Here we are into football season and I come up with a baseball metaphor. Casey at the Bat. It fits, however.

Will there be joy in Mudville tonight? Mudville being Syracuse.

Syracuse plays Clemson. Clemson ranked #1, Syracuse around #40. After last week’s drubbing by Maryland, it is going to take a long time to climb back into being a ranked team this year. Unless, Syracuse beats Clemson tonight!

Not impossible if the past 2 seasons are any indication.

Two years ago, Clemson was #1. Syracuse not ranked. Ended up having a lousy season, also. The night they met was special, however. The gods looked favorably upon Syracuse. Syracuse beat Clemson!

There was joy in Mudville!

Last year, almost the same result. Early in the season. Clemson #1. Syracuse not yet ranked thought it did end the season ranked based on a 9-3 record prior to the bowl games.

Syracuse lost by 3 points. Either team could have won. One of the finest football college games ever. The lead went back and forth.

I cannot say there was no joy in Mudville. There was. Everyone was happy. Clemson was supposed to kill Syracuse and failed to do so. At the time, none of us knew what a great season Syracuse would have. Clemson was ranked #1 at the time and ended the season #1.

Will it be 3 in a row tonight? A win or close defeat the same after the Maryland game.

We shall see. Mighty Casey will be at the bat.

I mentioned yesterday, the war that apparently exists between Comcast and ACCN. I can’t get Syracuse games.

Since Clemson is #1, it does not appear to be a problem. The game will be shown tonight on ABC also.

Jean and Joe Thornton back from a month in Europe. Two weeks now.

Spoke with Jean via telephone this morning. It was good to hear her voice. Love the lady!

I called to ask her about Alonzo’s which I will get to in a moment.

Jean reminded me that we were together 2 years ago. Irma had hit Key West 9/10. I arrived as a refugee at her home 9/8. Several others were arriving that day and the next.

Jean and I reminisced about all the fun we had. Twelve days together. All of us sleeping in the same home. Jean and Joe great hosts.

An experience. A unique one. A good one.

Jean mentioned that Birmingham had been without rain 3-4 weeks. I laughed. It has been pouring in Key West every morning for about 3 weeks. Raining now. The sky black.

The Alonzo thing. Alonzo’s is a famous Key West fish house. Alonzo’s has been located in the same place on the waterfront the many years I have been here.

It came to my attention yesterday that Alonzo’s is closed. Not only closed, but gutted! No one could tell me if Alonzo’s is returning or another restaurant.

Could be the place is rented to another outfit. Several buildings in the area were purchased by a group of local businessmen last year. They may be remodeling or rented to another.

Jean said she would check and let me know. By day’s end, Jean will know and have told me.

Berlin’s is upstairs from Alonzo’s. The new building owners made almost immediate changes to Berlin’s when they took title. The 2 that bothered me the most were cutting out smoking in the bar and charging for parking.

I have yet to return to Berlin’s.

A couple of interesting comments in this morning’s Citizens’ Voice.

The first made mention of the generosity of the people of the Florida Keys re the Bahamas. Locally garnered together supplies and money which is being sent over every day. Manpower also. People remaining and helping.

Sounds good! Is!

However, the comment also makes mention of something that continues to aggravate many in the lower keys.

It is 2 years post Irma. Renovation, rehabilitation, etc. still not complete. Up around Big Pine people still living in tents with no toilets, water supply or power.

I have spoken to the issue for 2 years. The reason for the problem lies clearly with Washington. Trump has failed to make available sufficient federal dollars to help. He always says when a disaster occurs not to worry. The government has enough money.

I believe the government does. The problem is Trump takes from the FEMA account and uses it for something else somewhere else. Like the recent monies he took to finish building the wall. Monies that had been appropriated by the House of Representatives for natural disasters.

The people of Puerto Rico, Florida Panhandle and Georgia continue to suffer also. Several hurricanes having hit.

All crying for help. The people of the Florida Panhandle view themselves as forgotten people.

Another comment along the lines of the previous involved the inability of Florida key’s people to rebuild or rehab for financial reasons. Again because federal dollars have come up short.

Many houses that went down are still down. Those leveled were mostly older ground level homes. Replacement homes have to be built on footings. Code required.

Many people cannot afford the new/additional cost to rebuild.

The federal government paying insufficient dribs and drabs. Insurance companies likewise. Would you believed that 2 years later and people are still waiting for an insurance settlement?

These same people continue to pay their mortgages. Now on an empty lot, in addition to paying for alternate housing.

Enjoy your day!

Big words! Spelling bee material. Perhaps too long. Whatever, daunting.

All three mean basically the same thing. Fear of friday the 13th. Today being that day.

Paraskeoidekaphobia your basic fear of friday the 13th. Greek derivation.

Triskaidekaphobia a bit more than a normal fear. The scientific name. Generally requires psychiatric attention. The symptoms persistent, irrational, and unwarranted.

Friggatriskaphobia another way of describing everyday fear of friday the 13th. Of Greek derivation, also.

Those who fear would rather spend the day in bed. The day being the most superstitious of the year. Those who suffer the malady view nothing but ill omens permeating the day.

Several reasons why friday the 13 so coniered. The two most popular causes involve Christ. Jesus died on a friday. Thirteen persons had dinner at the Last Supper the night before. Some fear the day because Judas was at the Last Supper.

So feared was friday the 13th that no weddings were performed on the day during the Middle Ages.

Today’s admonition: Don’t walk under a ladder and avoid a black cat walking in front of you.

Humberto still coming. Though not yet fast enough to officially have acquired the name. It will before it is done, however.

Presently a mix of rain and wind not sufficient for designation. Though it will move to a tropical storm today or tomorrow over the Bahamas.

A tropical storm can do damage. I have seen it occur here in Key West. Winds are between 39-73 mph accompanied by heavy rainfall.

Damage wrought nowhere as great as the category 5 which hit the Bahamas earlier in the week when winds reached as high as 200 mph.

Humberto will continue northwestward after passing the Bahamas. Key West safe. Humberto will hit landfall around West Palm Beach and continue northward along U.S. coastal lands. It could also avoid making landfall and run north in line with the U.S. seaboard. Surges could be a danger, however.

More coming. Three or four more storms already have left Africa. Too soon to determine if any will actually become a hurricane or hit U.S. lands.

The Democratic Debate last night.

The best of the three so far. Apparently those participating have to develop an experience factor.

If I had to select a winner, it would be Biden. Not fantastic. Did what he had to do however and it so doing looked good.

Julian Castro made an ass out of himself. He took on Biden. Not in a very professional manner. Tried to demean and embarrass him.

Biden handled the situation well. Following the debate, it was discovered Castro had his facts wrong.

He deserved to be embarrassed.

I admired Castro till last night. You just don’t beat up on someone. Especially Biden. He warrants respect.

The candidates have to stop beating up on each other. Beat up on Trump! Don’t give the Republicans fodder to throw at whoever will be the Democratic candidate.

Castro reminded me of Kamala Harris. She nailed Biden during the first debate. Harshly. Her numbers went up the next day. Down soon after. People do not like icons defecated upon.

I thought Corey Booker an excellent candidate. Especially if Warren ends up the Presidential candidate. A black male for Vice-President. Almost a sure bet.

I got totally turned off to him last night. It has been building in me. He is a sneak. He hits the opposition sweetly and many times nauseatingly.

He was riding on Castro’s shirt tales last night.

Three debates, three sets of moderators. All stunk. Performed their jobs poorly. They seek to play gotcha.

Ohhhhhhh tomorrow! Syracuse plays #1 Clemson. A 27.5 underdog.

After last week’s shellacking by Maryland, I doubt Syracuse has the capacity to beat Clemson. You either have it or don’t. That is the way it is.

I am irked with my ability to get the game on my TV sets at home.

Syracuse plays in the ACC. The ACC now has its own sports outlet channel. ACCN. One problem. Whoever you get your TV service from must be carrying ACCN.

Comcast my server. Comcast and the ACC apparently have not made a deal. Pisses me off no end!

I have been spending more time home evenings. Generally working on the Italian book. I have decided to give it a new turn about 1/3 the way through the book.

I am never going to finish at this rate. I am beginning to wonder if I want to.

Enjoy your day!

Three topics of exceptional importance this morning. America failing its children, America’s growing diversity, and Humberto. The blog opens with these three. Then to some Key West items followed by a few more non-related Key West topics.

Some things escape us. We simply don’t know. One is how America is failing its children. New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof wrote an eye opening article concerning the problem which appears in this morning’s Times.

Right to it: America’s children rank #37 world wide in well being.

Shameful.

The U.S. provides universal health coverage for senior citizens (which is very expensive) but not for kids (which would be very cheap).

Why, you may ask. Kristof says because seniors vote and children do not.

America’s diversity is on the rise! Very soon whites will be the minority compared to the rest of the population.

The diversity is like an oncoming tide. Can’t be stopped. Will be overwhelming.

In a recent edition of the Axio Citizen newsletter, Kim Hart addressed the issue. Her observations interesting.

Since 2010, 96 percent of all U.S. counties experienced a decline in white population. The nation’s white population has grown only 0.1 percent since 2010.

The America of today is more racially diverse than at any time in history. Racial minorities more geographically dispersed.

The fastest growing racial minority groups are Hispanics and Asians. The two groups have increased 18.6 percent and 27.4 percent respectively from 2010-2018.

The next 5 years will show a decline in white population. The next 5 years, the 20 something population will be minority whites.

The 2020 election could be the last hurrah for America’s whites. If not, 2024 definitely.

A hurricane here, a hurricane there. They are coming out of Africa  too frequently this year.

Humberto of present concern. Actually should not yet be named. Still not a tropical storm.

The cone shows Humberto, in whatever force, passing right over Key West. Though not certain yet. The experts will know better over the weekend.

It also appears Humberto will hit the Bahamas first.

We can handle a tropical storm with little difficulty. Few will evacuate. Heavy rain and wind. Trees and some roof tiles down. Power interrupted for a while.

I enjoyed last night. The Sons and Daughters of Italy had a dinner at La Trattoria on the Ocean. A social gathering, no business.

Fun.

Key West is hurting for money. City fathers are instituting new measures to bring in more tax revenue.

The primary reason for additional income being required is that the City has 12 new staff positions to fund and higher salaries for some who have had their job descriptions reclassified.

The money is to come from increased taxes and many additional parking meters.

$1.9 million new dollars required.

An irate citizen wrote in this morning’s Citizens’ Voice that it is wrong to raise money for new positions and increased salaries.

If taxes are to be raised, put them to good use.Where most required. Where they have been most required for years.

Like the streets.

The irate citizen said Key West streets have needed repair for years. If money is to be raised, use it to repair the streets. Key West streets resemble “third world roads.”

I agree.

Tonight, a political one. The third Democratic debate from 5-8. A long evening. I will eat it up!

Seems that lying by national leaders is not limited to the United States. Great Britain’s new Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been accused by a Court of having lied to Queen Elizabeth re a Brexit step he recommended.

Not many George Washington’s left in this world!

Eisenhower warned us. We did not heed his words. The military-industrial-complex is making a ton of many. I question whether all of the military spending is necessary.

Also, where is it going.

Last year, it was reported that a proper audit of the Defense Department could not be done. Either $300 million or $300 billion could not be accounted for. No receipts, etc. No one had any knowledge concerning the spending.

An example of whether money in some respects in being spent willy-nilly.

F-35 fighter planes.

Poland is our friend and ally. Lockheed-Martin recently received a $6.5 billion contract from Poland for F-35’s.

The U.S. supports Poland and has been engaged for many years in providing the country with dollars to be spent militarily.

The money Poland will pay Lockheed-Martin will come from U.S. tax dollars. Congress has the right to modify or block the expenditure.

Lockheed-Martin and the U.S. Defense Department have made a deal whereby the Defense Department will procure 470 new F-35’s for itself.

Tax dollars, again.

Military-industrial-complex doing well.

I wonder how closely these expenditures are scrutinized.

Enjoy your day!

September 11, 2001 is as imbedded in Amercan minds as December 7, 1941. Neither will be forgotten. As long as America exists, its people will remember.

9/11 affected us all. Even those not in New York City.

I was sitting in my office with some clients. I was interrupted with a phone call. The person at the other end told me to turn on the TV.

There it was. Tower #1 burning.

Later that day, my Congressman Sherry Boehlert telephoned from Washington. His words of wisdom: We will never be the same…..The world has changed.

He was correct. Nothing has been the same since.

I suffered an immediate disaster. My clients were primarily corporations outside upstate New York. I served as their counsel for any problems they had upstate.

Excellent clients to have. Enjoyable legal work. They paid. On time!

Getting paid on time ended on 9/11 for 2 months.

The corporate clients did not know what was going to happen. They began protecting themselves financially. None paid their bills for the next 2 months.

It was not easy. The work went on in spite of the pay lagging behind.

Many who were in New York City that day could not wait to get out.

A young lawyer worked near the Twin Towers. When the rumbling began, he got out of his office and ran. He told me he just kept running. The smoke was thick. There was crap in the air.

He ran till he reached the Brooklyn Bridge. Then ran across.

He, his wife and 3 children lived in New Jersey. All he could think of was moving. If it happened once, it could happen again. He had to protect his family.

He began looking for work far from New York City. I ended up hiring him. He moved everyone to Utica immediately.

He was an excellent lawyer. He worked in my firm for several years till he joined another attorney in a community about 50 miles away as a partner.

Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou last night. So much material! Trump’s fault. He had an exceptionally busy week screwing things up.

Key West is having financial problems. Taxes going up. Parking permits being doubled in cost. New parking meters being installed.

One of the places for new parking meters is Smathers Beach. When I first arrived in Key West, they were there. Then at some point in time, they disappeared. I paid no attention. I was happy I could park for nothing.

Key West has announced they are lining Smathers Beach again with parking meters. Not sure how much per hour to park. If like the rest of Key West where metered, $4-4.50 per hour with a 4 hour limit.

Someone advised in this morning’s Citizens’ Voice that Key West could not legally do it. Smathers is on South Roosevelt Boulevard, a county road. Does not belong to Key West.

Interesting.

If anyone knows the correct situation, please let me know.

The Key West Library opened April 8, 1892 at 700 Fleming Street. Still there.

It was south Florida’s first public library.

A comfortable reading room. Walk in, sit and read the newspapers. I have not done so frequently. Other than a very infrequent stop for newspaper reading and an occasional lecture, I do not even think about going. The reason parking. As with most places in Key West, parking is a pain in the ass.

Yesterday, I learned that I was wrong. I was driving on the side street next to the library. Lo and behold, there is a huge parking lot behind the library. I shall be visiting more often.

I have felt guilty this past year that I spend so little time at the library. My book Irma and Me is on the shelves of the library. A big deal! At least from my perspective.

I shall let you know when I go and how I felt after leaving.

Special event this evening. The Sons and Daughters of Italy are having a dinner meeting at La Trattoria Beachside. Good food and company. I look forward to it.

Samantha Power. She was on 2 different TV talk shows 2 days in a row. An impressive woman. Her intelligence obvious. Her humility also.

She is pedaling her most recent book….. The Education of An Idealist: A Memoir. More importantly, her background. An immigrant. Born in Ireland. Today an academic, author and diplomat.

Now 48, married, mother of 2, she has served on the White House Obama team, spent 4 years as U.S. Ambassador to the U.N, won a Pulitzer Prize for a previous book, etc.

I enjoyed watching her speak. Now I have another book to read. You might want to, also.

Trump fired John Bolton. Bolton said he retired. Whatever, it is one of the rare times Trump has done something correctly.

Bolton has been National Security Adviser for 17 months. A mistake that Trump took him on board. A warmonger. He has tried for 17 months to draw the U.S. into wars all over the world.

In those 17 months the number of additional U.S. troops deployed worldwide has increased, with the U.S. consistently threatening war everywhere. He brought the U.S. within minutes of bombing Iran.

I apologize for the manner I am going to express myself. However, good riddance to bad rubbish.

We worry about plastic straws screwing up the oceans and reefs of the world. The problem may be more extensive.

A recently released study suggests an apolyothic problem. The Study: Detection of Various Microplastics in Human Stool. The study was limited. Only 8 persons. However selected from all parts of the world.

None was sample free. All had microplastics in their bodies.

Further studies obviously required. How are human organs being affected? We must know.

The ocean is one of the ways the microplastics are transported. Another wind. The Arctic is significantly contaminated.

Very interesting. Worthy of significant concern and further investigation.

Trump is correct when he says more people are making more money than ever before. He fails to tells us however that the percentage of health uninsured Americans has risen in the past decade.

The primary cause are the cuts that have been made in the Affordable Care Act by Trump. Amazing! More people making more money, yet more people lacking in health insurance.

Congratulations, Donald! You kicked Obama in the ass each time you did something to diminish the Affordable Care Act. You also kicked the American people in the ass.

Enjoy your day!

Where do I begin…..

I have been doing this blog 15 years. At the beginning, it was difficult to come up with topics I thought people might be interested in/enjoy. Today, no problem!

Tons of topics, issues.

I blame/give credit to Trump. No question, he knows how to create news. Which means my research time has become longer as have the blogs.

Some days there is so much news that It is difficult for me to organize the blog. Those days I do what has become known as a Morning Stew. Write from my notes in the order of the notes. Helter-skelter.

Today #19 in the Morning Stew series.

The “failure” of Trump’s secret meeting at Camp David with the Taliban and the President of Afghanistan a good thing. Nothing of value would have come of it.

From what I understand, the meeting began a week before as a thought in Trump’s mind. He dealt with the Taliban. Ignored the government of Afghanistan. Got both to agree to attend the meeting. We all know what happened and as a result the meeting was cancelled by Trump.

A couple of background facts.

The Taliban were already preaching to their people the “peace meeting” was at the request to the Americans. A Taliban victory. The Americans had capitulated. The Taliban had defeated the “invaders” after 18 years of war. The Americans were leaving Afghanistan “in shame.”

Women’s rights. Always an issue in the Islamic world. The Taliban were willing to agree to deal with women consistent with “Islamic values.”

Not much of a guaranty.

Since the war began in 2001, women in the cities have become modernized. They are allowed to leave their homes, work. No no’s before.

Today’s Afghan women fear a return to the old days. Women being stoned to death, banned from school, and prohibited from being out in public places. Plus, the burqa. Would have to be worn again covering everything but the eyes.

Everyone came out ahead by the meeting being called off. Trump did not have it organized properly. A meeting to end an 18 year old war cannot be arranged and negotiated in a week or two’s time.

The Afghan President had nothing to agree to. Within months, he would have been out. Probably dead.

Trump’s short lived “victory” gone within months. A Kim Jung Un type victory.

Someone referred to Trump as a deal breaker, not a deal maker. True.

Another that Trump put things together on the spur of the moment. True. Not a winning technique.

September 9, 1964 a big day for Key West. As were the two days following.

The Beatles were flying to a concert in Jacksonville. Hurricane Dora forced their plane to land in Key West. Spent 2 days at the Key West Motel on South Roosevelt Boulevard.

Key West went crazy.

The Beatles made good use of the motel’s pool.

People started filling small bottles with the pool water the Beatles had swum in.

The fans were entitled to the indulgence. The Beatles are one of history’s great musical combinations. Brought joy to many.

Jean and Joe Thornton have returned. Concluding a one month European vacation. Not to Key West yet. Got back to Birmingham a few days ago.

Yesterday Hurricane Gabrielle was thought might be a danger to south Florida. Keys included. No more. Gabrielle made a very sharp turn north and then west. It is expected to make landfall in Ireland and the UK in a few days.

Humberto could be a problem. Meteorologists are waiting for it to form.

The possible impeachment of Trump a growing thing. A little bit more each day. Now a smoking gun. Soon to be an arsenal.

Trump is a mean man. The Bahamas are hurting big time. It will take years for certain parts of the Bahamas to return. In the meantime, its people have been crushed.

Miami is only 50 miles away. The Bahamas are closer to Miami than Key West is to Cuba. Many are leaving the Bahamas for the United States. Makes sense. An emergency situation. Take them in!

Trump was quoted as saying in the September 4 Washington Post, “…..the federal government must not forget about our neighbors, just 50 miles from Miami.”

As with everything else, Trump’s position was short lived.

Trump will not permit entry into the U.S. by any Bahamians not having proper papers. He said some are criminals, bad people, etc. He will allow no one in who is not properly vetted.

He shames out nation, he shames our people.

A thought to be shared. Most Bahamians are people of color.

Dinner with Terri last night at Antonia’s. She wanted to skip Aqua.

Good time! Nicolle bartending.

The streets of Key West are quiet. Dead a better description. Off season. However, Antonia’s had an excellent crowd. Strange.

I have been doing Antonia’s for 25 years. Everything the same today as then. With 2 exceptions.

Bread and cookies. Back then, I suspect the bread was fresh baked in house. Doubt it is today. Not as good. Also, at the end of the meal, a small plate of house baked cookies were brought to the table. Free. An assortment. Delicious. No more cookies.

I am not complaining. Though I really miss the cookies.

Trump reminds me of two children’s rhyme characters.

Little Jack Horner. Trump thinks he always does good. In those instances he brings to mind…..Little Jack Horner sat in the corner, eating his pumpkin pie. He stuck in his thumb, pulled out a plumb and said, “Oh, what a good boy am I!”

And then there is Humpty Dumpty. Both Trump and Humpty physically the same.

When Trump falls, and he is going to, the rhyme will have proven itself…..Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall. Humpty Dumpty took a great fall. All the king’s horsemen and all the king’s men could not put Humpty Dumpty back together again.

So it will be.

Two years ago today, a time of major consequence for Key West and the lower keys. Irma made landfall.

Projected as a category 5, it hit Key West as a 1. However 16 miles up the road, it landed on Cudjoe Key as a category 4. And was a 4-5 for the next 60-70 miles up the keys. Major devastation. Bahamas type.

Irma will be with us forever. Can not be forgotten.

Pouring big time at the moment. Weather forecasted to be heavy rain and wind over the weekend.

Father Trump has made and continues to make a big deal out of the Alabama thing. He screwed up and cannot admit he made a mistake. That simple. Would not have been a big deal. He has made it a big deal.

I suspect that as the House proceeds with impeachment, Wilbur Mills telling NOAA to change what had been said will be a big deal.

Daughter Ivanka getting into the picture.

Ivanka is visiting Alabama today or next tuesday. I could not figure out what tuesday from the way it was reported.

The question was asked somewhere this morning whether she would be surveying the hurricane damage there.

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

Going to be an interesting evening. So much to talk about. Just as there is so much to write about this morning.

Big Pine took a heavy hit from Irma. A category 4. Some areas still recovering. Trump has failed to provide necessary monies to assist. As he has failed with other areas hit by other hurricanes.

The minor children of Big Pine recall not what Trump did. They recall the assistance the Bahamas provided. Seven children ages 5-10 sold lemonade over the weekend. To raise money to help the people of the Bahamas who had helped them. Note that 5 of the children lost their homes.

The children raised a little over $650. The money has already been sent to the Bahamas.

Another group has not forgotten. The Key  West Sunrise Rotary. They sent a check for $25,000.

I still have pages more. Blog long enough. I will cover some of the topics tonight and write about the others tomorrow.

Enjoy your day!

In today’s modern world, gender equality has a tendency to go a step too far. Sometimes, a mile too far!

An example of political correctness gone mad is what is occurring at a school in Lewes, England.

Last week, 100 female students protested at the gate to their school. The gate was locked barring their entry. Police were in attendance.

The school sought gender equality. Voted the school uniform would require boys and girls to wear pants. No skirts for the girls.

The girls said no way. They would would not attend school unless they could wear skirts. The line was drawn in the sand. As of today, no solution as yet.

Parents support their daughters.

The school insists it is doing what is right. “Gender neutral” addresses “inequality” and “inclusiveness.”

I see the problem a simple one. The girls are being punished in effect because – shock, horror – they want to continue wearing skirts. Let them continue wearing them. Females were wearing skirts before the birth of Christ. Men wearing skirts back then also.

Suppose in support of “gender neutrality,” the boys wanted the right to wear skirts. All hell would break loose at the administration’s end!

One parent suggested that a gender neutral uniform program would allow boys and girls to wear skirts, and both to wear trousers.

Too much for me to handle.

I have more than normal diverse topics today. Difficult to place them in any sort of order. Ergo, from this point forward I am presenting as if this were a Morning Stew blog. Laying them out as they appear in my notes!

A noon brunch at Harpoon Harry’s yesterday. Amazing the business the place does. Seems to have been in its location forever. Fifties style layout. Food good. Prices reasonable.

Even though Key West is still out of season, the place was packed. People required to wait for seating.

Relished my eggs benedict and hash browns.

A Comment to yesterday’s blog read: “The not-so-sharpie, with the sharpie.” An obvious reference to Trump.

A relatively new term gaining in popularity: Media disinformation. Means we ain’t getting the truth!

An example is Venezuela. The U.S. and the U.N.’s involvement in a devious representation.

The information came to my attention in an article published by Voltaire Network on 9/6/19. The thrust of the article was to evidence how Venezuelans had been misled when told they had no future in their home land. Additionally, it was reported Maduro was inept and illegitimate as President.

Note Voltaire claims such based on the U.S. and U.N. working in cahoots.

The article also explored the theory of “migrants as weapons of war.”

The facts.

In August 2018, the international press reported a mass exodus of Venezuelans who were fleeing the famine and chauvinist dictatorship of Nicholas Maduro. The claim was that 18,000 persons a day were fleeing Venezuela.

The U.N. predicted 5.3 million Venezuelan migrants and refugees would leave Venezuela and would be required to live in Latin America. A major crisis.

Actually, no crisis. Voltaire claims the figures were pure propaganda. Nowhere near the predicted number left. Many who did, returned.

The campaign of “media disinformation” seeking to destabilize Venezuela was in error.

This one is a bit over my head. I do not know if Voltaire is correct. I share the article however because if it was, it is cause for significant worry. Migrants being used as weapons of war. Orally and in print, without military weapons.

Trump is playing the game.

Trump keeps expanding the tariff war with China. Trump hits China with an increase, China hits back. The way of the world.

My concern continues to be an all out military conflict. One with the nation considered the second strongest in the world. I wonder whether it is #1.

China’s military has grown in the past 7 years. and continues to grow. China announced last week that it had entered into the mass production of stealth fighters. Chengdu J-20. At the moment, China has 13 in service.

Came across a new word. Hard to spell, hard to pronounce. Schadenfreude. Belongs in a spelling bee contest. Means to derive pleasure from the misfortune of another person.

Trump?

What I am about to share I can only describe as Washington behaving like assholes. Sorry for language. However, it fits.

The Bahamas were hit big by Dorian. A category 5. Things so bad, it will take years for the Bahamas to be totally rebuilt.

Many Bahamians are leaving the Bahamas for the U.S. A mere 50 mile trip.

We should be welcoming them with open arms.

Those leaving were told all they needed was a Bahamian passport and a clean police record.

After getting on the boat and before it departed, it was announced over the public address system that a visa was required also. Those without should get off the boat.

Many did not have visas. Were required to leave the boat.

The U.S. law involved reads: “All persons must possess valid identity and travel documents.”

Another tidbit involved. Turns out a different set of rules apply whether a person flies into the U.S. or arrives by boat. Rules by boat more stringent.

Some of those left behind will probably die. Merely because some bureaucratic idiot in Washington failed to get the visa rule waived. There are no rules requiring adherence in an emergency situation such as confronts the people of the Bahamas.

It has been 6 weeks since my  pancreatitis attack. I spend more evenings at home than out. Drinking the reason. I am off alcohol. The major cause of pancreatitis.

Key West a drinking town. Everyone in the bars at night.

I go much less now. Actually, rarely. As most know, if everyone else is drinking and you are not, it’s tough! No fun.

I have been spending much more time at home. Not bad. Could be better. My evenings are spent writing. Perhaps I will get another book out. Maybe the Italian one.

Here I share that I remain home most evenings, and now I will tell you how I will be out tonight.

Donna is in Detroit. Terri alone. My date tonight. We are attending Aqua’s Dueling Bartenders and then having dinner at Antonia’s.

I look forward to it. Terri good company. Will see others I have not in a while. The not drinking will bother me. I kid you not. Even watching what some will eat at Antonia’s. I am off fats. Someone nearby will be enjoying a steak or lamb chops.

I am paying for my sins!

Enjoy your day!

No question. It is a woman’s world. Men are from Mars, women from Venus does not apply. The reverse is correct. Women are from Mars. Tough!

My thought process re the issue began with today’s schedule for Womenfest.

So far, the gathering has been a success. It will be today also. Women know how to get things done. Has nothing to do with lesbianism. Has to do with the fact that ladies can get things done better than men. Period.

Big day for Womenfest. A drag brunch at the Aqua Sidebar from 11-3. The place will be pouring into the streets. That many ladies will be enjoying breakfast together.

At 3, Hot Dog Church. Laurie Thibaud bartending.

I have not attended for several weeks. The humidity too hot to sit outside. No men and few women attend. Summertime’s heat bothers those in town.

Today there will be more ladies at Hot Dog Church than the breakfast earlier. The ladies will be over flowing into the parking lot.

The ladies cook and bring dishes of this and that. All good!

I am not going. Too many ladies for me. Also, I will know few of them. A male in a lesbian setting is not necessarily welcome. The regulars know and accept me because of Donna and Terri. I am one of the few males who attend. I am the only straight male.

Love the girls! I have made many new local friends by reason of Hot Dog Church.

Another reason I will avoid the event is parking. It will be a disaster! I am not in the mood to walk several blocks, especially in the heavy humidity.

Which brings me to why I think women do a better job than men.

I practiced law for 46 years. Very few female lawyers when I entered the profession in 1960. Proving the point, there were only 2 female students in my law class.

Fifteen years later, things were different. The women were into everything. Not just the law.

I did not enjoy dealing with female opposing attorneys. They did not negotiate like men. Men had a way of talking to each other in a friendly manner and resolving a problem. Everything gentile.

Different with the ladies. They were by the book. Rarely smiled. Everything was 1, 2, 3. No fun, no laughter. All business.

Not only were they tough, they were smart.

It took me a coupe of years to adapt. It took the ladies a couple of years to ease off and treat a male opposing attorney as a friend. Friends can do business fairly and effectively. Both sides had to learn.

Now I look at the world. Women leaders of nations. Women active in business at the highest levels.

I believe men have screwed things up for centuries. Let’s give the ladies a shot. They can do no worse. I suspect they will do much better.

There was no joy in Louis’ house yesterday, Syracuse got the shit knocked out of them! Lost to Maryland 63-20.

I have no further comment.

Dorian is amazing. Heading towards Canada last night. Expected to increase to a category 3. Earlier in the day, it passed the coast of Maine. Winds 100 miles per hour.

I have never seen a hurricane such as Dorian. I pray we never see one again.

Oprah Winfrey. An amazing woman!

Her day time show went national. It became the highest rated talk show in U.S. history. By 2008, Oprah had 46 million viewers weekly.

Trump screws everything up. It is the nature of the man.

We find that a “secret” meeting involving Trump, the President of Afghanistan and the Taliban was to take place today at Camp David. The Afghan and Taliban representatives were to have flown in last night.

The Taliban apparently feared they did not have enough leverage to be successful at the meeting. They conducted a suicide bombing monday in Afghanistan. One last show of power. Eleven civilians and one U.S. service member were killed.

Trump cancelled the meeting. Because of the suicide bombing, Trump was uncertain whether the Taliban leaders could negotiate a “meaningful” peace agreement.

TV star Donald as usual wanted to make the peace result a dramatic showy Trump event.

He should never have conducted a meeting involving an issue of such magnitude in secret. Had the event planned been as a public one, I doubt the Taliban would have opted for a pre meeting suicide bombing.

Who knows? I may be wrong. However, I am sick and tired of Trump spoiling everything he touches.

Perhaps more patience is required. After all, the war is only 18 years old.

I am going to have a late breakfast at Harpoon Harry’s. Eggs benedict and hash browns. Followed by a walk along the waterfront.

Tonight, I don’t know.

Enjoy your Sunday!

Trump has a bad habit. He wants to cause pain to those who do not agree with him. A my way type guy. My way or the highway. Get even. Abuse power. Seek to punish illegally. Bring federal power down unjustly on the innocent.

Obama imposed stricter air pollution and mileage regulations. Trump is significantly eating away at the Obama standards. Effectively returning the U.S. to a time when pollutants and emissions were more deadly.

Four auto makers disagreed with Trump. Ford, Honda, Volkswagen, and BMW. Their attitude…..Leave well enough alone.

In July, California came out with tougher standards. They went opposite the direction Trump was taking. California refused to roll back standards, imposed tougher ones.

The four auto companies backed the California plan.

No problem. Suddenly, the four companies are under an anti-trust investigation.

Trump’s way!

Key West celebrating Womenfest Week. An international celebration. Lesbians and their friends come from all over the world to party.

They take over the town! Properly so.

Difficult for a guy to have fun. Especially a straight one.

I recall several years ago attending an event at Aqua during Womenfest. It was a drag show for the ladies.

Aqua was packed. The ladies all beautiful. Enjoying themselves.

Men few. Actually Louis and the drag queens.

I did not have a good time. Too many ladies dancing to a different tune. I did not belong. I left.

I share the tale with you because I now try to avoid Duval during Womenfest.

Last night, I went south. Geiger Key.

Different people. Different even from those normally in Key West.

Geiger is generally frequented by Geiger Key locals. A breed different from Key West and those who gather during Womanfest. Sort of a cross between Hogfish and Duval.

I enjoyed a fish sandwich and chatting with Geiger Key locals.

Dorian isn’t giving up! Longest hurricane I can recall.

Dorian presently between Block Island and Cape Cod. As a category 1.

Block Island and Cape Cod different type places I have enjoyed and frequented over the years. When at the Cape, I stayed at a hotel. On Block Island, rented a house.

Block Island has a flavor all its own. The small town unique. The homes rented sitting at the edge of high cliffs overlooking the ocean. My Block visits were family time. Most if not all of my children and their families. The houses rented huge. Had to be.

I have experienced a few hurricanes over the years. Three have left me with recollections of an emotionally heavy nature.

Dorian # 1. Though I did not personally experience any part, it was with all of us every day on TV. Into its second week and still going strong. The Bahamas a disaster.

Andrew in 1992 another biggie! A category 5. Ripped through Homestead. Not a building left standing.  Only an occasional wall.

I drove through Homestead 3 weeks after Andrew hit. Sad!!! Hard to believe. The Bahamas look good in comparison.

Irma I will live with forever. The trip back to Key West down Route 1 a tear jerker. Mile after mile. The boats on the streets, cars in the water, houses down like the Bahamas on TV.

Two years later, people still recovering in the central keys. For 2 reasons. The federal government and the insurance companies are moving slowly with assistance. They have failed the keys.

Concerning the Bahamas, Key West is doing its job in assisting. Key West and the lower keys always do.

Three plane loads of supplies left Key West Airport yesterday. More to follow. Every day. Neighbors helping neighbors.

Trump won’t give up with the Alabama thing. Something like 10 tweets and one or two TV news shows.

The world is laughing at him. The people of the U.S. also. He is making a mockery of  himself.

What irritates me is that an Admiral and the NOAA have subjected themselves to the President’s position and supported Trump’s Alabama is going to get hit claim.

An example of a President exercising unreasonable and improper force.

Meteorologists have generally countered the NOAA and the Admiral.

One comment is to the effect that NOAA threw the NWS under the bus. Some meteorologists are baffled and upset with NOAA’s criticism of the NWS. Federal weather workers describe themselves as “shocked” and “irate.”

If we cannot trust the President, who can we trust?

We are in the middle of the hurricane season. Bad so far! It will be a long time before another is as bad as Dorian.  At least, I believe and hope so.

There are 4 more hurricanes on the way. Just beginning. Off the coast of Africa. Ferdinand, Gabrielle, and Humberto. The fourth has not been named yet.

Gabrielle already a category 1. However without even coming close to North America, it has turned sharply north into the Atlantic. The NWS has reported no hazards affecting land are anticipated.

Skipping back to Dorian for a moment, the hurricane was at North Carolina’s Outer Banks as a category 1 yesterday. It made landfall over Cape Hatteras.

An asteroid exploded over the Caribbean yesterday. We had little or no warning.

The asteroid named 2019 MO. Small. Sixteen feet in diameter. NASA spotted the asteroid yesterday “just hours” before it entered the Earth’s atmosphere. At the time first observed, the asteroid was the size of a gnat. This is when it was 310,000 miles away.

Fortunately as with most small asteroids, 2019 MO burned up in the atmosphere.

Syracuse football today! At Maryland. Noon. ESPN.

Syracuse ranked 21. Maryland unranked.

At the beginning of the week, Las Vegas had the spread favoring Syracuse by 2 1/2 points. This morning, the spread has switched. Maryland favored by 2 points.

Highly unusual. Why?

The game will tell us.

Enjoy your day!

Necessity is the mother of invention.

Danger, calamity, etc. awakens ingenuity in man. Hurricane Dorian did.

Jacksonville the place. Dorian on the way. Home owner had a new car. A Smart car. Could not park it in the garage. Garage full of junk. Car had been staying outside in the driveway.

Where to put the car? Dorian due.

No problem. Car owner drove the car into his kitchen. Through the sliding glass doors. Easy to get in. Fit perfectly.

Dorian has passed. Wife is on husband’s ass. Get the car out of my kitchen!

Donna and I apparently birds of a feather. Not sexually.

Donna fell yesterday going into the post office. I fell last week going into the post office. Donna fractured her knee. I broke nothing. Both of us now using canes.

Donna has to be out of town next week. Knee will not prevent the trip. I will be chauffeur and dinner companion to Terri as needed during Donna’s absence. We are already scheduled for Dueling Bartenders and Antonia’s monday night.

Key West has had various businesses over the years. The business came, stayed quite a while, then left.

Each business extremely successful while here. An example is the cigar industry. In 1906, Key West was home to 40 cigar factories employing a total of 2,000 persons.

Today, no cigar factories in Key West.

The old B’nai Zion Synagogue on Simonton street was sold this day in 1969 to a serviceman’s Christian Center. B’nai Zion moved to a new building on United Street.

Today and for many years preceding today, the original synagogue building on Simonton has been home to one of Key West’s finest restaurants. Sarabeth’s.

I may be old fashioned. I believe City Commissions exist to care for local needs. My former home town Utica elected politicians on a regular basis. The politicos knew/understood what the people required. Two things of importance. Plow the streets of snow timely and collect the garbage timely.

The Key West City Commission many times thinks they sit in the Congress of the United States in Washington. They take on the big issues. Forgetting the small ones along the way.

A few months ago, Key West banned certain sun screens that contained particular chemicals. The chemicals purportedly bad for the reef. Scientific proof limited.

This past week, the Commission banned plastic straws.

In the meantime, Old Town roads are a mess. A disgrace. Bumpy as hell. If the holes sink any further, a car may disappear! Said of course with tongue in cheek. The roads are bad, however.

Traffic and parking continue to be problems. The Commission has for years been addressing the problems. With little success. The Commission should spend more time on these local issues.

Then there is Mount Trashmore on Stock Island. Key West’s responsibility. The Commission has been investigating doing something with the mountain of garbage. Perhaps housing.

Whatever, an impossible and extremely expensive task. But time is being wasted examining the possibilities.

Let me place Mount Rushmore in perspective. This morning’s paper announced Key West real property taxes would rise 3.5 percent this year. New parking meters are going up at Smathers Beach. The City needs money.

The cost of removing the garbage top of Mount Rushmore and delivering it somewhere else to be disposed of would cost approximately $75 million. The number has nothing to do with erecting anything. Why waste time even thinking about the issue?

Key West is not the only community involved in matters that belong elsewhere.

San Francisco recently declared the NRA a “Domestic Terrorist Organization.”

The noose is tightening when it comes to our rights. Trump step by step has been eroding basic rights.

No question Trump has screwed up the immigration situation. Yahoo News announced tuesday it had obtained a document setting forth a new area for FBI monitoring. Per the document, the FBI is now tracking border protest groups as extremist organizations.

What happened to freedom of speech? Freedom to protest?

Relations between the U.S. and China are strained to say the least. War a concern. Could be inevitable.

Nicholas Kristof is one of the most well respected columnists in the world. I consider him knowledgeable and generally on point.

He is a New York Times Opinion Columnist.

Kristof published a war with China column tuesday. Titled: This Is How A War With China Could Begin.

The article began…..”First, the light in Taiwan goes out.”

Taiwan and China have been at each other’s throats for some time. Things getting worse, not better. The conflict could find the U.S. being drawn in. A 1979 American law commits the U.S. to Taiwan’s defense. The verbiage a bit ambiguous. Sufficient however to get us involved.

Kristof’s analysis not one you would expect. The Taiwan/China conflict would not begin with an amphibious invasion. First, a cyberattack. Then sabotage of underwater cables. Concluding with interference by China in the South China Sea with tankers carrying oil to Taiwan.

At what point would the U.S. get involved? Is the U.S. prepared to get involved?

So many years the U.S. has been involved in Afghanistan. Our first general was finally killed. Major General Harold J. Greene, age 55. The highest ranking member of the military to be killed.

Communication moves fast today. Same day. Cell phones, e-mail, the internet,  etc.

There was a time when things were slow. Very slow.

Take for example Robert Peary and the North Pole. Peary had discovered/arrived at the North Pole. Word of his success took 5 months to arrive. It was not till this day in 1906 that the world became aware of Peary’s great feat.

Syracuse plays its second game of the season saturday. Against Maryland. Noon. ESPN.

I shall be watching the game from the comfort of a chair in my living room.

Enjoy your day!

He does the ridiculous! He then lies to cover it up!

Our President. Donald Trump.

He writes with a Sharpie. The pen gives him that bold signature we always see when he holds up an Executive Order.

It was never contemplated that Dorian would hit Alabama. Not part of expert consideration.

A few days ago, Trump announced that Alabama was safe, would not be hit. Problem was no one ever said Dorian was going to affect Alabama in any way.

Trump must have picked up on his error. Yesterday, he was flashing an official U.S. weather map. One specifically intended to reflect Dorian’s movements.

The map was published 8/29. Yesterday, 9/4. Trump had the 8/29 map in hand. It showed in white the outer parameters of Dorian. The white parameters gave no indication of an Alabama hit.

However someone had extended the cone using a black Sharpie to show the storm would hit Alabama. Someone had screwed with an official document by so doing.

Trump showed the corrected version on the internet. As if to say, I was correct it would hit Alabama!

He took a beating all day that someone hard marked up the original. He further was questioned as to why a U.S. Weather Bureau office in Alabama had immediately said on 8/29 that the President was wrong. No way would Alabama be involved.

Our President is never wrong. Five days later he is on TV with the corrected version claiming he was correct.

Amazing, the man cannot even correctly bungle something up. White lines, the added black Sharpie lines.

When questioned, Trump said he do not know where the black line came from. Repeated his lack of knowledge 3 times in a row.

The only positive that comes out of this scenario is that we can say with confidence he knows where Alabama is. Nothing more.

Tampering with an official weather map is illegal under the U.S. Code. Punishable by a fine or 90 days in jail.

I doubt Trump will be pursued criminally. He is the President!

Some pray, some do not. Some talk to God, some do not.

The power of prayer can be strong. There are those instances when it can be misapplied.

Marianne Williamson is a candidate for the Democratic nomination for President. A bit weird. I have been watching her closely during the campaign. Initially, I was impressed. Her words wholesome. Her direction uplifting.

I have come to the conclusion she is a bit of a nut.

She has taken the position that Dorian did not hit the U.S. because of “prayer.” The “power of the mind” kept Dorian away.

Apparently the people of the Bahamas did not pray sufficiently. Such is why they were hit badly.

Williamson said, “Two minutes of prayer, visualization, mediation for those in the way of the storm” prevented the storm from hitting U.S. shores as it did the Bahamas.

I pray, though infrequently. I talk to God often, however. Especially in those instances when I want to know why something adverse is happening to me.

However, I cannot accept Williamson premise that it was prayer that saved the U.S. To do so means alternatively that God wanted to punish the Bahamian people. I am confident they pray also.

Key Westers are a good hearted people. They forget not. Especially the help that came from all sources 2 years ago when Irma befell the keys.

Dorian hit the Bahamas. Key West immediately recognized its obligation to help. A group “Key West Cares” has been formed. Purpose to get aid quickly to our neighbors a mere 50 miles away. First money. Then water, food, etc. Money works quickly initially.

A second meeting was held yesterday at City Hall. The Commission Chambers packed.

Peter Batty and Mark Rossi 2 of the group’s leaders.

Amazing how persons of different strokes come together in a time of calamity.

Peter Batty is a Deacon at St. Mary By the Sea Catholic Church. Mark Rossi is the owner of the Red Garter. A gentlemen’s club/strip joint on Duval.

Batty made an interesting comment: “Between the two of us, we can cover everything from the sacred to the profane.”

Dorian dropped to a category 2 yesterday. Back up to a 3 today. Dorian will skirt the Carolina’s today. Perhaps even turn inland a bit.

Surges of up to 8 feet anticipated.

Dorian certainly throwing his weight around. And for a longer period than normal.

New York Time columnist Eugene Robinson wrote yesterday in view of Dorian, “Climate change is real. Welcome to the new normal.”

I doubt I shall ever forget Irma. It left its mark on me.

Irma hit Key West 2 years ago on September 10, 2017. For several days prior, it was coming straight at Key West. No deviation. Anticipated to be a category 5 when it hit.

Too much for me! I got out!

Left 5 days before Irma arrived. It was September 5 when I began heading north on U.S. 1.

All indications were Irma was going to hit the lower keys and then ride up the west side of Florida. So I put into Pompano for the night figuring I was safe on the east coast.

The motel evicted me the next morning. Irma had changed her mind and was going to come up the east coast.

I decided I was going to get as far away as I could. Far far away.

I decided to drive up the Florida Turnpike. It runs up the center of Florida. If Irma changed its mind again or continued to change its mind, I would be safe. Plus, I was getting out of Florida. My goal Atlantas, Georgia.

A long drive from Pompano. Got there late at night. Was lucky to get a room at the downtown Marriott. Forty seventh floor. One wall window floor to ceiling. Beautiful view!

I was safe!

Turned out not. Two days later, the Marriott threw me out. Irma was coming!

Note it had yet to hit landfall in Key West or the lower keys.

What to do? Jean Thornton! She and Joe live in Birmingham, Alabama. She said if I wanted, to give her a call and stay at their home. I did.

The trip a success! Fun! Myself and 5 other “escapees,” 2 dogs, and Jean and Joe together for 12 days. A party!

When I returned to Key West, I saw the damage wrought by Irma all the way down the keys.

Thought I was leaving late enough so the water and power would be on. They were. Went off within 48 hours for a few days.

Only part of the Irma story.

I wrote a book about my experience. Irma and Me. Very very interesting. What I have set forth thus far only a small part of that experience. Some funny, some sad.

I sat glued to the TV screen last night from 5-11. Watched the remaining 10 Democratic candidates being interviewed by CNN. The topic climate change.

Got to tell you something. Mayor Pete Buttigieg impresses me more and more.

Have to hustle. A manicure at noon.

Enjoy your day!