Front page headline in Key West Citizen this morning: Key West Residents Pay Some Of Highest Monthly Bills In Florida.

We had to be told? Those of us who live here know. And it is not getting cheaper.

The Citizen was reporting the results of a new study by Doxo. The study indicated Key West  residents pay 38.6 percent higher monthly expenses than most other Florida communities. Rent being the largest part of the computation.

Key West listed as #4 in the study. The three communities more expensive are Windermere, Pembroke Pines, and Wellington.

The Justice Building Blog has a humorous strain which it occasionally exhibits. This morning’s one of those.

Florida Federal District Court Judge Middlebrooks has been assigned the recent new Trump lawsuit brought by him against Hillary Clinton and others re their attempts to tie Trump to Russia during the 2016 Presidential campaign.

Trump’s basis for the lawsuit is Bill Clinton appointed Middlebrooks to the judgeship.

My opinion: The case won’t fly. Will eventually be dismissed.

One reason, too many years involved. Clinton was President 1993-2001. Clinton nominated Middlebrooks 1/1997. Middlebrooks was confirmed 5/1997. Hillary ran in 2016. Trump’s lawsuit initiated in 2022.

Again, too many years involved. Not my reason for seeing the suit failing, however. Trump’s sole basis is Bill Clinton made the appointment. Not enough to warrant a disqualification in this matter. A suit based in politics. Political lawsuits of this type are frowned upon.

With the background in place, following a few examples of the Justice Building Blog’s humor. They are such that Trump might have relied on.

Middlebrooks may be of Mexican descent because one of his ancestors was known as El Middlebrooks.

From the years 2008-2016, Middlebrooks worked in a court house that had a picture of Obama in the lobby.

Middlebrooks likes catsup on his french fries. So does Joe Biden AND so does Hillary Clinton.

Middlebrooks was overheard laughing when the former President recommended at a news conference that people drink bleach to kill the COVID-19 virus.

Middlebrooks has been frequently seen wearing a mask.

Yesterday a vote took place in the House of Representatives. Its primary purpose to express support for NATO. Sixty three Republicans voted against the resolution.

The final vote in favor was 362-63. One hundred forty three Republicans did vote in support, as well as 219 Democrats.

Helen commented on the vote in this moring’s Key West Lou blog: “Anyone concerned for why there is a problem in America right now, need look no further than the pathetic state of Republicans in our country nowadays.”

A relatively new site recently appeared. Titled: 1440. Presents daily up to date snipits of what is going on in the world.

I immediately subscribed. Love it!

Why the name 1440? Two reasons. First, the printing press was invented in the year 1440. Second, there are 1440 minutes in a day.

The husband/wife team of Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump have been in the news the past few days. Both testified before the January 6 Committee. Jared on friday. Ivanka, tuesday. Jared testified for 7 hours, Ivanka, 8.

Both volunteered to testify. A subpoena was not required for either. Neither took the 5th Amendment.

Post interview comments by certain Committee members indicated satisfaction with their testimony.

Jared was on a plane flying back from the Middle East when the rally/insurrection began. Though still ongoing when the plane landed, he went straight home. Never attended the event.

Ivanka was in Washington January 6. Several times during the day she tried to get her father to do something to stop what was going on. He refused. Her testimony is considered valuable.

Are the kids turning on the father? Covering their asses? Could be.

The ” darling” of the Republican Party! Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene. She and Ginni Thomas are destined to walk hand in hand on their way to Hell.

Three Republican Senators announced monday they would be voting in support of Judge Jackson. Senators Romney, Murkowski and Collins. Guarantees Jackson will win the Senate vote, though by a close margin.

Yesterday, Greene referred to all three as “pro-pedophiles.”

Greene by so doing revisited the QAnon attack against Senators supporting Jackson. Greene’s accusation an “ugly one.”

You have to dig deep why QAnon is against Jackson.

Recall 2016 and Pizzagate. QAnon was promoting the conspiracy theory that Hillary Clinton and other Democrats were pedophiles, operated child sex abuse facilities in the basements of certain Washington restaurants, and participated in selling the children into sex slavery.

The theory was obviously debunked. However many believed it. Many still do today.

Pizzagate was born. A Washington pizza parlor where child sexual activities allegedly were taking place: The Comet Ping Pong pizzeria.

Edgar Maddison Welch a 28 year old North Carolinian. He believed. Took his rifle and went to the Comet Pizzeria. His purpose to save the children.

He fired his rifle once into the restaurant. No one was injured.

He was arrested and charged.

Welch plea bargained and made a deal to plead to 4 years.

The judge who sentenced him was the same Judge Jackson awaiting her vote by the Senate.

QAnon hate Jackson because she sent Welch to jail for 4 years. Those Republicans on the Judiciary Committee who rode her hard are three Senators who hope to be the Republican Presidential candidate in 2024 and are seeking QAnon support.

We close with Ukraine and another dastardly Putin deed.

Olha Sukheko was the Mayor of a small Ukraine village. The Russians wanted her to collaborate. She refused. She, her husband and son, and two others were killed and buried in a shallow grave. Simply because Sukhenko refused to cooperate.

All news reports indicate the Mayor’s hands were tied behind her back. No reference is made to the 4 others. Nor is in any media report information whether she was shot in the head execution style or what.

May all five rest in peace, as well as all shot dead in the streets the past few weeks everywhere in Ukraine. Putin’s brutality knows no end.

A rare experience last night! A once in a life time!

The Final Four Championship game. Kansas v. North Carolina.

Kansas won 72-69. The path to victory was not easy.

North Carolina cleaned the floor with Kansas in the first half. At half time, the score was North Carolina 40, Kansas 25.

For all intents and purposes the game was over. In most minds, except for the Kansas players and their coach. Kansas came out in the second half and set the game on fire.

Kansas outscored North Carolina in the second half 47-29. Winning 72-69.

What a game! Dramatic! Exciting!

It will be difficult for the Kansas players to exceed anything in their lifetimes as that which they experienced last night.

Jim Boeheim once told me that when a team is far behind in a basketball game, it is impossible to win. They expend so much energy in catching up, they mentally slow down. Not realizing they are letting down.

It was not that way last night. Kansas never gave up.

The last 3 years I have spent living like a hermit. Coronavirus scared me. At my age, i was a likely candidate. So I became a recluse.

I have just begun going out. Yesterday was the third time in a week.

Donna called yesterday. Asked me to join her and Terri for a mid afternoon lunch at the Conch Republic. I almost said no. Glad I did not.

Met my lesbian wives at 3. The first time we have been together in a year.

Everything was terrific! The food, my companions and the yachts at rest in my view. As our time together progressed, I felt better. Left feeling like a new man.

I have to go out more.

Both ladies had COVID twice. They both looked terrific yesterday afternoon. Chipper the best way to describe them.

Donna a knockout. Going to be 75 this week. Does not look it.

It always amazes me how the Terri can see. If you did not know she was unable to see, you would not be aware. Additionally in spite of all her problems, her personality always up.

She is back to singing around Key West again.

What I am about to share could have been the lead or sole topic today. However the game and the girls had more to offer on a personal basis.

What follows is a story that needs to be known by as many as possible. In a sense involves Putin, the Ukraine and his dastardly deeds. Especially rape.

It’s in Putin’s chemistry. His Soviet chemistry. He is mimicking his hero Joseph Stalin.

In early 1945, the Allies were on the verge of entering Germany. Eisenhower was aware it was going to be a horrendous battle. Many Allied victims. His men were tired. The Ardennes and Battle of the Bulge had been unexpected. The men needed a rest.

The major Allies consisting of the U.S., Great Britain, France and the Soviet Union had agreed to split Germany into four zones at the end of the war. Stalin wanted and got the zone where Berlin was situated.

Stalin wanted to be the first in Germany and the first into Berlin. A number of reasons involved.

He was upset with Hitler. As World War II was beginning, Russia and Germany had entered into a non-aggression pact. Hitler broke it.

The Russian/Germany portion of World War II initially was fought in Russia. Hitler ravished the Russians as Putin is ravishing Ukraine today. Russian women subjected to mass rapings.

Stalin wanted vengeance. Alone. He pushed Roosevelt and Churchill to let him enter Germany and Berlin first so Russia could invoke the retribution it deserved.

Eisenhower, Roosevelt and Churchill agreed to let Stalin have his way.

The Allies entered a small portion of Germany and then held so Stalin could do whatever he wanted.

While approaching Berlin, Stalin had one million artillery shells dropped on its outskirts.

The Russian troops raped their way to Berlin and then Berlin itself. The numbers accurately tell the story. Most occurred within Berlin.

The rape victims’ ages had nothing to do with selection. Any age would do. Victims ranged from 8 to 80. It is estimated “as many as 2 million” were raped. Two hundred forty thousand died directly from the rapings. Another 200,000 from diseases acquired during the rapings.

Most rapings were “mass” ones. Some women were raped as many as 70 times in one session. One reporter wrote: “It was an army of rapists.”

Th Russians felt they had a right to commit the rapes. The Germans early on in the war had “violated” their motherland.

Another consideration justifying their misconduct was that the troops had not had contact with women for a long time causing “their animal instincts” to be heightened.

The Russians were “sex starved.” Such makes it understandable why they would rape older women in their 60s, 70s and 80s.

As terrible as this may sound, some of the older women found it a delight to receive the sexual attention.

Historians recognize the rapings as the “greatest phenomenon of mass rape in history.”

Even Soviet women were raped by their countrymen. Soviet women who had been transported by Germany to forced labor camps in Germany.

Stalin was very understanding and tolerated the rapings. He “understood it if a soldier has crossed thousands of kilometres through blood and fire and death has fun with a woman or takes some trifle.”

Another time Stalin is quoted to have said, “We lecture our soldiers too much; let them have their initiative.”  One example of how women were subjected to gang or multiple rapings was to spread eagle a woman to the ground, have the Russian soldiers line up, and take her one at a time.

Many rapes intentionally turned into “rape-murder.”

Another reason for the rapings was that Russians felt “inferior” to Germans. Russians had not lived like Germans. Germans were more civilized in their life styles. The white house with picket fence concept.

This feeling of inferiority led Russians to seek “honor and desire for revenge…..women were raped in public in front of their husbands before both were killed.”

Russians considered women “spoils of war.”

Several years after the war, one former Russian soldier reflected 4 years of fighting without a woman was difficult. He was young and strong, and he and his comrades thought it was fun. No sorrow.

Russia had a policy. Three days of looting and rape were permissible. The problem was the 3 day rule was not enforced.

Another former Russian soldier wrote, “We came to Germany…..to take our revenge.”

European Soviet troops were not the first to enter Berlin. Soviet Mongolian Asians were. They raped the German women with as much enthusiasm as their white European brethren.

One Mongolian rape reported involved one German woman who was raped lying on the street by many soldiers. When they were finished with her, they walked away leaving a live grenade between her legs.

Besides girls and women, there is another group that requires mentioning who died. Died not from rapings, but rather hunger and lack of medical care. Children. The infant mortality rate was 90 percent.

Years after the war, West German Chancellor Hermit Kohl and Hannelove were married. Hannelove had been gang raped at 12 by Soviet soldiers and then thrown out a first floor window.

The rape and bad back were with her for life. A childhood trauma that never left.

She committed suicide in 2001 as a result thereof.

There is a sense of Putin throughout. To this day, many Russians claim the rapes during world War II were committed by Germans wearing Soviet uniforms.

Poems were born of the tragedy. A portion of one: “A girl’s been turned into a woman, a woman into a corpse….The mother begs, ‘soldier kill me.'”

Sick! All of it. Then and now.

Not easy to enjoy your day after this reading.

Ernest Hemingway wrote, “Once we have war there is only one thing to do. It must be won. For defeat brings worse things than any that can ever happen in war.”

Words of wisdom. History proves him correct. There are instances however where the atrocities committed during a war are extremely cruel and hard to believe.

Such is the war Putin has imposed on the Ukraine.

Rape. The women of Ukraine the victims. Age immaterial. As young as 8, as old as into the 60’s and 70’s, some at gunpoint, rapes in front of children.

When the rapists are done, the bodies of many of their victims left dead in the streets. Some naked. Some dead from the multiple sex acts perpetrated upon them, others killed by the Russian soldiers when they have finished with them.

Civilians killed for no reason at all. Some killed for the sake of killing while walking a street or riding a bicycle. Other bodies found on streets with the hands of the victims tied behind and a bullet in the head. Execution style.

One victim a man. Not involved in the war. Shot as he was walking a street. A number of soldiers shot him repeatedly in one leg. Shot his leg completely off. Then all fired their rifles into the man’s chest.

My suggestion that Putin be publicly hung in Red Square too easy an ending for him. Excuse my suggestion. Putin’s penalty should be equal to his crime, if such is possible. Cut off his genitals while he is alive and screaming, shove them in his mouth, and then hang him.

Women’s basketball has reached the point of excellence.

The Final Four Championship game for women was last night. South Carolina beat Connecticut 64-49.

South Carolina has protested a civic issue all season. Racial injustice. The team and coach have remained in the locker room during the national anthem to express their protest. Every home game this season as well as all the NCAA tournament games. Including the Championship game.

The protest has been orchestrated by South Carolina coach Dawn Staley.

The end of the basketball season tonight. The men’s Championship game. North Carolina v. Kansas State.

I have no particular preference. Based on the games I have seen, I suspect Kansas will win.

Two interesting Comments to the blog the past few days. I share them with you.

Richard Hunter wrote concerning bobcats and python eggs. Another Commenter Janet Jude’s response to Richard’s Comment was “Bring in the Cats!” An appropriate title. Makes the python solution sound like a Broadway musical.

Richard directed his Comment readers to a Facebook entry: “Bobcats Eat Python Eggs.”

The thrust of the Facebook entry.

Bobcats eat reptile eggs. Especially sea turtle eggs. Sea turtle eggs have a similarity to python eggs. Dr. Mathius Tobler of the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance: “Egg hunting in bobcats is really a learned behavior…..Once some individuals figure out how to prey on python eggs they could potentially do this quite regularly.”

I have followed the Florida python problem for years. Wrote about it many times.

Florida failed to deal with the developing problem following Hurricane Andrew. Especially in the Everglades.

The python population grew. Florida was too late in deciding to deal with the problem. By the time Florida got its head on straight, the python population exceeded one million and growing.

Experts concluded years ago the problem was so bad, it could only be managed. Not eradicated. Whatever Florida has tried to eradicate the problem has failed.

My suggestion is bring in the bobcats. If the bobcats are successful, another problem will follow unless Florida has learned how to deal with such problems. Florida must assume the bobcat population will grow. Ergo, Florida must study and plan how to get rid of the problem before it becomes unmanageable.

The other noteworthy Comment was provided by Ubert: “Today, 66 percent of all eligible Americans are fully vaccinated. The other 33 percent are fully dewormed.”

The “deworming” reminds me of Trump’s Presidency.

One possible correction. I apologize in advance if I am wrong. I believe the 66 percent vaccinated are at least 66 percent having had one shot, not all.

Enjoy your day!

I was got! All the way!

I bought the  April 1 Keys Weekly breaking news story that Stock Island was to become a major cruise ship port. Hook, line and sinker!

Made sense to me. Bobby Mongelli is a person to be respected. He has been successful with his Stock Island endeavors. I could understand Bobby putting together a group of businessmen to support the idea.

Key West has a cruise ship problem that is taking forever to resolve. Opportunity presented itself and Bobby and supporters jumped in.

Additionally, Stock Island has been waiting to explode for years. So far only in small drips. A cruise port was an explosive concept.

I smiled when some Comments brought the April Fool joke to my attention. I smile as I write today’s blog. I am happy to have been gotten!

I believe hope still springs eternal for Stock Island. The day will come.

Great basketball last night!

I supported Villanova and Duke. Both lost. Such is life.

Villanova has been one of my favorites since the Big East was born some 30 odd years ago. Syracuse was part of the Big East also. Great games!

Duke a long time favorite because of Coach Mike Krzyzewski. I watched he and Boeheim grow in winnings over the years.

Monday night the Championship game. Kansas and UNC. Will be exciting!

Putin is withdrawing his forces from certain areas in the Ukraine. On the surface, a positive for Kelenskyy. Unfortunately, not a total “victory.”

As the Russians withdraw, they are planting mines all over. In homes, commercial areas, etc. Another Putin “sicky.”

I continue to repeat, the man deserves to be hung publicly in Red Square.

Many women are changing the terms by which they label the female gender. Describing them in murky terms.

Dr. Michelle Morse is the Chief Medical Official Officer of the New York City Department of Health. She describes white mothers as “birthing people.” Black and Hispanic women as “mothers.”

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez refers to women as “menstruating persons.”

The bird flu epidemic continues to grow. The affliction is technically named the Asian flu.

So far, more than 15 million chickens and turkeys in 19 states have been killed.

Enjoy your Sunday!

I have been in Key West 30 years. The word has always been Stock Island would grow big time some day. Key West was becoming too crowded.

Except for a few new hotels, Stock Island has remained Stock Island. Growth limited to a snail’s pace.

It is all going to change. Actually, the process has already begun.

Bobby Mongelli is a respected restaurateur. Hogfish and Roostica two of his successful Stock Island restaurants.

Mongelli and a group of local investors have received final approval from the State of Florida and Monroe County for one of the world’s largest cruise ports beginning February 2023 on Stock Island.

Mongelli said, “We saw the opportunity and seized the moment…..We will have one of the largest tourist attractions in America…..the largest ships will be able to dock.”

The planned facility will also include a deluxe water pool, high end store fronts, and major restaurant chains.

The planned port will have room to accommodate 14 cruise ships and 42,000 daily tourists.

Go Bobby!

Dinner last night at the Prime Steakhouse. Cathy’s last night in Key West.

Our reservations were at the bar.

Two minutes after being seated, Laurie Thibault walked in. I had not seen her in at least 3 years.

Laurie has become a leading Key West radio personality and continues to appear and manage much of Aqua’s operation.

I had Laurie join us for dinner.

A great time!

Met Jerry at the bar. He has been in Key West 29 years and we never met. Amazing! He lives on a 70 foot boat. Big! Comfortable! I know I have partied and traveled on some. His boat is parked in Key West several months a year.

Dinner was great! The best steak in Key West. Probably the most expensive, also.

I spent the earlier part of the day at the Casa Marina with Cathy. An excellent room. First floor. Balcony/patio opened to the ocean.

I sat on the balcony. Ten minutes later, my legs were burned. I lathered up with sun tan lotion. Legs still blotches of firey red this morning.

Cathy and I had lunch at the beach side restaurant. Spent a long time there. Chatting and picking. A beautiful setting: Sand, sky and water.

Cathy leaves this morning. Stopping by on her way out to say good bye again.

The lobster season ended yesterday. Depending who you talked with, it was either good or mediocre. I suspect it was more on the good side.

The season will reopen for 2 days for recreational lobstering 7/27 and 7/28. The full season opens 8/6.

It was not the catch which was insufficient. The cost to catch had risen cutting into profits. The price of gas and wood had increased. Needed wood traps had increased by $15 a trap.

Overall, several fisherman thought it was the best season since Irma which hit in 2017.

Asian sales were down a bit. The biggest share of the Key West spiny lobster catch is sent to Asian countries. China the biggest purchaser. The down side was not that significant, however.

Washington Post columnist Eugene Robinson referred to Mar-a-Lago as Trump’s Elba. Fits!

David Corn of Mother Jones wrote: “Ginnie Thomas is absolutely bonkers…..Justice Clarence Thomas is literally in bed with a conspiracy theory nutter.”

Crazies continue to become a part of Washington. The latest person desiring to move to the Capital and become a member of Congress is Alaska’s Sarah Palin. Palin is the former Republican governor of Alaska and the Republican candidate for Vice-President running with John McCain.

Palin claims the “far left is destroying America.”

I hope her reading material has expanded.

Saved the best for last today. Big time basketball tonight! I love college basketball. The Final Four begins tonight. The last 4 teams remaining alive. Kansas v. Villanova followed by Duke v. North Carolina.

Available on TBS.

I am excited!

I have personally attended 3 Final Fours. This year’s is in New Orleans. One I attended was in New Orleans also. A great town for the Final Four party!

Enjoy your day!

Great evening! Cocktails at 7 in town. Seattle’s Cathy Hokla.

Cathy and I met through this blog. She was an avid reader. We met face to face for the first time when she visited Key West for a month recently.

Cathy lived in Key West in the 1980’s. She can tell excellent stories about the Key West of those years..

She is moving to Florida. For no other reason than she wants to. The Miami area. She has been in Florida the past few days interviewing for a job at two of the universities in Miami.

Can’t be this close without visiting Louis. She is here for 48 hours. My time last night and today.

As you are aware, I rarely go out. Must break the habit. In any event, we ended up at La Te Da for dinner.

It was good to be back. The food was excellent. I stayed with the duck. It was also good to see Chris again. We go back to Antonia’s.

Cathy is staying at the Casa Marina. The room costing here something like a $1,000 a day. Crazy!

We will be spending today together.

I have a new cell phone. My “old one” was 12 years old. It was time.

Visited Verizon. Service was excellent. The manager Brandon Brady took care of me.

Difficult accommodating to a new phone. Three calls to Brandon yesterday afternoon. A 10 o’clock appointment this morning to work out 2 additional problems. Problems caused by my ignorance.

The service was fine.

Sex and drugs. A great combination! Appears some Washington legislators are into it.

Another example of the decay permeating our elected representatives.

North Carolina Congressman Madison Cawthorn spilled the beans. He operates out of a wheel chair due to a recent auto accident.

On a podcast last week, he revealed he had been invited to a sex party by another Congressman who said he and his wife were going. Cocaine would be available.

He declined.

The Republicans are up in arms. Cawthorn is a Republican Congressman. They all say…..not me! Kevin McCarthy appeared on TV for 30 minutes with Cawthorn. McCarthy of course denied his Republican brethren would do sex and drugs. Tried to make Cawthorn say he was wrong.

Cawthorn’s position re withdrawing his statement: “I will never lay down to the mob.”

I recall a time when sexual involvement by a Congressman resulted in his resignation. No more. Deviant sex and drugs ok today.

A fine example for the young of the nation.

Jared Kushner testified before the January 6 Committee yesterday for 7 1/2 hours. Voluntarily. He had little to contribute. He was flying back from Saudi Arabia that day and never went to the White House when he returned.

The Committee nevertheless said his testimony leading up to January 6 was helpful.

Ivanka has agreed to testify, also. No need for a subpoena. Her testimony could be interesting. She was in the room that day where the President watched on TV several times. Even asked her father to issue a statement twice.

I believe the two are wise to testify. Let other heads roll.

The Will Smith/Chris Rock story goes on. Time to put it to rest. Regardless of what Smith does to explain, he comes out of it looking like an ass. Rock on the other hand a person of class.

Rock has declined to prosecute.

Enjoy your day!

We lived for four years worrying Trump might press the nuclear button. Now we are discovering we should have been worried more about Putin.

The whole world is in trouble. Putin is the leader of a major nuclear power. His intelligence system is screwed up. We are being informed that Putin is either being misinformed or not informed about goings on in the Ukraine. His advisers are not speaking truth to power.

Chilling!

Following such revelation, word is being circulated that money was being moved from Russia’s military account to the personal accounts of Russian oligarchs. More than once this morning has the media suggested that millions of rubles from military accounts have most likely paid for the magnificent yachts the oligarchs enjoy.

I bid you a fond adieu. Early morning hospital tests.

This morning’s Key West Citizen has two articles clearly evidencing the love the people of the Keys have for their offshore friends. Their friends being those that reside in the ocean waters.

The two mentioned today are Ranger and Leonardo. Ranger a dolphin, Leonardo a turtle.

Ranger is new to the Dolphin Research Center on Grassy Key. He will enjoy the rest of his life living there.

Ranger was discovered in Texas waters late in June. He was in trouble. A respiratory infection and dehydration. He was discovered near his dead mother.

The Texas State Aquarium Wildlife Research Center for Care rehabilitated Ranger. He was 2 years old when his health was finally restored.

There was a problem. Ranger was too young to forge and survive in the wild. The Dolphin Research Center was selected as the place for Ranger to spend the rest of his life.

Ranger was airplaned to the Dolphin Research Center. His permanent home to be.

At this point, Ranger requires training to survive in the Dolphin Center atmosphere. The Center advises Ranger is now eating like a “champ,” plays with his toys, and is making sounds.

Sounds are important. His beginning to make sounds is an introduction to living with other dolphins at the Center. He is beginning to communicate with the other dolphins.

While training, Ranger lives alone. At some point, Ranger will move in with the other dolphins.

There is the Marathon Turtle Hospital. Today Leonardo will be returned to his ocean home at 1 pm at Sombrero Beach.

Leonardo was rescued last June. He has had tumor removal surgeries, chemotherapy eye drops, antibiotics, fluid treatment, vitamins and a healthy diet of greens and mixed seafood.

Leonardo is ready to go home.

The Food and Drug Administration announced that certain people are now eligible for a second booster shot. People over 50 and those who are immune compromised.

The second booster shot will now be available 4 months following the first. Good for me! Three days ago, it was exactly 4 months since my first booster shot.

Go for it folks! Don’t wait! Don’t be “smart!” Living is better than dying.

Trump’s hole gets deeper and deeper. I suspect it has no ending. Probably runs all the way to China.

Recall Nixon taped all conversations in the Oval Office. No one but he knew. When the taping became evident, the Court ordered it be produced. Nixon complied. He produced all but 18 minutes of the tape. The missing 18 minutes turned out to be the most important part.

Trump has committed a similar act. For a much longer time! Seven hours 37 minutes! Trump known for not doing things in a small way.

The missing 7 hours occurred on January 6. During the time the insurrectionists were attacking the Capitol. During that time, Trump and some compatriots were seated in a room off the Oval Office.

Everyone making telephone calls, texting, etc.

Following what Nixon did re the 18 minutes, laws were passed to make sure all e-mails, texts, telephone calls, etc. were kept in some recorded form. The items became part of a President’s official diary. Included were the White House switchboard call logs,

The seven hours ran from 11:57 am – 6:54 pm.

Poor Donald! It appears he is finding it increasingly difficult to hide/destroy records and get away with it. Recall his complaints that the White House toilets had something wrong with them. They were not flushing properly. Turned out it was official documents Trump was destroying by ripping them up and flushing them down the toilet.

Mar-a-Lago presented a similar problem. Trump illegally had records transported to Mar-a-Lago just before January 20. He tried to destroy them by toilet flushing. The same result as flushing in the White House. Trump complained at the time the Palm Beach sewer system was not functioning properly either.

I do not recall agreeing with Joe Manchin with regard to anything he has done. The man is selfish and self serving.

Now arises an issue where I do agree with Manchin. Cannot believe it!

Biden has proposed an additional tax be imposed on billionaires.

Biden’s plan is for a minimum 20 percent tax rate on households worth $100 million or more. The thorn in the plan is the tax being imposed on the accrued value of unsold investments.

The present law does not tax such monies till the asset is sold. No waiting under Biden’s plan.

Manchin disagrees with Biden’s proposal. I do also and for the same reason as Manchin. Lord forgive me!

Manchin’s argument which I agree with is that the wealthiest would be taxed on “things you don’t have.” In other words, the asset acquired has not yet been sold. The taxpayer has received no profit.

What Manchin is saying and what I agree with is “you might have the profit on paper,” but not in cash.

Makes sense to me. Keep the present plan in place. If Biden wants to increase the tax on the wealthy, he should increase the capital gains tax.

Enjoy your day!

Another Key West friend has moved on. Roger Keast. I received the sad news yesterday from his wife Cheryl.

Roger and Cheryl were Key West snowbirds for many years. I met them when I first purchased a home in Key West close to 30 years ago.

We became “members” of the Chart Room and Square One Restaurant.

Roger a party person. No question about it. Enjoyed life. Wife Cheryl lovely. The dutiful wife. Always attentive to Roger’s needs and made sure he was always the happy camper.

The two originally from Kankakee, Illinois. Roger a top notch electrician. Began an electrical company that grew by leaps and bounds. Today, operated by their sons.

A few years ago, Roger and Cheryl moved from Kankakee and Key West to Cape Coral. We saw less of each other as a result. Their Key West visits significantly fewer.

Though there was a connection that never failed. Cheryl kept in touch via the blog. She loyally read it each day. If the morning went by and I had not published yet, she wrote inquiring where was it, my health, etc.

Whereas Roger made me drink too much, Cheryl made me smile. No blog by noon, Cheryl would write what she described as her “daily fix.” Where was it on such a day?

My condolences Cheryl. You and Roger made a wonderful couple.

I hope you will occasionally visit us in Key West. Hurry! I am much older than Roger. I would not want to miss seeing you again.

A Citizens’ Voice comment this morning: “All over the world places ranging from other cities like Amsterdam and Barcelona to tourist towns like Sonoma, Cape Cod, and the Oregon Coast, are taking concrete steps to limit over-tourism. Here in the Keys, we continue to spend $50 million plus a year advertising for more tourists.”

Oh, how the Keys loved Harry Truman. And he loved the Keys in return, especially Key West.

On this day in 1964, the former President dedicated a bridge at Duck Key which had been named after him.

Spring breakers continue to be a problem in certain Florida locations First it was Miami. Big time problems there! Now, Panama City.

Officials arrested 78 persons and confiscated 75 guns from rampaging spring breakers. Officials called the number and types of guns enough to “arm a small army.”

One non-fatal shooting has occurred. A spring breaker from Alabama the shooter.

Those causing problems were described as “troublemakers.” Referred to as “panamaniacs.”

Officials claimed the group was being orchestrated by specific influencers online.

The Key West Dairy Queen has been a part of Key West for many years. It was already doing business when I arrived 30 years ago.

There are roughly 3,000 stores nationwide. Seventy two percent are owned by Warren Buffett’s holding company Berkshire Hathaway.

I do not believe the Key West one is.

Buffett’s Dairy Queens have launched a burger line. Five different type burgers which will be sold as part of its Dairy Queen operation.

Will Trump ever get indicted? For anythng! He has stepped over the line so oiften that it seems impossible for him not to be.

While the January 6 Committee is working hard, Attorney General Merrick Garland appears to be sitting on his ass. I warned when he was nominated this could happen. Good judges do not necessarily make good prosecutors. Judges take too long to make up their minds and before anything happens must be sure all t’s are crossed and all i’s dotted.

A federal judge may have put Garland on the spot. Sort of a shit or get off the pot thing.

Monday Federal Judge David Carter ruled that former President Trump  had “more likely than not” attempted to illegally obstruct Congress….based on the evidence.”

William Gladstone wrote, “Justice delayed is justice denied.” So true. Especially with regards to Trump’s wrongdoings which seem to take forever to pursue. Makes one wonder is Trump will walk away fre from responsibility for his wrongdoings.

I suspect Judge Cater’s decision will now accelerate matters. Americans want to know what happened, who was responsible, etc.

Two comments in YouTube this morning speak to the problem.

The first “until the words ‘Trump’ and ‘indicted’ for multiple federal crimes appear in the same sentence, I won’t hold my breath.”

The other: “Either everyone is accountable under the law, or no one.”

Washington Post columnist Charles M. Bloom in an article published this morning re Judge Jackson noted that Senate Judiciary Committee hearings for Supreme Court nominees have “long drifted into the realm of inconsequential theater.”

Right on, Bloom!

Tuesday again. Arrives promptly every week. Brings with it my blog talk radio show Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. Nine ths evening. Much to discuss this week.

Sins of many many. You will enjoy my ranting and raving. I get a lot off my chest. www/keywestlou.com/key-west-lou.

Enjoy your day!

What a night it was! The Oscars and St.Peter’s.

The Academy awards were the best I’ve seen in years. In most instances, light. A lot of laughs.

One incident marred an otherwise perfect evening. Will Smith moving up onto the stage and slapping hard Chris Rock. If Smith’s hand had been a closed fist, Rock would be in a dentist’s chair this morning.

Rock made a comment about Smith’s wife Jada’s lack of hair. I thought it was funny. Her husband did not which is what caused him the slap Rock.

Smith then returned to his seat and loudly yelled not so nice comments at Rock. Including twice “fucking.”

Great language for a show being televised internationally.

Jada suffers from a hair loss problem referred to as Alopecia. Her head appears shaved. Many women attending the Oscars last night had cleanly shaved heads.

Rock made reference to Jada as GI Jane. Such was what Smith found offensive.

Forty minutes later it was announced Smith had won the Award for Best Actor. He cried during his acceptance speech. Not because he had won, but because he felt at his stage in life he had a responsibility to stand up for other people.

Sounded like he had a Divine intercession.

Rock handled the episode well. With class. The gentleman throughout.

A brief tribute to the Godfather was held. Appearing as part thereof were Al Pacino and Robert DeNiro.

Pacino got old! He looked it! Whereas DeNiro looked fantastic. Thin, white haired, tall standing.

How the clock of time affects each of us differently.

Liza Minnelli appeared with Lady Gaga. The years had again taken toll of a great star of yesteryear. Minnelli was confined to a wheel chair, hunched over. Mentally it appeared she was slipping a bit.

Sad.

Lady Gaga treated Minnelli with love and affection. Tenderly best describes the treatment.

It was the end of the road for St. Peter’s. Destroyed by North Carolina 69-49. No competition.

Nevertheless, St. Peter’s will long be remembered in the annals of college basketball. The little guy who came from nowhere to reach the heights of collegiate basketball. Almost winning the whole thing. Came up 3 games short.

St. Peter’s was never in the game. It was apparent early on. St. Peter’s could not make a shot, whether from under the basket or a 3 pointer.

Coaching at North Carolina’s end is what did St.Peter’s in. North Carolina was a foot closer whenever St. Peter’s attempted a shot. Kept St. Peter’s off balance the entire game.

Zellenskyy asked for too much yesterday. More military hardware for one. The Ukraine is already receiving a lot. More is in the works. The United States and other NATO nations have not come up short in this area.

Zellenskyy screwed up when he suggested NATO was scared of Moscow: “NATO is intimidated by Russia.”

He and his people fail to realize a nuclear war must be avoided. As bad as the Ukraine appears today, there would be no Ukraine at all if nuclear weapons were to be used against them. Europe and the U.S. would also be in danger of a Putin inspired nuclear attack.

For the moment, NATO must continue assisting the Ukraine short of inducing a nuclear confrontation. Intimidation has nothing to do with it. The exercise of clear sense and judgment does.

Sidewalk cafes are here to stay.

Key West went to the use of outside tables and chairs initially to protect against coronavirus. The outdoor seating has worked well and from now on will be a regular feature of key West dining.

Enjoy your day!