Good morning!

Short blog this morning. Have to get the car to the garage. New tires and brakes.

Today’s title can be read 2 ways. One good, one bad. If you did not pick up on it, reread it slowly.

I won’t waste your time going over yesterday’s happenings. We are all aware. However, I would like to share some thoughts.

With the Impeachment Inquiry, the die is cast. The Rubicon has been crossed.

Trump’s UN presentation left much to be desired. He spoke of the U.S. as a national nation, not a global one. I do not buy it. Not a healthy way to go. Everyone needs friends!

Giuliani has lost it! Amazing! The man was a great U.S. Attorney and Mayor. His time has passed.  Trump would be better off without him. He is only going to get Trump into more trouble.

Republican talk will be that with the Impeachment Inquiry, the Democrats got Trump. Not true. Trump got himself.

Trump’s lack of truth is one of the things that has led to the Impeachment Inquiry. He apparently never read: “Use the power of your word in the direction of truth and love.”

Howdy Doody went over well! Glad I wrote it! Some day, I will do the Mickey Mouse Club. Nothing wrong with remembering/being reminded of that which was enjoyed in days earlier.

Jean Thornton called from Birmingham. Loved the Howdy Doody bit! Though much younger than I, she falls in an age bracket that would.

Kokomo Man often comments re the blog. He brought to my attention that I forgot Clarabell the Clown. I did. Sorry. Clarabell never crossed my mind. Must be age.

Clarabell was one of the regulars on Howdy Doody. He was mute.

Over the years, 3 different persons played Clarabell. One was Bob Keeshan. He had his own show in later years as Captain Kangaroo. As Clarabell, he communicated through mime and honked his horn for “yes” or “no.”

Even the Peanut Gallery got into the act with Clarabell. Howdy Doody was not the only one who had a dedicated song. Clarabell, also. The kids sang it every show. It began “Who’s the funniest clown we know? / Clarabell / …..And since the day that he was born / He’s honked and honked his horn.”

Clarabell only spoke once in the 13 years the show was on. At the end of the last show, the camera zoomed to his face. With tears running down his cheeks, he said “Good bye.”

The entire staff cried with him.

Climate change! Climate change! Climate change!

A priority today. Even though some such as Trump do not believe it is for real.

Today’s New York Times ran a column by Brad Plumer: Major Climate Report Warns Of Severe Damage To The World’s Oceans. The report referred to was one the UN published the day before as part its climate change program.

The report stated the Earth’s oceans were under severe strain from climate change “threatening everything from the ability of people to harvest seafood to the well being of hundreds of millions of people living along the coasts.”

Key Westers have a special concern. We live on the ocean. In due course, many of our homes will be washed waw. Foodwise, fish a big thing. Most Key Westers eat fish every night of the week for dinner. Why not? Definitely fresh and tasty. Cheap also. Many catch their own.

The marine biologist Hans-Otto Portner claims, “The oceans are sending us so many warning signals that we need to get emissions under control.”

The word is definitely out. Are a sufficient number listening?

Enjoy your day!

Howdy Doody was an integral part of my life for more than 30 years.

I am 84. I remember. Those still alive going back 3 generations would also recall. Five days a week at 5.

The Howdy Doody Show! An American children’s program. First show December 27, 1947. Ran till September 24, 1960.

Howdy Doody was the puppet star. His name derived from an introduction phrase used in early western U.S. A corruption of “How do you do?” The Westerners, “Howdy doody, howdy do.”

Bob Smith was the live guy. He created and hosted the show. Known on the show as”Buffalo Bob.” Named after his home town Buffalo.

Now to put the show into perspective.

It was an immediate hit! Young and old alike. I started watching the show when in the seventh grade. Rarely missed a show. Enjoyed it through high school and college. Had to skip law school. No time. Too much studying.

I would be remiss if I failed to point out how we watched Howdy Doody in college. Each floor of my dorm had a game room. A couple of pool tables, easy chairs and a TV set. Everyone showed up at 5 to watch Howdy Doody.

America’s future leaders!

There was a Peanut Gallery. Forty young kids sat on bleachers during the show. They sang Howdy Doody at the beginning of each show. Sung to the tune of “Ta-ra-ra boom-de-ay.”

We all sang it along with the Peanut Gallery: “It’s Howdy Doody Time, / It’s Howdy Doody Time / Bob Smith and Howdy, too. / Say Howdy do to you. / Let’s give a rousing cheer /  ‘Cause Howdy Doody’s here. / It’s time to start the show / So kids, lets go!”

Today became Howdy Doody day for the blog because the last day of the show was on this day in 1960.

Stopped first last night at the Side Bar and Tattoo’s. Looking for David. No David.

Went around the corner to Aqua for Dueling Bartenders. My lesbian wife Terri White was guest performer. Soon after arriving, my other lesbian wife Donna showed up. She is still in a full leg brace and walking with a cane. Her forehead bruise gone. The cut almost healed.

Terri was unusually good. As was Rick Dery.

Mary in attendance. I had not seen her in more than a month. We had dinner together afterwards at La Trattoria.

Duval was dead. The way Key West is in september. Except for one year as JustSaying reminded me this morning. Not 2017. I forgot Irma on Septembr 10.

Opium poppy farming in Afghanistan remains a successful business. I have written to the issue many times over the years. I do so because something stinks in Afghanistan. Big bucks being made in a country that has been devastated by war since 2001.

The U.S. went to war in Afghanistan in 2001.Ninety percent of the world’s heroin gets its start in Afghanistan. Most of which ends up on our streets in the U.S. Addiction and deaths big time.

In  a war which has killed hundreds of thousands, the poppy farms are never touched. The war lords and farmers working their fields prosper in safety.

Hard to understand. Someone has to be on the take.

The U.S. has spent $1.5 million a day fighting the problem.

What I am about to report is no reflection on Trump. The opium problem has existed since 2001. Trump has only been in office 2 years. However, the best 2 years for Afghanistan’s poppy growing have been the last 2.

Perhaps the lucrativeness of opium production has kept the war going 19 years.

Some things I find difficult to understand.

Trump recently deployed more military to Saudi Arabia. Following the bombing.

Why? Our military does not belong in Saudi Arabia. There is no legitimate reason to be there. The U.S. has no agreement with the Saudis that any attack on them would be considered an attack on the U.S. The bombing killed no American military or citizens. No U.S. property was damaged. The Saudis have their own planes missiles.

Trump is befriending in the wrong way. War is war. If actual fighting should occur, we will be involved. By sending U.S. troops, Trump is looking for war. He may find it.

Trump says the U.S. troops are to assist the United Arab Emirates, also.

A further example of Trump looking for trouble occurred within a short time following the deployment of the troops. Trump announced he had sanctioned the Central Bank of Iran. Iran’s sovereign bank. The sanction “cut off” Iran’s bank from the U.S. banking system.

That which ye seek, ye shall find. Look for war and you will find it.

This Trump/Biden/Ukraine fiasco a disgrace. Trump accusing Biden and his son of wrongdoing where more than one investigation has determined no wrongdoing occurred.

Trump now calling Biden “corrupt.” The pot calling the kettle black. The man is sick!

America wake up!

Greta Thunberg. I worry about this young lady. She speaks truth. All over the world. Yesterday, she addressed the U.N.

Greta is only 16. She speaks with emotion re climate change. Her face flushed red constantly. Her words honest.

However, I fear for her health. Her sanity. She is carrying a heavy load. She has been pulled out of school, being used for political propaganda, being exploited. Note, child exploitation.

Where will Greta be 10 years from now when she is 26? Normal, a basket case, a woman with grave emotional problems?

She is being misused.

Tonight my blog talk radio show. Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. Much to discuss. Actually rant and rave about. Join me at 9 my time. I guarantee you a fast moving and interesting half hour.

Enjoy your day!

September is Key West’s quiet month. Few visitors. Some restaurants and shops closed.

Something was needed to fill in the blank month. Nine years ago a group of locals got together and decided a music festival of sorts for locals.

The Key West Musicians Festival was held this weekend. Local musicians showcasing local music. The event was held at Smokin’ Tuna. Afternoon and evening, saturday and sunday.

Big crowds! Boisterous! Enjoyable!

A portion of the proceeds are set aside for a local charity, the Sister Season Fund.

On this day in 1954, Hollywood producer Hal Wallis was in Key West. He was scouting for a place to shoot Tennessee Williams’ The Rose Tattoo.

Hallis settled on a house on Duncan Street. Two doors from Tennessee Williams’ home. One and a half blocks from Lisa’s home today.

The movie starred Burt Lancaster and Anna Magnani. Magani won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance in the film.

Big event in Houston yesterday! India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Trump met at a rally at Houston’s NRG Stadium. Fifty thousand spectators. Not there for Trump. There for Modi.

Texas has 400,000 Indian-Americans living in Texas. The 50,000 at the stadium were Indian-Americans. Seats only by reservation.
Sold out a month before the event.

Instead of the mountain going to Muhammed, Muhammed came to the mountain. Trump wants the Indian-American votes. Most are registered Democrats.

Modi and Trump walked around…..Holding hands! The crowd chanting Modi, Modi, Modi. Never once did the crowd yell Trump’s name.

There were 12,000-15,000 protestors outside.

Modi’s major accomplishment thus far is Modicare. Universal health care for all citizens. Free healthcare for the 500 million living in India.

The plan has only been in effect one year. Time will tell if it works.

I know little about it. Tried to learn. A lot of detail.

Modicare is privately owned. By one very wealthy Indian.

The U.S. is in a pissing match with India. The U.S. has levied tariffs on Indian products. India presently hurting economically otherwise also.

Why was Trump in Houston holding hands with Modi! Trump wants the large texan Indian-American vote. The vote that went to Hillary in 2016.

I suspect Modi may be a better politician than Trump. Modi has been reelected. He first was elected in 2014.

India’s economy was fast moving and on the rise till last year. Now slowing down. Dramatically. Battered by global and domestic forces.

It has been described as “fraying.”

Alan Greenspan is one of the world’s great economists. At one time Chairman of the Federal Reserve. He always said if you want to know where India’s economy is going, look at their sale of men’s underwear.

India is a major manufacturer of men’s underwear. Greenspan said when things get tough financially, the last thing men replace is their worn out underwear. No one can see it.

India is hurting. Men are not replacing their worn cotton briefs and tank tops. World wide.  In one year, sales are down 50 percent. The briefs and tops lying on shelves in factories.

Car sales are down also. Thirty two percent. Car manufacturers expect to lay off 1 million in the next year.

Prices are rising. Lenders are skittish. Make it difficult to borrow money. The global economic slowdown is not helping. The spike in oil prices hurts. Again, Trump’s tariff battles with India not helping.

India’s unemployment rate has risen to 8 percent. It is expected to continue to rise.

Trump was courting when he went to Houston. He wants those Indian-American votes. Modi wants the tariffs off and everything else the U.S. can do to help India.

A marriage made in heaven. Modi will walk away with much more than Trump gets. This also evidences how Trump thinks. The trip, holding hands, etc. was for the personal good of Trump, not the U.S. He wants to be reelected President.

Trump understands little. Another area he has begun screwing around with is education. College education at the moment.

Duke University and the University of North Carolina share a joint program. Its purpose to remake a Middle east studies program so it reflects today.

The U.S. government supports the program with a grant of $235,000. An insignificant amount to the two large universities.

Secretary of Education Betsy De Vos has interjected herself into the program. She considers the curriculum as presently taught not teaching enough “positive” imagery of Judaism and Christianity in the Middle East. She claims “considerable emphasis placed on understanding the positive aspects of Islam as opposed to other religions.”

Sounds like some sort of twisted affirmative action program to me.

What happened to freedom of education? Have we reached a point where only that which the government permits can be taught? Looks like outright censorship to me.

Someone crazy here. Know the opposition. The opposition Islamism, not Judaism or Christianity.

Trump has been pushing a pro-Jewish philosophy since taking office. Too much anti-Semitism in the air the past 2 years. De Vos claims the present teachings of the 2 schools is anti-Israel.

I think also Trump wants to look good with his evangelical base. Now he can run to them and say look “…..What a good boy am I!”

The 3 day U.N. Summit begins today. Normally, every nation present. For various reasons, Russia, China and a few other countries will not be present.

The major thrust of this year’s Summit is climate change.

Trump is opposed to climate change. Does not buy it.

An important climate change meeting will take place during the 3 days. Trump in an embarrassing situation. I would assume he did not want to attend.

No problem. He is President of the U.S.

Word is Trump’s office called the U.N. last week and arranged for a “religious meeting” to be added to the schedule. The meeting to be chaired by Trump. And of course, scheduled at the same time as the climate change meeting.

So it has been done. The purpose of Trump’s meeting to protect “religious freedom.”

Many think Trump accomplishes a double header here. He gets a justifiable reason to miss the climate change meeting and instead chair a meeting that will have great approval of his Evangelical base.

Iran’s Rouhani will be present. No meeting between he and Trump planned. The President of the Ukraine will be there also. A meeting is scheduled for the two.

On the road tonight! Dueling Bartenders and dinner later at probably La Trattoria.

Enjoy your day!

We live in bad times. All times have bad. I suspect however there is more these days. Things like war, death, illness, starvation, homelessness, humiliation, degradation, pain, suffering, etc.

Not everyone is born perfect. Such is why I find it difficult to attach God is Good to this story.

Sailor a 3 year old boy. Lives in Greenville, South Carolina with his mother Jessica, Dad, and 2 year old sister.

Sailor was born blind and with 2 rare brain defects. He has trouble communicating his needs.

It was morning. Dad was at work. Mom was trying to finish household chores. Sailor had been crying all morning. Jessica could get nothing done. Held Sailor, tried to calm him, etc.

Nothing worked.

The doorbell rang. It was the internet repairman. His name Rob Kinney. Never had been to the house before, knew no one in the family.

Upon hearing Rob’s voice, Sailor immediately ran up to him and held his arms up. Rob picked him up. Sailor stopped crying.

Took Rob 45 minutes to correct the internet problem. Held Sailor when he could. Talked to him constantly. Sailor never cried during the 45 minutes. Actually giggled.

By the time Rob was ready to leave, Sailor was drifting to sleep.

I have been reading Brief Answers To The Big Questions by Stephen Hawking. Hawking a world famous cosmologist and best selling author. He has been described as the most renowned scientist since Einstein.

The threat of a nuclear war and climate change represent some of the issues with which he grappled.

The primary questions he sought answers to included whether humanity would survive, should space be colonized, and the development of artificial intelligence.

One of the chapters is titled Will We Survive On Earth? I briefly share a few of his thoughts in paraphrased comments.

In January 2018 a handful of scientists from the Manhattan Project, which had given the U.S. atomic bombs during World War II, wrote concerning the Doomsday Clock. Their measurement of the imminence of catastrophe. Military or environmental facing our planet. It had been 7 minutes to midnight. They moved it up to 2 minutes.

The world is closer to Doomsday than ever before, with one exception. The time in the early 1950’s at the start of the Cold War.

Hawking raises the question whether time is running out for the human race.

Politics a contributing factor to answering the question. Hawking believes the world is more politically unstable than at any time in his memory. Large numbers of people feel left behind both economically and socially. As a result, they turn to populists to lead them. Politicians who have limited or no government experience and whose ability to make calm decisions in a crisis have yet to be tested.

Such leader(s) move the Doomsday Clock to a critical point. Careless or malicious forces bring us closer to it. Armageddon may be around the corner.

Hawking claims 2 primary causes. Climate change and nuclear war.

He claims climate change is there to be seen today. Climate warming that will be sustainable. The Artic and Antartic reduction of ice caps, the killing off of the Amazon and other rainforests. Greenhouse gases and global warming on the rapid increase.

The net effect similar to that of Venus: Boiling and hot sulphuric acid, a temperature of 482 degrees Fahrenheit.

Human life would be unsustainable.

Hawking advises the world today has the technology to correct the problem. It lacks the political will.

He claims nuclear war is the immediate threat to humanity at the present time. Mostly forgotten in man’s mind.

Russia and the U.S. are no longer trigger happy. They understand clearly the consequences. Hawking’s book was published in 2018. He fails to mention Trump.

Terrorists and smaller nations who have acquired nuclear capability do not comprehend the dangers of nuclear war. An accident or crazy mind could unleash nuclear devastation world wide.

If man does not address climate change immediately or nuclear war becomes inevitable, there is but one solution. Escape earth!

We may have to move to another planet to save and preserve life.

Climate change went international this past weekend. In 150 cities world wide. Thousands demonstrated against its evils. Yelled for change.

Interestingly, many portesting were young. Under 18. Some grammar school age.

The frequency and intensity of recent hurricanes another indication of Climate Change’s impending doom.

Another mentioned in this morning’s paper. Karen. Presently a tropical storm, expected to be a hurricane by thursday. Moving east in the Atlantic. May hit Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

The U.S. expected to miss it ravishes. Typical of most recent hurricanes, Karen will turn north and go up through the Atlantic never coming near the U.S. shoreline.

Enjoy your day!

Obstruction everywhere in government. Trump obstructs. Has Congressional witnesses obstruct. No one answers anything. Congressional investigations have become exercises in futility. Obstruction has replaced legislating.

Without question, obstruction is rotting the foundation of our country.

Democrats play the game, also. Nowhere however as much as the Republicans. Grim Reaper Mitch McConnell the worse of all.

What bothers me also is that those who support Trump basically continue to do so. I refer to “people.” I find it difficult to understand. I am coming to the conclusion that many are unhappy, possess get even attitudes. Many I suspect failed to get something out of life they wanted and feel deprived. Trump makes them feel he is going to fill that void in their lives.

Today’s obstruct is aimed at Biden and his son Hunter. Sick! Where does Trump get the authority to tell the leader of another country if he does not cooperate in a U.S. political investigation he will not get the $250 million promised?

A major contributor to the problem are the courts. The system is antiquated. Needs to be brought into the 21st century.

The court system moves too slowly. Especially the federal system. It takes 2-3 years to get a matter litigated. How can Congressional applications to the courts to enforce the rules get them any relief if the relief comes years later?

At the very least, a special system should be established whereby federal issues at the highest level affecting our government are heard on a fast track basis. Most of the issues could then find their way to the Supreme Court in 6 months or less.

Law schools teach that justice delayed is justice denied. No question about it. Let’s correct this procedural problem and get government moving on an expedited basis.

I was not able to get all of the blog I lost into yesterday’s blog. Left out local items. I add them today. They have to do with thursday evening.

I was out on the town. Had been in for several evenings.

My first stop was Aqua’s Side Bar. Looking for my friend David. Enjoy his company. Rarely see him anymore. For whatever reason, he has substituted the Side Bar for the Chart Room many evenings.

No David at the Side Bar. Noticed a new tiny bar next door to the Side Bar. Part of the Aqua building. Called Tutu.

A gay bar. Unquestionably. No one inside. I stopped in anyhow for a drink.

The barmaid lovely. Her name Yasmin. Twenty six years old. Born in Brazil. Raised in Boston. In Key West, 3 years.

Yasmin just coming off heavy back surgery. She had a disc replaced.

I mentioned Tutu is a gay bar. It looks like one! The only gay bar in town that looks like a gay bar.

The bar stools are lined with different colored tutus. The colors throughout the bar bright and cheerful.

The place is very small. The size of 2 good sized closets.

David’s birthday is today. Happy birthday David! Meet me for a drink Monday around 6 at either the Side Bar or Tutu’s.

I was hungry. Walked past Antonia’s. Nicolle alone at the bar. Too dead for me. Continued to La Trattoria. No one at the bar. My search ended however. I sat at the bar alone.

Barbara Grob is one of the loveliest and nicest people in Key West. We have known each other 20 years. Our paths rarely cross, however. We have probably run into each other 5 times over the years. Strange for a small town.

Barbara and her husband Tom had just returned from 8 days in Hawaii.

Barbara and Tom presently own and operate The Local Luxe in Key West. The store is located at 615 Fleming. Just off Duval in the heart of Old Town.

Barbara has been in the same type business her 20 years in Key West. Always has sold unique jewelry, art and special items of clothing that appeal to women.

Barbara has specialized in certain objects over the years. Hers is the ART SLUT brand. Also, geckos.

She has had 4-5 stores. Works hard. A success!

I hope we do not have to wait 5 years to run into each other again.

La Trattoria was enough for me. I was home and in bed by 8:30 watching television.

My last 2 nights have been spent home. Working a couple of hours each evening on Growing Up Italian. The book I probably will never finish. It is in its fourth revision.

Sometimes we have to wait forever for something.

It has been announced that as of today, the 5 new HAWK crosswalk signals on Northern Roosevelt Boulevard will be in operation. About time. It has only been 5 years since local government convinced the State of the need. In those 5 years, accidents involving fatalities and injuries have occurred.

The State makes me laugh. The Florida State Department of Transportation announced yesterday that it had completed the job ahead of schedule. Five years?

Florida is strange. First it take a couple of years to convince the State of a need. Then at least a year or 2 to draw plans. At that point money is ought. The job put into the State budget. Another waiting period of 1-2 years.

I may have been wrong when I said it took 5 years. Probably more like 7.

Anyhow, it’s done. Let’s hope it does the job intended properly.

This morning’s KONK E-Blast contains a 1948 photo of Bertha Street facing towards the Atlantic. At least 4 blocks from the water.

It was hurricane time. A category 3 had hit Boca Chica. Barely missed landfall in Key West. Sort of like the Irma situation.

The photo amazed me. There was nothing on Bertha Street. Not because of the hurricane. Because nothing had been built yet. All that could be seen were 2 homes on one side of the street and 2 small 2 story apartment houses on the other.

No 1800, Las Brisa, the hockey court, etc.

Two more hurricanes added onto the 10 mentioned yesterday.

Lorena is #11. A Pacific problem. Heading for Mexico’s resort studded Baja California peninsula. The eye is reaching for the southern end of the peninsula.

Now comes Mario. Love the names!

Mario coming out of the Pacific, also. Not expected to make landfall anywhere.

Two interesting observations/quotes to share.

The first by a person who frequently comments to this blog. JustSaying. An astute observation. I had complained about hitting the wrong button and losing my blog. Just Saying wrote: “Better you hitting the wrong button than Trump hitting the right one.”

The other a part of this morning’s editorial Cheers and Jeers in the Key West Citizen. A quote by the philosopher Pego: “We’ve met the enemy and he is us.”

Trump’s wife’s first name escapes me. However she wrote at one time that Trump kept a book authored by Hitler on his night stand and used to read a few pages each evening. It was not Mein Kampf. Another.

I want to share some Hitler quotes. Who do they remind you of?

“If you tell a big enough lie and tell it frequently enough, it will be believed.”

“Think a Thousand times before making a decision But – After making decisions never turn back even if you get a thousand difficulties.”

“When diplomacy ends, war begins.”

“The man who has no sense of history, is like a man who has no ears or eyes.”

“I use emotion for the many and reserve reason for the few.”

“The victor will never be asked if he told the truth.”

“Kill, Destroy, Sack, Tell lies…..after victory nobody asks why.”

“The greatest strength of the totalitarian state is that it forces those who fear it to imitate it.”

“Humanitarianism is the expression of stupidity and cowardice.”

Enjoy your day!

The blog you never got to read yesterday (because I lost it) has been combined with today’s material. Ergo, instead of Act of War, the title is Morning Stew #21.

The Saudi oil field bombing now pretty much acknowledged to have been perpetrated by Iran. Pompeo was quick to label the attack as an “act of war.” Trump followed up in similar terms. However initially refused to blame Iran. He took a wait and see attitude.

The victim Saudi Arabia blamed no one. Not even to today. The reason being the Saudis do not want a war with Iran. The Saudis believe Iran would be the victor.

Trump and Pompeo have backed off a bit. Now seeking a coalition to punish Iran. Don’t want to go it alone.

Robert Gates said “Saudi Arabia wants to fight to the last American.” New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof wrote, “We’re not Saudi Arabia’s mercenaries…..This is not our fight. Saudi Arabia has its own fighter aircraft and missiles; no need for it to fight to the last American.”

Hurricanes all over the place! Not sure how many so far this year. Some say 6, others 10. I suspect the difference is the 10 number combines tropical storms with hurricanes.

The 10 number goes back to June.

Not a good year. Hurricane season does not end till November 30.

Humberto still out there. A category 3. Will not affect U.S. Imelda only a tropic disturbance and flooding Texas streets. Waist high water.

Jerry now a category 2. Off the Leeward Islands. After that, will head north and then northeast. Will not affect the U.S.

Syracuse/Western Michigan tomorrow. My team is suffering! Was not supposed to this year after its 10-3 record last year. Already have lost 2 games. Destroyed by #1 ranked Clemson last saturday.

Western Michigan a 6 point favorite.

I have no opinion.

I continue to be pissed with Comcast. The leagues now have their own cable lines. The ACC this year ACCN. ACCN makes a deal with a major company. In this instance, it is Comcast. Don’t ask me why.

Comcast and ACCN are in a war over money. In the meantime, I cannot watch Syracuse play unless I go to a bar. I prefer watching the games from the comfort of my home. Especially since I no longer drink.

Latinos a fast growing population in the U.S. Now 25 percent of the population. Adds up to 58.9 million persons.

Latinos are responsible for half of U.S. immigrants since 2000. They are the second fastest growing racial or ethnic group.

The increase is slowing down. Two reasons. Fewer Latinos entering through Mexico. The other, Latino women are having fewer children.

This Trump thing where he may have said something over the phone to another national leader that was not proper is interesting. A mess to figure out. The best guess at the moment is it involves the Ukraine and Biden’s son. Corruption in a business deal.

Rudy Giuliani involved.

Hopefully, there will be a final determination and sooner rather than later. Though I doubt the time sequence.

I have not addressed robots lately. An interesting development to report.

Basically, robots are taking over human jobs. Humans will have to be retrained to do other work.

The issue at the moment is how robots will treat humans. Badly.

An expert says “like ants.”

Geordie Rose is founder of the Canadian firm D-Wave. His company studies what life will be living with robots. Not a joking matter. Major corporations and the U.S. government among his customers.

Rose says, “Tech developers are summoning entities into existence which will have the same indifference to humans as we have towards ants…..They are not gonna be like us, they’re gonna be aliens…..smarter than every single person in a way that we can’t comprehend…..The word demons doesn’t even capture the true scope of what will happen.”

The transformation in ongoing now. Yet nations and people are basically unaware.  Rose claims people are too distracted bickering about politics and will be left behind as a slave class or, according to some, exterminated completely.”

Sounds extreme.

Whatever, it sets me to thinking about Planet of the Apes movies.

The homeless are having an impact even upon little children. It appears instead of playing cops and robbers or cowboys and Indians, some are now playing homeless.

A woman called into Russ Limbaugh recently. Lives in Los Angeles. Three of her grandchildren playing in the backyard. She heard a ruckus. Went out and asked what was going on. Was told…..playing homeless.

Two boys 4 and 5, a girl 9.

They had a small wheelbarrow toy. Had it filled with clothes. The girl was wearing gloves. Asked why, she said because she had seen homeless persons wearing them.

A singular event or something growing. Though part of life, homelessness not healthy for the children of today to view and copy. Makes it appear homelessness is ok.

Today a world wide event. Global Climate Strike. Everywhere!

In the U.S., Amazon is participating. One thousand five hundred Amazon employees will not show up to work today in protest of climate change. They want Amazon to have zero environmental impact. They want the world’s carbon impact to be zero.

Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos announced yesterday that Amazon will follow the Paris climate agreement. Even more, Amazon will utilize 100,000 electric delivery vans beginning next year. EV startup Rivians.

Amazon employees said not enough. Wow! Don’t know what more could be wanted at this point. Going to be interesting to see how this works out with Amazon and corporations world wide.

I occasionally observe some people walk with God on their side. However, it does not fit the following. Though considerable luck is involved.

Movie star Kevin Spacey has had 2 sexual molestation charges filed against him.

One involves a California civil suit. In the case’s discovery stage. The plaintiff who claimed Spacey molested him died.

End of the lawsuit as a practical matter. The estate could continue it. However, most difficult to win without the wronged party available to testify.

The other case a criminal one in Massachusetts. Nantucket to be precise. The case was withdrawn after the teenage bus boy allegedly molested stopped cooperating with authorities.

Stacy fortunate. Very fortunate. I suggest he cease his philandering. He missed the bullet twice. May not the next.

Mass shootings a definite problem. Must be dealt with! This year perhaps some progress will be made.

Last month alone 53 persons were killed as a result of mass shootings.

There are many things that cause death in significant numbers. We never think about them. Obesity for example. Forty thousand died of obesity last month.

How we deal with the obesity problem, I know not. Be aware the significance of the problem, however.

Oxitec. When is Oxitec going to learn?

Oxitec manufacturers something that when inhaled by certain mosquitoes will prevent their offspring from surviving. The problem is the concept has yet to work.

We fought its use hard 3 years ago when the County wanted to permit Oxitec to experiment in the lower keys. Over my Key Haven home at the time and over Key West.

A public uproar ensued. It took a public vote to kill the test project.

Since that time, Oxitec has further studied an improved product they manufactured. A major test in Brazil. An absolute failure!

Oxitec is back in the keys. Trying to sell our Mosquito Control Board on trying the new product.

Hopefully the Board will have learned and conclude any discussions.

I sometimes wonder to what depth the Mosquito Control Board investigates these situations. All that glitters is not gold!

Enjoy your day!

I did something wrong. What, I do not know. I must have hit a wrong key. Blog was done. Long. 1200 words. I had been at it since 6 this morning. It disappeared. Spent a half hour trying to recover it. Nothing. Ergo, no blog today. Sorry.

Morning Stew #20!

One of those mornings. So much to share. Simply going to lay the material out in the order it appears in my notes.

Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou last night.

Hit on the Saudi Arabia oil attack. Explored who really might have done it.

Much of my time was spent involving health care in general and U.S. health care being received by our children. Health insured are down the last 10 years. American kids not well cared for in U.S. system. U.S. ranks #37 in child health care world wide.

Trump spent 2 days doing fundraisers in California. Several over 2 days. Raised $15 million.

Except for the money, don’t know why he spent the time in California. No way can Trump win California. Democratic registration too high.

Watched most of Corey Lewandowski’s appearance before the House Judiciary Committee yesterday. His conduct/performance disgusting. Totally lacking in respect. What can we expect? The President has no respect for anyone. Ergo, it is permissible for those who support him to exercise a similar lack of respect

He stonewalled the Committee.

The Republicans on the Committee showed the same lack of respect for the Committee, its important function, and the Democrats on the Committee.

Lewandowsky testified about 6 hours. The first 5 1/2 wasted. Then came the last  half hour. Per the rules, the last half hour was reserved for a 30 minute examination of Lewandowski by an attorney retained by the Democrats to conduct the examination. The attorney Barry Berke.

An outstanding trial lawyer! Cross-examination his niche. He caught Lewandowski every which way.

There has to be a punishment for those who stonewall and mock a Congressional Committee. If there is none, no information of any value will ever be obtained.

My suggestion is a fine be established before anyone testifies further. Permissible under the law. Something like $5,000, $10,000 or $25,000 per day.

They’ll testify!

Another storm on the way. Tropical storm Jerry. Tenth storm of the season. Jerry is expected to attain hurricane status in the next couple of days.

Presently moving west-northwest. Not expected to place the U.S. in danger. Will sweep north and then east out into the Atlantic.

Humberto still out there. Will pass over the edge of Bermuda today on its way into the northeast Atlantic. Not even close to the U.S. Goodbye, Humberto!

Abortions are at the lowest rate since Roe v. Wade was decided in 1973. A 1980 study showed 29.3 abortions per every 1,000 women of child bearing age. The most recent study in 2017 indicated 13.5 abortions.

Don’t know where you stand on the issue. However, it is important to share as part of this piece that the U.S. is now performing 862,000 abortions a year…..in spite of the reduction.

They are still counting the ballots in Israel. A very close election. Presently each side has 32 seats. Ballots being counted today will decide if Netanyahu survives. It is expected he will not.

We will know by tomorrow.

The General Motor strike continues. No where close to a resolution.

What GM did yesterday a clear indication of how Corporate America operates. GM cut off medical coverage for all employees effective immediately. Hard to tell what “immediately” means. Either yesterday or next tuesday.

Management said employees will not be hurt. The present contract provides the Union will pay the health insurance premiums for its members. Out of an emergency strike fund.

Hardball!

John Kennedy said, “The basic problems facing the world today are not susceptible to a military solution.”

Kennedy had Russia and Cuba to deal with. Trump, Russia and the Middle East.

World problems cannot be considered and decided by one person. As it took a village to raise a child, it takes a village to exercise good judgment in world affairs.

A President must have a wise staff and rely on them. Not make solitary decisions as Trump does. The President should also be a well versed educated person. A person who reads. Not a personality freak.

The border wall has to make Trump crazy. Just as negating the Iran nuclear deal does.

Trump is anxious to fast track the border wall before the 2020 election. Haste makes waste. A lack of proper in depth examination before proceeding does not bode well for completion of a project.

Going through Arizona, there is  a 5 foot barrer. Trump wants to replace it with a 30 foot steel barrier. The portion of the wall runs through the Arizona Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument. A federal area.

The National Park Service says a problem exists. The work will require bulldozers and excavators that could irreparably damage unexcavated artifacts and other traces of ancient Sonoran Desert peoples.

Five hundred miles of wall involved.

Wonder how Trump will work this one out. Trample over antiquity?

This past week a significant number of spying surveillance devices were found around the District of Columbia. The number/size has been described as massive.

Our people say it is the work of Israelian spies. Trump’s initial response no way.

Silence since the discovery. Will the U.S. take action? Will the situation be swept under the rug?

Certain nations must believe the U.S. has become a patsy since Trump was elected. In addition to other spying type problems, there is the cyber attack on the 2016 elections.

The Civil War has always turned me on. I took several Civil War courses in college.

One of my term papers involved the Presidential election of 1864. George McClellan v. Abraham Lincoln.

Lincoln beat McClellan easily.

McClellan was a know it all. Egotistical.

On this day in 1862, the Battle of Antietam was waged. A one day battle. Decisive. Bloodiest battle of the Civil War. A Union victory. The Confederates left the battle field never to return.

Lee led the Confederate Army. McClellan was a Union general at the time. Head of the Army of the Potomac in the Eastern Theater.

Lincoln told McClellan to finish the job. Go after the retreating Lee.

McClellan was a know it all as indicated before. His nickname was the “youthful Napoleon.” McClellan thought Lee had with him 60,000 fresh troops. Too much for the Union soldiers he had left to handle.

McClellan was wrong. Lee did not have the 60,000 or any other additional amount.

McClellan was always questioning Lincoln. They did not get along. McClellan resigned from the Army and ran for President on the Democratic ticket against the Republican Lincoln.

Another mistake. He got his ass whipped!

A lovely day. They’re all lovely! Key West is truly a paradise.

Enjoy your day!

Robert Gates was a great Secretary of Defense. Politics never influenced his judgment. He diligently served under Bush 2 and Obama.

Too bad he is not Secretary of Defense at this time.

In a cable to the French Foreign Minister in 2010, he wrote the Saudis always want to “fight the Iranians to the last American.”

How true. Saudis are users and abusers when it comes to America. They pretend to be our friends. Yet every time they embrace, one of their hands is in our back pocket.

So much about the Saudis that makes me question their sincerity.

How can a nation that kills Washington Post reporter Jamal Khashoggi and then dismembers his body be trustworthy?

Never forget that 15 of the 19 perpetrators of 9/11 were Saudi citizens. Even more, when no planes were allowed to fly for several days, a load of Saudis were permitted to fly back to Saudi Arabia the day after 9/11.

One of the best is Trump’s visit to Saudi Arabia soon after he took office. The Saudis were aware of Trump’s likes and dislikes. His ego. How to appeal to him.

On the ride from his plane to wherever they were meeting, crowds lined the streets cheering Trump. Large pictures of Trump hung on buildings. At a reception, Trump was given a huge gold chain. He also participated in a Saudi dance with others. He wore a black apron and danced with them waving a sword over his head as his hosts did.

You could see it on his face. Trump was having a ball!

Little was he aware the Saudis were bullshitting him. Setting him up. They knew how to appeal to Trump and garner his support.

Another way is money. They used his hotels and bought his condominiums. Then and now pay cash for everything.

Jared Kushner then and to this day spends much time in Saudi Arabia. A high ranking Prince a close friend.

Trump has moved from “locked and loaded” to a conciliatory tune this morning. He’d “like to avoid” military confrontation. Adding Tehran officials want to talk and “make a deal.”

Sounds like his tune is softening. I hope so. I have to raise the question. Is Trump speaking the truth with those words? We never know.

Fools the Saudis are not. They do not want a direct confrontation with their cross Gulf rivals. The Saudis are fully aware that Iran has developed a formidable arsenal of long range weapons.

Trump’s talk/suggestion of war the past few days leaves me confused. Why would the U.S. jump into this fiasco to help the Saudis? The U.S. has no treaty with Saudi Arabia requiring such. The present situation requires more than the Gulf of Tonkin resolution.

The Constitution says only Congress may declare war. A conflict with Iran would require Congressional approval in my opinion.

Unfortunately, Trump reads little and probably would not pay attention to the Congressional admonition if he could.

Would Congress stand up to him under the circumstances?

China warned Trump yesterday not to believe hawkish “conspiracy theories” that Iran was behind the attack. Mentioning that a “revenge attack” could cause the Middle East to “spiral out of control.”

Iran claims it is not the responsible party. Trump and Pompeo say Iran is. The only proof provided by Pompeo were 2 photos of the bombed sites in smoke. Tells me nothing as to who caused the explosions.

Iran is standing firm. A high ranking Iranian official said, “Everybody should know that all American bases and their aircraft carriers are in a distance of up to 2000 km around Iran and within the range of our missiles.”

I don’t know who the responsible nation is. Nor does anyone else with certainty. Except for the actual perpetrator. Several nations could be responsible, however.

The Saudis have been at war in Yemen since 2015. A group from Yemen could be responsible.

The finger is also being pointed at Iraq.

Netanyahu has spent the past several years warning the U.S. against Iran. He wants Iran destroyed. He wants the U.S. to help him do it. Such would make Israel a major military power in the Middle East.

Don’t forget Russia. Putin the greatest sneak of all. Forget not Crimea. If Trump gets sucked into this Saudi mess it would work to Russia’s best interest. Putin is and has been committed to doing everything to make the U.S. look foolish and weak in the eyes of the rest of the world.

As I mentioned in yesterday’s blog, the fog of war is upon us. Not healthy. The winds of war are blowing. Let’s hope Trump tip toes through the tulips and stays out of a fighting conflict.

Tonight my blog talk radio show. Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. Nine my time.

So much to talk about. Actually, too much. The voluminous available materials are indication alone that too many dangerous situations are popping up around he world.

Join me. Listen to me rant and rave. Guaranteed you will enjoy. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou.

Enjoy your day!

The fog of war is thick this morning.

Whoever bombed Saudi Arabia is drooling. Trump is anxious to jump in. The Saudis are playing poor me. Yemen says not me. And no one gives credit to Putin.

Trump back to retaliatory threats. The U.S. is “locked and loaded.” Depends of course who is ultimately determined to have been responsible.

What do I think.

Not the time for Iran to pull something like this. On the other hand, Iran is backing the Yemen rebels who the Saudis are fighting.

Putin had the New York Times reporter killed and his body dismembered. Putin has been a troublemaker consistently for several years. Think Crimea.

Whoever bombed the Saudi oil has excellent equipment. The ten strikes were described as “precision hits.”

I do not think Trump had anything to do with it.

I could care less about the Saudis.Fifteen of the 19 Twin Towers perpetrators were Saudi citizens. When no planes were flying the day after 9/11, a group of Saudis were permitted to fly out of New York City and back home. The Saudis at the time supported al Qaeda.

The Saudis gave us $4 a gallon gasoline. Our friends! Who needs them!

If Trump opts to go to war to support the Saudis, he is endangering the U.S greatly. He would then be placing us directly in the path of harm’s way.

A comment to someone’s writing this morning (not mine) said the U.S. was “goin to war for the cocksuckers who took down the Towers.”

What a mess!

I do not recall Trump ever complaining about his alleged bone spurs.  Assuming they have gone away, as the U.S. leader he should have an up front position. He should be the first off a landing barge or the first to parachute out of a plane over enemy territory.

Someone has to do it.

The General Motors strike bothers me. Tens of thousands of GM employees from Michigan to Texas left work at midnight.

One fortunate thing is negotiations will continue even though there is a strike. Teams from management and labor are meeting at the moment.

GM cannot stand a strike. The last strike in 2007 cost the company $6 million. And it only lasted 2 days!

Our government bailed GM out when it looked like it was going under. The employees cooperated at the time to keep GM afloat. Trump’s tax cut helped major corporations significantly. It did nothing or next to nothing for GM’s workers.

Trump said he was going to bring manufacturing back to the U.S. How about keeping what we have here?

M gut feeling is the strike will not last long. If they are sitting together this morning, it is a sign they are close.

I hope.

Citizens of Key West and the lower keys. Oxitec has been found to be wanting again. At a time when they are seeking permission to begin a new study here.

A recent Yale study claims Oxitec does not work. In fact, may have some adverse affects. In an article published in the Activist Post 9/15/19, the Yale study found the mosquito offspring more robust and eventually being birthed in larger numbers.

A team of Yale students studied the genomes of both the genetically modified strain and the wild species before release, and then 6, 12, and 27-30 months after the releases began.

We went through Oxitec and its genetically modified mosquitoes 3 years ago. The people of the keys were opposed. It took a public vote to get the Oxitec plan knocked out.

Oxitec is back. They are talking with the State and the Mosquito Control Board. Be aware. It is time to man the ramparts again!

Country music singer and songwriter Billy Currington was in Key West last night. He did a free concert. The crowd of 2,500 stretched from the foot of Duval to Ocean Key’s Sunset Pier. The entire pier packed.

Prior to the outdoor show, Currington did a donation appearance at the Key West Theater. All monies raised were for Key West’s sister city in the Bahamas, Green Turtle Cay.

Part of Currington’s performance included a song he wrote about Green Turtle Cay some time ago.

I was having a late Sunday mid afternoon breakfast at Harpoon Harry’s. The place almost empty. A woman sat a couple of seats from me at the bar. We began talking.

Her name Gail Schulte. Married name. Ancestral name Pratt. Her husband Mark Schulte.

They have been residents of Key West for more than a year. Lived in Sandwich, Massachusetts where they ran a guest house. Sold it and bought one in Key West thereby fulfilling a lifetime dream.

The Key West guest house is Suite Dreams Inn at 1001 Von Phister.

Sandwich is near Chatham on Cape Cod. I frequented Chatham many times over the years. Ergo, the conversation drifted into the Cape and Gail’s descendants.

Gail’s great, great, great, great grandfather was Edmund Freeman. I am not sure I have enough grandfathers. Whatever, Edmund came to our shores in 1635.

The Mayflower was the first boat to come to the new land. It arrived together with 2 other vessels in 1621 landing at Plymouth Rock.

The Abigail led groups of ships to the new land. The Abigail’s second trip in 1635.

There were religious difference with those who had landed at Plymouth Rock several years earlier. England was aware and did not want the 2 groups to live together. Edmund’s group was way of course in any event. Ended up even further than its original landing place.

The landing was on Cape Cod in what is now Sandwich.

Edmund’s group elected 10 men to be their leaders. Edmund was one of them. He later served as Assistant Governor of Plymouth Colony under Governor William Bradford.

The Cape and Sandwich land increased in value over the years. Some of Edmund’s descendents became very wealthy. I don’t know if Gail was so fortunate.

There is more to the story. Involves Key West locals.

When I first purchased my Key West home 25 years ago, I was fortunate to meet Woody and Joan Cornell. A great couple. They had met during World War II when Woody was stationed in England.

They prospered, but worked hard in doing so. They owned and operated a country house/resort in New England. I recall Woody telling me once that he and Joan were lucky to have had their daughter Greer before they went into the hotel business. He said there would have been no time thereafter. It was work, work, work, and more work for he and Joan.

Woody and Joan eventually sold the New England operation. Moved to Key West in 1995. Bought either a former home or guest house. Their intent to get back into the resort business in a much smaller way.

They spent 8 months “configuring” the place.

Woody was extremely talented. He and Joan could build, renovate, etc. anything. The result absolute beauty.

The building Woody and Joan configured and made into a guest house is the Suite Dreams Inn Gail and her husband purchased last year.

I met Woody and Joan through my daughter Lisa. She was good friends with their daughter Greer. Greer today is in the hospitality business as her parents were. I first met Greer when she was at the Casa Marina. She is associated today with 24 North on the Boulevard.

Small world. Everything interconnects.

I finish with climate change. An item of great concern.

A Swedish scientist has arrived at a theory whereby an insufficient food supply problem could be remedied. Eat human flesh. The bodies of dead relatives.

The scientist is big on his theory. Certain it would work. Problem is how people would react and accept/not accept it. The scientist believes people have a resistance to cannibalism. He describes it as “conservative” and “selfish.” I think it “sick.”

Enjoy your day!