It’s raining violets!

Not really. Though it is raining.

This is saturday morning. Eta continues on its way. Perhaps to us.

Eta was a Category 4 when it went over Nicaragua. Then lost strength.

Eta presently moving over the Caribbean heading for Cuba. Regenerating. Will definitely be a tropical storm or hurricane when it hits Cuba.

Then Florida! Which means heavy rain, a tropical storm, or a full blown hurricane.

Yesterday it was reported to be prepared for 9 inches of rain beginning tomorrow night and into monday. This morning’s warning 10-15 inches with wind. How much wind no one seems to know at the moment.

All of South Florida is under flood watch.

My sense is few if any in Key West are worrying. I just ordered groceries and did not order any of the usual hurricane foods I normally do.

Going to be an interesting weekend and monday.

Key West seems to be the place people run off to who want to drink and raise hell, especially when they cannot do so where they live.

Last weekend 2,000 Miami college students arrived unexpectedly in Key West. To party, of course.

They came to Key West because Miami authorities had advised they were going to spend the weekend checking underage drinking.

Florida’s drinking age is 21. Confuses me why they would come to Key West to drink. Key West’s drinking age is the same as all Florida, 21.

Perhaps the 2,000 felt Key West would not be checking them as Miami intended to do.

I assume the bars made money. I assume some of the 2,000 brought coronavirus with them. Key West seems to be the ash can of the Keys regarding the virus. Significantly more confirmed cases in Key West than any other community in the Keys.

I have been informed there was a brawl on Duval involving the students. I know nothing else about it.

One case of coronavirus was reported this week involving a Key West High School student. All parents have been notified. Spot checking will be done to determine a spread, if any.

There was a time when shrimp was the Key West industry. No more. Not for years.

However 1954 was a big year in the industry. Monroe County’s shrimp production was 1,300,000 pounds. Heads-on shrimp. Dock side value $4 million.

I am concerned with the politicization of the Supreme Court.

Justice Alito is a far right conservative. He has been a Justice for many years. His approach to the law similar to Justice Scalia’s.

Alito’s public appearances are few. However most have left me with the feeling over the years that Alito respects no one but himself.

The U.S. has been divided into areas covered by one Justice alone. For emergency situations. The Justice hears the matter in person or by phone. If required, makes an immediate decision and many times if it is so deemed, directs the case to the entire Supreme Court for emergency attention.

Pennsylvania and ballot counting in the news. An important issue.

It came before Alito in one of these emergency situations. It involved mail in ballots received after 5 pm election day. An earlier order by the Supreme Court as a whole had decided that they could be received, but kept separate up to a certain point. I believe sometime yesterday.

The Republican Party said the order was not being followed. The ballots were not being kept separate. Such is the issue Alito had to entertain on a sole basis.

Initially, I was bothered that the Republican Party as an entity itself was bringing a violation case. It further concerned me that Alito was the one initially hearing it.

Politicization stuck out like a sore thumb.

After getting into it, I can say there was nothing out of the ordinary. Alito performed per law.

My one concern was that the Republican Party itself brought the lawsuit. It seems to me it might not be considered a proper party to do so.

The up front problem was that I was immediately uncomfortable. Thought politicization immediately. With justification based on Alito’s prior actions.

No one looking to the Court for help should ever get that feeling or have to fight a case where such is thought to be involved.

A primary reason Alito concerns me is his conduct in 2010 and since involving a President’s State of the Union address.

Obama was openly critical in his address of the Supreme Court’s decision the previous year in Citizens United v. FEC. The famous “corporations are people” decision.

The decision opened the door for corporations to spend as much money as they liked on indirect political campaign contributions.

All major federal officials attend the State of Union address. Not mandatory. However part of U.S. tradition and also out of a sense of respect for the event.

Supreme Court Justices attend in their robes. Are provided front row seats.

While Obama was saying what he wanted to re Citizens United, Alito was shaking his head in obvious disagreement and mouthing “not true.”

Alito has refused to attend all subsequent State of the Union addresses since 2010.

Actually, three Justices fail to attend.

One is Justice Thomas. He considers the addresses “partisan.” Even when the President making the address is a Republican.

Justice Scalia, prior to his death, refused for years saying the whole thing was “strange…..we sit there liked potted plants.”

The three forget some jobs/positions require attendance at certain matters out of respect or tradition.

Obama’s comments that night were short and to the point. He said the decision opened “the floodgates for special interests…..I don’t think an election should be bankrolled by America’s most powerful interests, or worse, by phony entities.”

Another Syracuse football saturday. My team plays Boston College at Syrcuse. Boston College is 4-3, Syracuse 1-6. Boston College favored.

I always enjoyed Boston College games. Every other year, the Syracuse/Boston College game was played in Boston. We would go! Several cars in a caravan. All friends. Couples.

It was a friday to sunday thing. We drove to Boston friday. Stayed at the Wharf Hotel. I’m sure I have the name wrong. It has been many years. What I clearly recall is the hotel was magnificent.

We partied friday night. Attended the game saturday afternoon. Left from the game to party some more.

Those were the days!

Enjoy your day!

The Electoral College has been in the news big time most of the week. It will continue so a bit longer.

Many are unaware of why there is an Electoral College. Seems to be different from the manner in which most things done by vote are conducted. Most are by majority vote. Considered the democratic way to do things.

The problem is the Electoral College does not function democratically. It distorts democracy.

The reason therefore is that the Electoral College was born of compromise.

It was 1787. The  delegates to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia had spent months knocking out the Constitution. One item especially befuddled them, however. The manner in which a President was to be elected.

Two approaches were under consideration. One that Congress should pick the President. The other that the people select the President by democratic popular vote.

The delegates were tired, impatient, and frustrated. They wanted to go home. The Presidency issue still burdened them. Ergo, they acted in haste so they could return to their homes. Compromise was the only way they could get the job done and leave.

Haste does make waste. The Electoral College is an example.

The Electoral College adopted calls for the creation every four years of a temporary group of electors equal to the total number of Representatives in Congress.

Technically, the electors are to vote for the President, not the people. The present Congress consists of 538 members. A majority vote is 270. The first to reach that number wins.

The Electoral College was not intended to be perfect. The delegates knew it. They were aware it was not the best they could produce. However, they did not care. They were tired. Their goal was to get home.

The Electoral College has been described as an instrument “cobbled together” because the delegates could not agree on anything else.

Practical reasons were also involved in coming up with the Electoral College as opposed to anything else.

At the time of the Constitutional Convention, no other country had ever directly elected its chief executive. The delegates feared wading into uncharted waters.

The delegates also distrusted executive power. They had had to deal with a tyrannical king and overreaching colonial governors. Such considered despots. They did not want to deal with another despot.

Convention delegates were divided among themselves. Each had a different reason for how and how not a President should be selected.

One group was adamantly opposed to Congress picking the President. They believed such would provide too much opportunity for chummy corruption between the executive and legislative branches.

Another group was as fervently opposed to the people directly electing the President by straight popular vote. They feared a headstrong “democratic man” could steer the country astray.

Finally, there was a group that feared a populist President appealing directly to the people could command dangerous amounts of power.

Out of the disagreements, the compromise Electoral College came to be. Its delegates to be “electoral intermediaries.”

The states would appoint individual “electors” who would cast their actual ballots for President.

Perhaps the most serious problem, the one sticking point difficult to resolve, was how to deal with slaves. Some states were slave owning, others not. The problem a power one. The more the number of people making up a state’s population, the more electors a state would have. The problem plagued the House of Representatives, also: Should slaves be included in counting a state’s population?

The result was the “three fifths compromise.” Each enslaved person would be counted as 3/5ths of a person for the allocation of electors, representatives, and calculating federal taxes.

The Electoral College has not worked as intended. It does not fit in today’s world of modern politics. The party in power typically benefits. The minority party has little chance of changing the system.

Why so difficult to change the system?

The Electoral College is part of the Constitution. A Constitutional amendment requires a two thirds vote in Congress, plus ratification by three quarters of the states.

A practical impossibility in today’s political world.

The Electoral College will be with us forever.

Enjoy your day!

When I first began visiting Key West 30 years ago, the hurricane season was 2 months long. September and October. It has grown to 6 months. June 1 to November 30.

Late season hurricanes not uncommon. That is why November was added a few years ago. Not every year, but enough to warrant recognition.

The warning is out. Expect a hurricane or tropical storm around sunday. Named Eta.

Eta began as a tropical storm affecting Central America. It is restrengthening over the Caribbean as it heads for Cuba. At the moment a Category 4. Uncertain whether it will be a tropical storm or hurricane when it hits Cuba.

The model then has it heading for South Florida. Two paths. One has the cone with Key West in the middle. The other brushing the east coast of the Keys.

Rain storms are as erratic as hurricanes in the Keys. Not the rain that accompanies a hurricane. Rather, normal rainstorms.

Some days it rains unbelievably in Key West. Streets flooded. Seems to get worse each year.

On this day in 1906, there was excessive flooding on Key West streets. No hurricane involved.

Nine inches of rain in 48 hours. Water at the intersection of Southard and Margaret 2 feet deep.

The most powerful judge in the U.S. is a Federal District Court Judge. More powerful than even a U.S. Supreme Court Justice.

A District Court Judge is the trial bench for the federal system. Cases originate at this level.

One thing a lawyer learns early on is, excuse the vernacular, don’t screw with a Federal District Court Judge. They know they have power and are not reluctant to use it.

Occasionally, a lawyer will bring a stupid lawsuit. One which has no basis in law. The Judge can determine the suit to be “frivolous” and fine the attorney. The fine generally excessive. The Judge wishes to make a point and does.

The other area of danger for a litigant or attorney is contempt of court. The Judge issues an order. The client refuses to obey. The skies come crashing down!

The client is called in, put under oath, and better have a god excuse for defying the Judge’s order. If not, the client is given one last chance to obey. Still no compliance, jail time till there is compliance.

Which brings me to Postmaster Louis DeJoy. Trump’s man. Dances to Trump’s tune.

Recall DeJoy is the person who ordered mail boxes and swift mail machine sorters to be removed.

He’s done something again.

Postal data showed that 300,000 mailed in ballots had been processed but not delivered. Processed means they were marked and there was a record they had gone through in house postal handling. Then disappeared.

In short, received but not delivered.

Twenty seven postal facilities involved.

Federal District Court Judge Emmet Sullivan issued an order that the 27 facilities be searched for the “I don’t know what happened to the mailed in ballots.”

DeJoy said no way. Suggesting the Post Office was already too busy with the election balloting processing.

Judge Sullivan said he was “shocked.” No one says “no” to a federal trial judge. Judge Sullivan said he expects full compliance with his order. Otherwise, DeJoy may be ordered in to testify under oath. The beginning of the contempt process.

Everyone already is aware of my thoughts re Trump and the election. Many contacted me to advise their thoughts re the the result as known yesterday. At a time when it looked like Trump might win. All but 2 thought as I. How could Trump get so many votes?

One of the 2 was a die hard Republican. I could understand his way of thinking. The other was concerned that Biden would raise his taxes. The gentleman does not make $400,00 a year. At best around $100,000. His taxes would not be raised under Biden.

He did not know.

It supports my thought that many who voted for Trump did not understand what they were doing or what was involved. They were primarily moved by Trump’s bravado. And that he was defecating on powers to be for them.

Politically, Key West is split politically. If anything, the Republicans having a slight edge.

This year the Florida Keys went as Florida in general did. A red wave. It reached throughout the Keys. Steamrolled the Democrats.

There were 3 ballots affecting cruise ships in Key West. Three referendums. Their purpose was to limit the size of cruise ships and total number of passengers.

The three referendums: Ships overall limit 1,500 visitors a day, no cruise ship with more than a 1,300 passenger capacity permitted, and priority given to cruise lines with the best environmental and health records.

All 3 referendums were passed by huge numbers.

Not the end of the battle, I suspect. Margaritaville has a major dock involved and probably will appeal. Bar owners may join them.

Key Westers wanted the limits imposed. I was for prohibiting cruise ships entirely. Cruise ships not to be allowed in Key West.

Key West makes a buck off the cruise lines. So much per passenger.

That’s it! Passengers walk the streets, drink and buy cheap souvenirs. They rarely eat in Key West. Their meals on board having already been paid await them free.

They crowd sidewalks slowly moving, gawking at everything, spending little.

The ships pollute. Key West waters have naturally cleansed themselves during the year the cruise ships have already been barred. The water where they sit all day is now clean. You can see bottom bottom.

Key West has a coral reef that has gotten sick over the years. Many believe the cruise ships with their discharges have contributed heavily.

The climate, the air, and even ocean waters when kept clean, contribute to good health and long life. Key West a healthy place to live!

On this day in 1937, Rebecca Ambrister died. She was a member of Bethel A.M.E. Church. She was 116 years old when she passed on, having been born June 1, 1821.

Enjoy your day!

I called it wrong.

In two ways.

First, I thought a blue wave was coming. Second, from my perspective, Trump had committed so many wrongs the people realized he had hurt them and would throw him out of office.

I don’t know who will win yet. It is 6:30 in the morning. It will be a few days more before we know who will be President. Could very well be Trump. If Biden, it appears he will have to put up with a Republican Senate.

Why are Americans so willing to support a Trump? Do people care any more who leads them?

Seems to me it makes no difference to people. They have followed Trump into the abyss.

It’s a new world. People’s values have changed.

We are a lost society.

This day will go down in history as the day the U.S. found its way once again. Corrected a mistake which almost destroyed it. The day Americans recognized their mistake of 2016 when Donald Trump was elected President.

Trump’s time will end January 20, 2021. Thank God!

Trump’s four years have been horrible. The fourth especially so. American Psychological Association CEO Arthur Evans said, “This has been a year unlike any other in living memory.”

America will be reborn today with the election of Joe Biden as President. Birth carries with it pain and suffering. America has suffered for four years. A choice of its own making. Can also be described as a mistake.

Whatever. Four years ago Americans were unhappy with Washington government and decided to take a different route in the form of Donald Trump. It did not work out. He proved not to be a savior. Instead seemed bedded with the Devil.

Dethroning Trump will be a return to normalcy and democratic government.

This past year has represented one best described as election stress disorder. Millions of Americans are so afflicted. Add to it coronavirus and racial reckoning, America has been overloaded.

A sense of dread and isolation prevails as a result.

The Washington Post columnist Peter Baker on 6/5/20 wrote, “The White House looks like a fortress under siege.” He was writing about the fence Trump had placed around the White House. High. Supposedly non scalable. Such took place when furor in the streets of Washington was at its highest.

The fence is back. Why the fence again? For the same reason as the former. Trump is in terror. Afraid. The bulliest of bullies worries about Americans storming the White House and doing him harm. Similar to what occurs in banana republics. Which Trump has made the U.S. in many respects.

America in most instances is a land of joy. A condition non existent under Trump. In fact, made consistently less each day of his Presidency.

The U.S. is a nation of music. Songs describing particular eras. Some joyous, some sad.

There is a particular song that fits what the American people have been experiencing. The artist was signed by the Beatles, the song produced by Paul McCartney. How can a Beatles’ favored song be bad in any respect?

“Those Were The Days” is a 1968 remake of an old Russian song sung by Mary Hopkins. Its words can be said to fit what America has experienced the past four years and what future days may be.

“Once upon a time there was a tavern / Where we used to raise a glass or two / Remember how we laughed away the hours / And dreamed of all the great things we would do.”

“Those were the days my friend / We thought they’d never end / We’d sing and laugh forever and a day / We’d live the life we choose / We’d fight and never lose / For we were young and sure to have our way…..”

A womanizer should not fool with a woman. Such woman speaking in the vernacular would remove the person’s balls.

Trump took on Lady Gaga. Gaga immediately retaliated and unloaded on the sexual predator Trump.

Gaga has been openly supporting Biden. Monday Trump took after Gaga.

Fracking is big business in Pennsylvania. It has provided jobs to hundreds of thousand Pennsylvanians. In a factually unsubstantiated tweet, Trump attacked Gaga about her purported comments claimed to have been made 8 years ago. He described her as an “anti-fracking activist.” He added she was “a sharp stick in the eye for 600,000 Pennsylvanians who work in the fracking industry.”

He added at the end he “could tell us stories about Lady Gaga.”

Gaga responded at a Pennsylvania rally monday night where she was introducing Biden: “Now is your choice to vote against Donald Trump, a man who believes his fame gives him the right to grab one of your daughters or sisters or mothers or wives by any part of their bodies. Vote for Joe, he’s a good person.”

I will be watching the early returns beginning at 7. Unfortunately, my blog talk radio show conflicts with the returns for a time in the evening. At 9 is Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. My quick half hour show where I have the opportunity to rant and rave, especially re politicians.

I expect none of my followers to listen tonight. I do remind you however, that my show is archived at 9:30 sharp. Available from that point forward to be heard at your convenience. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou.

Don’t forget to vote!

Enjoy your day! Enjoy your evening!

An interesting week ahead. A dangerous one. Whether a losing demagogue will try to recapture his claim to the Presidency. Assuming of course he loses the election.

If Trump does, it will not be by peaceful means. Impossible. Involve violence? Definitely. Blood on the streets? Probably.

The issue has been out there for months. The media has discussed it extensively. However in recent days, not so much.

The Atlantic and the Washington Post have approached it right on  the past few days. The Atlantic’s article of 11/1/20 and Washington Post’s of 10/31/20.

I draw on the 2 articles and my own thoughts in composing today’s blog.

The election result may be violent and chaotic. As bad as the 1850’s leading up to the Civil War and the 1967 Weather Underground civil unrest.

Happenings have already set the stage. Extremists recently plotted to kidnap the Governor of Michigan, militias are recruiting police and soldiers into their ranks, the President has encouraged followers to monitor polling places, and asked the Proud Boys to “stand by.”

In addition, Trump refuses to agree to “a peaceful transfer of power.”

Present signs suggest a high risk of violence as soon as this week. A continuation of the rage and tension which are part and parcel of the U.S. today.

Americans are more polarized today than the years leading to the Civil War. Two prominent contributing factors: Protests against police racism and far right militia groups.

There is another which must not be forgotten. Probably the most important. In Trump, the U.S. has a President who is prepping his supporters in what to do in case he loses.

Unquestionably, disputed elections are more likely to lead to protests and violence. The consequences of losing are unbearable to most.

Some feel the need to rescue their nation through heroic action. Some by engaging in acts of violence and extremism.

The source of violence today in the U.S. is the far right. Most believe far right groups will be responsible for future violence. Indicating violence will be spontaneous and localized. Right and left wings clashing in only a few cities.

I do not agree.

The “war” will be national. Trump will rely on groups such as ICE, the Border Patrol, and certain military units to “verify” his Presidency, support the militias, and guarantee his reelection as a fact.

There is another factor that could initiate violence. Earlier than later. Trump sending in armed people to take over election administration centers and recount centers in an attempt to move the vote to his favor.

As with a wildfire, a spark could set things off.

Take Portland, Oregon for example. A right wing armed group plans to show up at ballot drop off sites on election day tomorrow with weapons in plain view.

Some extreme left wing organizations are planing to take to the streets in counter protest.

In Portland and elsewhere, street rallies and protests will be prevalent. I read somewhere that “a riot is the language of the unheard.” An interesting comment.

Violence in the present instance will be the result of Trump becoming that which he so despises: A loser.

There are signs in addition to those earlier set forth indicating violence is a moving black cloud that may set over the U.S. A sharp increase in gun sales. A spike in chatter re a civil war when right wing extremists gather together. An increase in violent language by Trump and others in his administration. Finally, some Americans showing an increased willingness to view violence as an acceptable tool against political opponents.

You need not me to tell you these are bad times we have been living through. Evil. Diabolical. Never saw it before in my lifetime nor as a student of history in the 244 years the U.S. has been a nation.

Hopefully there is a new day coming. One where the American family will be reunited. It’s kumbaya time again!

Enjoy your day!

“The grandeur that was Rome.” The grandeur that is Rome.

A multi-faceted city. It has everything. Including the Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Basilica, the Vatican, the Coliseum, the Trevi Fountain, the Roman Forum, Churches on every corner, the catacombs, Piazza Navona, ruins of old Rome, the Pantheon, the Spanish Steps, and on its streets buildings so old and beautiful they defy imagination.

The preceding a handful that quickly come to mind.

It was the summer of 1985. Absolutely the worst time to visit Rome. The heat unbearable. Romans leave the City for 1 or 2 months in the summer to escape the heat.

They go to the mountains and seashore.

I did not stay in Rome itself. I rented a villa for a month 42 miles outside of Rome in Livonia. Perched on a small hill on the Mediterranean with a private walkway to the beach.

My family and parents were with me. My mother turned out to be a blessing in disguise. She was the only one who spoke understandable Italian.

We had rented 2 cars. Visited Rome frequently. Generally one day in Rome, one day at the Villa. Sometimes took the train back and forth. An experience.

We took the wrong train back one day and ended up on Lake Como, once the Pope’s summer residence. Just as the sun was setting on the residence.

The error of our ways was worth it.

Since today is the date in 1512 when the Sistine Chapel Ceiling was opened to the public, I wish to share my Sistine Chapel experience with you.

A God is in His heaven, all is right with the world moment.

The entrance to the Sistine Chapel is through the Vatican Museums. A separate and distinct beauty from the Chapel itself. The museum portion we went through was a long corridor perhaps 12 feet wide. The Catholic Church has hanging on the walls and ceiling (yes, on the ceiling also) many many paintings. No wall or ceiling space evident. Frames touching each other.

I would have estimated the paintings’ value in the millions back then. Today, the billions.

All of a sudden you were in the Sistine Chapel itself. A large but not so large room. Michelangelo’s ceiling above.

We were packed like sardines in the room. No exaggeration.

Everyone’s neck cranked back to look up at what is regarded as one of the major accomplishments of human civilization.

Awesome. Everyone speechless. Only the sound of breathing.

I was fortunate to visit Rome many years later again. This time in the winter. Very few tourists. As a result, no crowding.

Sean Connery died last night in his sleep at age 90. May he rest in peace.

One of the great 007s.

I admired his acting. He worked till his later years. Always in a starring role. Roles he grew into.

Living in Key West, you learn about our coral reef. Often in trouble. Sick with what is known as coral bleaching.

There is a coral reef running along one side of Australia. Known as the Great Barrier Reef.

It has been there I assume as long as man has existed.

The last time anything new was discovered about the reef was 120 years ago. Now, a new and unbelievable discovery!

A portion of the coral reef has been discovered which is taller than the Empire State Building. Never seen by anyone before. It was discovered by a remote operated vehicle.

The Great Barrier Reef and this newly discovered rather tall portion has existed like forever without being affected by the malady coral bleaching.

What I am about to discuss raises the question whether the occurrence is America. Is us. It reflects a situation where a number of people were placed in harm’s way.

Saturday night, a Biden bus was traveling San Antonio to Austin on I-35 for Biden’s speech later in the evening. Biden was not on the bus.

Some Texans have had a “Trump Train” during the campaign. A Trump Train is a series of tractor trailers and cars. Saturday night numbering around 100. Flags and Trump paraphernalia adorning the vehicles. Horn blowing and adults whooping it up. Yelling profanities and obscenities.

The Trump Train surrounded the Biden bus. Trying to force it to stop in the center of the highway or push it off the highway.

Biden’s staffers were rattled. Called 911. The police came. The local police assisted.

Out of an abundance of caution, the Biden rally later in the evening in Austin was cancelled.

When Trump became aware, he tweeted “I LOVE TEXAS.”

Why did the Trump Train Americans do what they did? For the same reason that coronavirus is out of control. Their leader Donald Trump supports no mask wearing and social distancing. If he does improper crazy things, they can also.

It is a reflection of lack of respect. Respect for each other. It is ok to disagree and argue. It is never proper to let things get out of hand so others may or do suffer.

Should Trump win, these same followers will find out over the next 4 years how there lives will change. America will clearly be on the road to an authoritarian regime. Note regime, not government. Trump will bully and defecate on his followers because that is the nature of the man.  They will discover they live in a new world!

My poor Syracuse. Lost to Wake Forest yesterday 38-14. Record this season so far 1-5.

Woe is us!

The Key west Citizen was born this date in 1906.

Key West’s daily Inter-Ocean and weekly Key West Citizen combined to become the daily Key West Citizen.

Enjoy your Sunday!

Covid-19 on a rampage. The numbers rise daily.

Yesterday was a record setting one. Nearly 100,000 new cases in one day. The actual number 98,583.

Another record breaking number this past week. The U.S. passed the 9 million mark for coronavirus cases.

Yesterday was a normal one as far as deaths wee concerned. In the area of 1,000. Actually 978. Total U. S. deaths exceed 230,000.

The election 4 days away.

The U.S. has reached the point where the virus is not merely a “scourge.” It is a “fiasco.” More people have died in the U.S. than any other country.

The House Sub-Committee on Coronavirus described the pandemic as “among the worst failures of leadership in American history.”

Tuesday’s election is literally a choice between life and death. Americans must understand the need to work together against what is a common threat.

Trump thinking along the way may have been creative. Like a shot in the arm or a drink of bleach. Fortunately few followed his Clorox suggestion.

When it comes to coronavirus, the U.S. needs a President who is genuinely pro-life.

Trump’s recent consistent cry has been “we’ve rounded the corner.”

Yesterday at a rally he said, Covid-19 deaths have dwindled to “almost nothing.”

This past week Trump blamed the doctors for the increased coronavirus numbers claiming “doctors get more money if someone dies.”

Donald Jr. on FOX News this week described the medical experts who have been talking about a surge in cases as “truly morons.”

San Francisco Mayor London Breed said, “We are tired of Covid-19 but Covid 19 is not tired of us.”

An example of how coronavirus quickly gets out of hand is a faith based retreat held over the summer. Ninety percent of the students and counselors  who took part in the summer event came down with coronavirus, the CDC said in a new report.

One student alone was the source of the infection that was able to spread through the camp because there was no mask wearing or social distancing.

Dr. Fauci is the nation’s leading infectious disease expert. Nevertheless, he is a frequent Trump target.

Fauci acknowledges that pat of the reason some Americans refuse wearing masks or social distancing is “that feeling of independence and not wanting to be told by authority of what to do.”

Fauci added, “But absent a vaccine it is all we can do.”

I would add a simple failure in leadership an example. Trump refuses to wear a mask or social distance. His rallies shoulder to shoulder.

The U.S. has to cut the bullshit and follow the rules. “People” meaning not only citizens, but also political leaders.

The election is not so much a political one as one to save lives. I believe many have become aware of such. So Democrats, Republicans, Green Party members, Libertarians, and Independents do the morally correct thing. Vote Democratic! The life of the U.S. and its people depends on a blue wave.

Enjoy your day and a Happy Halloween!

In 2016, Hillary was unquestionably the winner going into election day. Turned out she was not to the surprise of many. I one of them.

Wherever significant, the polls had Hillary 2-3 points ahead. Donald won most of those states via the Electoral College.

As a result, many have little faith in polls in 2020.

Biden has a 4-5 point lead in certain significant states. Should make the difference. Hopefully.

If so, Biden will be President. If not, 4 more years of Trump. The country will not survive if such is the case.

Donald Trump Jr. is cut from the same clothe as his father. Bullish. Knows it all.

A day or two ago, Donald Jr. dismissed off hand the number of coronavirus deaths.  Claimed “the numbers are almost nothing.” He so spoke on a day when the number of deaths was 1,000.

The same day, Donald Sr. claimed “deaths were way down.”

Some do not like to play by the rules. Wilbur Ross is Trump’s Secretary of Commerce. His moral character on a level with Trump’s.

Trump promised 4 years ago to “clean the swamp.” Instead, he added to it.

One of the additions is Wilbur Ross, though neither arrested nor charged with any criminal activity.

The U.S. has been engaged in a trade war with China since 2017. A trade war which has hurt the economy of each nation.

Cabinet members are not supposed to have any connection with a foreign nation. The rule dd not seem to bother Ross.

When Ross became Secretary of Commerce, he signed a letter confirming he had no connection with the Chinese Company Huaneng nor was he a member of Huaneng’s Board or WLR’s Board. A few years earlier, Ross’s company W.L. Ross & Company had entered into a joint venture with Huaneng and Ross became a Board member.

His letter of 2/27/17 was not correct. He had not disengaged himself from any Chinese ventures, was a Board member of the joint venture company, etc.

Ross did not leave the Board seat till late 2019.

It appears Ross was a Board member during the years the U.S was engaged (and still is) in the trade war with China.

Ross placed himself in a difficult position as a result. One cannot serve 2 masters at one time.

Tucker Carlson is the infamous FOX political commentator. His present show “Tucker Carlson Tonight.”

Carlson recently broke the record for being the highest rated monthly news show in the history of cable news. His audience 5.4 million per night. His salary much more than that number.

A couple of weeks ago, it was announced Carlson is considering running for President on the Republican ticket in 2024.

A horror! He reminds me often of Donald Trump.

Strange things frequently occur. Most recently in New Zealand.

Two items were on the ballot for approval. Euthanasia and recreational marijuana.

The populace voted for euthanasia and rejected recreational marijuana.

The euthanasia law will permit doctors to legally prescribe a lethal dose of medicine to patients suffering from terminal illnesses wherein their lives were likely to end within 6 months.

Seems like the whole of the U.S. is voting early or by absentee ballot. Even here in Monroe County. Early voting is up 52 percent as of this past wednesday.

May Johnson. Our lady of the past amuses and concerns me. In today’s vernacular, surface wise she appears to be a “good girl.” I wonder, however.

Last night she danced with Charlie at La Brisa. Did not get home till midnight.

In the meantime, her “love” Everest continues to work out of town.

I had another hospital test yesteryear. Drove down Duval afterward. Around noon. This is the last friday of the faux Fantasy Fest.

More people than previously reported. Up to 30 percent of the crowd that would normally be walking  Duval on this particular day.

Not one person wearing a mask.

Tonight, the parade. Twenty some odd floats. No means of propulsion needed. They will move down Duval on a moving track.

The size of this year’s floats dictating how they are to move. The floats cannot be larger than 18 inches, nor higher than 18 inches, nor wider than 18 inches.

Ain’t going to be any nude ladies on these floats!

Enjoy your day!

This is my last change of pace blog till sometime after the election.

I wrote the blog early on in my “blog career.” Ten years ago in 2010. One of the first written.

The blog was humorous then. Humorous now. A strange happening.

Title: DON’T SHAVE YOUR PRIVATES WHILE DRIVING

Don’t Shave Your Privates While Driving

Truth is stranger than fiction. The following proves it.

Megan Mariah Barnes was driving south on US 1 in the area of Cudjoe Key on March 2, 2010. Her destination was Key West. Her purpose to meet her boyfriend.

Megan was a 37 year old divorcee. Her former husband was riding in the passenger seat with her.

Megan was apparently preparing for her date. She was shaving her privates. Her bikini area.

Her former husband was assisting with the driving. He was steering. Megan was operating the foot pedals.

The two were not operating the vehicle in sync. They rear ended another vehicle.

No drinking was involved.

Many states prohibit driving and the use of cell phones. Some forbid texting while driving. All say don’t drink and drive.

Soon in the State of Florida, I anticipate a law prohibiting the shaving of one’s privates while driving!

That is how laws come about. Some odd ball thing happens that has not occurred in the past and legislators are quick to pass a law to cover the situation. Always after the barn door has been left open and the cow is out.

The media went bonkers with this story. It was on all the major TV news and talk shows.

Morning Joe is an example. Willy could not stop laughing. Joe yelled. Mika almost had a heart attack. Pat Buchanan, in his fatherly manner, calmly said…..let’s move on.

Which brings us to the more philosophical question of the day. What about sex while driving?

You may not believe what I am about to share with you.

The issue came up six years ago in Germany. The court ruled sex while driving is perfectly legal. So is masturbation. And shaving and changing a radio station. The German courts consistently rule that the right to engage in sex while driving is constitutionally protected.

German decisions rely not only on their own precedent, but also Russian cases. Apparently sex while driving is a popular practice in Russia. There, too, it is constitutionally protected.

The Germans and Russians decide the issue on the side of individual rights. Whereas, here in the United States the concern is for the public good. Public safety.

So…..if your preference is sex while driving, I suggest you move to Germany or Russia. Sex while driving in the United States is a no no.

And probably will remain so!

EPILOGUE

Florida never passed a law covering the situation. I suspect for 2 reasons.

First, anything “abnormal” is generally pursued in most states under “reckless driving.” Other states have adopted laws throwing such situations under “distracted driving.”

Florida does not have a distracted driving law. It does have a reckless driving law, however.

Which brings us to the second reason a new law was not considered.

Megan had her own special track record.

She had previously been convicted of driving under the influence and driving with a suspended license.

In this instance, Megan was charged with driv with reckless driving, driving with a revoked license, leaving the scene of an accident with injuries, and driving with no insurance.

There was enough to “get her” with the new charges.

It appears Megan may have lacked normal understanding. The police officer who made the arrest asked her why she didn’t hit her brakes when she saw the SUV. Her response, “I told you, I was shaving.

Enjoy your day!