have seen the reruns at least twenty times in my life and enjoyed each one.

The gym was my first stop yesterday. Bad, but not as bad as monday. I survived once again. Albert is doing a wonderful job. I hate him!

I went to the gym prepared. I had my sand chair and a towel in the trunk. Plus, a book. Headed straight over to Higgs Beach afterwards.

I was sweating big time from the work out. Went into the water immediately for a quick dip to cool off. The water was warm. Like bath water.

Placed the sand chair in the shade of a palm tree. Palm trees do not provide that much shade. The chair must be situated just right and moved periodically with the moving sun.

I continued my reading of HRC. Again, about Hillary but not the book she wrote. The book covers her time as Secretary of State. A most competent person. I would be comfortable with her as President.

I give thought each week as to what I am going to write for my next KONK Life column. The subject matter does not always come to mind easily. This is one of those weeks. Still do not know what I am going to write about. In between reading about Hillary, I gave thought to what the topic might be.

Arthur has gone from a tropical depression to a tropical storm to an anticipated #1 hurricane. The North Carolina shore seems to be in its path. I hope it misses.

Do not think that  because a hurricane is only to projected as a #1, that it is nothing. If my recollection proves correct, Wilma was a #1. It was not the hurricane that did the damage, it was the six foot surge that it brought six hours later.

Enjoy your day!

SPRING BREAKERS ON BEST BEHAVIOR

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Parents of America! Be proud! Your children are well behaved while on spring break in Key West!

Key West set up a Spring Break Court to deal with the college students partying here. I wrote last week that I thought it was not needed. My perception was that the police could handle the situation. If not and some matters proceeded to the regular court, the Judge could deal with whatever occurred in a lenient manner so the student walked away with a clean record. I was also of the opinion the whole idea was a waste of money.

The Spring Break Court was open and operating for four days. Fourteen different people at different time assisting, one a Judge. In those four days, the Court had no business come before it. Not one college student was brought before the Court.

Spring Break Court is no more. The city closed it down.

Which says to me that (1) the police were doing their job and (2) the students were behaving.

I was in all day and night yesterday. My back still bothering me. I thought it was better. Apparently not. I am still getting spasms. Though not as bad.

I was supposed to meet with grandson Robert yesterday after school. Because of my back, I could not. Robert had telephoned me earlier in the week and asked if I knew what the Parthenon was. He is studying Greece.

I have put many of my Athens pics together. Robert and I are to sit down so I can relate my Parthenon/Acropolis/Athens experiences to him while showing him the pictures at the same time. We are now going to do it saturday. I am excited! Probably more so than Robert.

The weather continues to be outstanding. High 70s by day. Cool at night. Sleep with the window open. There is a touch of humidity. Some days heavier than others. Today is one of them. I am standing in the shade of the tiki hut near the water. I stand because my back hurts if I sit too long. The sweat is running off me as I compose this blog. From the humidity, not pain.

Bocce tonight. No way can I play. Bending over would kill me!

Putin continues to be in the news. He has the world balancing on the point of a pin. Two interesting things have come to light. Each occurred in the past few days.

Putin has been nominated for the Noble Peace Prize. By a Russian advocacy group. A proper nomination. His nomination is for his activities which are claimed to have brought about a peaceful resolution in the Syrian/United States dispute regarding chemical weapons.

He could win. To me it would be like Hitler receiving the award for his actions with regard to Austria and Czechoslovakia in 1938. The world is changing. Our European friends who presently are speaking out against Putin will not be there when the chips are down. They need Russia for their gas and oil.

President Clinton made an interesting observation regarding Putin. He said Putin can be trusted. “He kept his word in all deals we made.”

A few days later, Hillary blasted Putin. She said he was tough but thin skinned.

The happy couple obviously do not agree 100 per cent on all things. Which to me is a good sign if Hillary is to be President. I want our President to make the decisions, not her husband.

For the past two years, I have in effect been knocking the courts. Here, on television, on the radio and in my newspaper column. You do not have to be a former attorney to understand. The courts have changed. The people sitting as Judges have changed. Many decisions are far out and generally to the detriment of the majority of the citizenry.

On this day in history in 1857, the United States Supreme Court said slaves were property in the Dred Scott decision. It took the Civil War which started four years later to turn the decision around.

Why did it take a four year war with over a half million dead to accomplish what nine men could have done?

The Dred Scott scenario is representative of the type of wayward decisions being decided by today’s courts.

Enjoy your day!

 

HILLARY LOOKED GOOD

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I watched the Congressional hearings yesterday where Hillary Clinton was the witness. She looked terrific! Handled those against her well.

Some of you will disagree with me. Those who are philosophically opposed to her. On the other hand, I say give her credit for a job well done. As Secretary of State and as a witness yesterday.

I did not consider her Presidential timber four years ago. I did not think she was up to the job. However, her overall performance as Secretary of State has changed my mind. Hillary Clinton could lead us.

A great dinner last night! It was neighbor time. Andrew and Cliff. Andrew owns the MTV house across from me. Cliff lives three houses down the street from me.

Two interesting guys.

Andrew is a former car dealer. His second wife Jasmine is Swiss. They have a 2 year old son, Kai. Jasmine and Kai are presently in Switzerland. Andrew returned to Key West for a few days to make sure everything was in order at his home here. He tells me next month he and the family are visiting Thailand for a month.

What a life!

Cliff never has retired. He has been in several businesses successfully. He presently has two homes in the New York area and a farm in Ulster County.

Cliff is a classic car collector. A passion with him. I received an education on classic cars last night.

We had dinner at the Yacht Club.

Tomorrow the Key West Lou Legal Hour. Ten in the morning my time. Airs of television from Key West through Miami-Dade County on Comcast Channel 87 and U-Verse Channel 19. Also available world wide on the internet. www.tvchannel19.com.

An interesting show has been prepared. I will be discussing the inauguration, Hillary and her Congressional testimony, the filibuster issue, jail inmate fraud, a new weight loss procedure, Girl Scout cookies, an update on the Python hunt, the Subway Footlong, a Brazilian judge deciding Fifty Shades of Grey too sexual, and more.

Join me for an informative and fast moving hour.

I have to hustle. Have a 10 o’clock hair appointment with Lori.

Enjoy your day!

 

 

STARTED NEW YEAR RIGHT

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I am off to less than a good start this New Year’s Day.

My blog talk radio show was scheduled for 7. About five minutes ago. I could not get into it. At my end, there are several steps to set up the show. The last two would not connect. I apologize to those of you that were up and waiting to hear pearls of wisdom fall from my lips. They would have included the fiscal cliff fiasco and Hillary Clinton, off course.

Again, my apologies. This was only week 3 of the show. Obviously still some rough edges to be worked out.

I partied last night as planned!

My goal was Duval somewhere near the Bourbon Street Pub. I wanted to see Sushi come down in the red heeled shoe.

I made it. With some difficulty. Parking was a problem. Seems like I had to park ten miles away. It was a long walk to Duval Street.

People crowded like sardines in a can. All happy. No one out of hand. The pre midnight entertainment excellent. Drag ladies performing on a stage set up in front of the Bourbon Street Pub.

I enjoyed a couple of drinks. I was able to push my way into 801 for some gin.

Several years ago, I did the midnight drop at Sloppy Joe’s. Immediately following the drop, the crowd dissipated, Sloppy’s emptied out. The night was over.

It was the same last night. Once Sushi made it down, every one left. The evening was concluded. It was ok by me as I was tired.

Sloan just telephoned. I called her earlier to figure out why I could not get into the talk radio show. She does not have it worked out yet.

My government/our government disappointed me yesterday and last night. So little, so late. Deadlines seem to mean nothing to these people. They should work for a living like every one else. If a deadline is not met, you are out of a job!

Government is broke. I am not telling you anything you were not already aware of.

Hillary Clinton’s problem bothers me. I am sure it bothers you, also. We know her. She is like family. How terrible her malady! I hope her recovery is swift.

Enjoy your New year’s Day. I am going back to bed.

WENT OUT LAST NIGHT

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I cannot diet and visit my usual haunts. The near occasions of sin are food and drink. So, I remain home evenings. My recollection is that last night was the second time in the 35 days I have been dieting that I went out.

I was excited. It was exciting.

The Chart Room was the venue selected. It had not changed. JJ bartending. Dave, Sheila, and Captain Peter in attendance.

I was good. Did not drink nor eat pop corn. Two diet Pepsi’s instead.

Captain Peter never ceases to amaze me. I learned last night he was a bird watcher.

The Captain spoke specifically of two birds. I did not know them. I know nothing about birds. He had sighted one species here in Key West. Another flying in mass over Miami recently. Both totally foreign to Florida.

The birds’ habitat is Labrador. They were far from home. Captain Peter attributes their Florida presence to Hurricane Sandy. Interesting.

Duval Street was packed. Jam packed. Traditionally, the week between Christmas and New Year’s is the busiest for Key West. Come Wednesday morning, there will be no one. You can throw a bowling ball down Duval from one end to the other without hitting any one.

Tomorrow my blog talk radio show! Seven in the morning my time. You can listen and/or call in. The show is quick moving.

This will be show #3. Help me! Not only listen, telephone me from anywhere with a comment or thought. I am going to lead with the fiscal cliff, France trying a 75 per cent tax on its millionaires, and Silvio Burlosconi having to pay his wife $3 million a month. We are not limited. Can talk about any topic you wish.

Those living outside the United States can listen in/participate via Skype.

It may be radio, but a computer is required to join me. It is a radio internet show. Found easily at www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou. Click on the second box that appears. The one with the date of the show. Voila, you will be in business!

I plan on going out again tonight. I will cheat, however. Plan on drinking. The game plan is to walk Duval a bit and at midnight watch Sushi come down on the red shoe at the Bourbon Street Pub. If I change my mind and stay in, I will still watch Sushi. CNN carries the drop live each year.

Hillary Clinton. How sad! How terrible! Hope her condition clears up swiftly.

Many were critical of Hillary when she announced she could not testify before the Congressional committee looking into Benghazi because  she had fallen and suffered a concussion. Many thought it was a convenient made up excuse. One of this blog’s loyal readers wrote and referred her malady as an “immaculate concussion.” I must concede, I thought ill of the situation as well. A lesson to be learned. Never jump the gun…..give a person the benefit of the doubt. Not all political figures are the same. Some tell the truth.

Enjoy your New Year’s Eve day! Better yet, enjoy this evening!