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One of my all time favorites. The Wizard of Oz. Even at 84, love it!

It was this day in 1939 the Wizard of Oz was first shown on a movie screen. Its debut. Opened at theaters around the country.

A tough film for Judy to make. A grueling experience.

Hollywood moguls wanted to make every penny out of a film being done by a star such as Judy. Time was money. There was a schedule. Required to be adhered to!

Judy was encouraged to use stimulants to keep her working and sleeping pills to ensure her rest. A hell of a combination!

By 17, Judy was already addicted to barbiturates and amphetamines.

Thinness was another problem. Judy a short girl. Just under 5 feet. Her size made her look a bit overweight even when she was not. So the studio constantly had her on a diet.

She had to be thin and energetic.

The drugs were a problem all her life. She died from an accidental overdose in 1969 at age 47.

Mickey Rooney had certain similar experiences. When he and Judy made a movie together, they were taken to the studio hospital, given sleeping pills, and waken at the same time. They slept in separate beds in the same room.

When sleep time was over, they were given stimulants so they could return before the cameras to work.

In spite of the glory, a tough life!

A little Key West.

On this day in 1984, Truman Capote died. His most famous novel In Cold Blood.

Capote spent close to a whole year in Key West in 1968. He came to vacation in Key West for a short period. Liked Key West and its people so remained.

He decided to stay at David Wolkowsky’s Pier House Motel which had just opened. Later the first day, David invited Capote for a drink where he resided at the time. A trailer on the grounds of the new Pier House. David’s living quarters during the construction.

Capote liked David’s trailer and its furnishings. He told David he wanted to stay there rather than in the motel. David said no. The trailer was his residence. A couple of drinks later and some interesting chat, David agreed. Capote would sleep in his trailer and he in Capote’s motel room.

Capote had a fun year in Key West. Wrote a novel while here. “Answered Prayers.” He gave David one of the draft copies of the manuscript. Years later when David was residing in Penthouse on top of Fast Buck Freddie’s, someone stole it. Never recovered.

This morning’s Citizens’ Voice had an interesting comment. In effect and paraphrased, the comment stated were a person to live long enough he/she would have to worry about being caught “holding a plastic straw.” No longer a joint!

Times do change!

Key West has a new resident. Lucas. A 9 month old Dalmatian. The Key West Firefighters adopted Lucas from a Dalmatian Rescue in South Florida.

The new parents and Lucas are doing well.

We are in the midst of the hurricane season. The next couple of weeks the most dangerous.

Dorian is out there. At the moment, a storm of little consequence. Forty miles an hour. Small in size. Five hundred miles east of the Barbados.

Too soon to project with certainty whether it will develop further and where it will go. Time however to let people know a problem could be on the way.

The experts say we will know by next tuesday whether a tropical storm. By wednesday, whether a hurricane.

Where it will land, no one knows yet. At the moment heading northeast. Its path over south Florida. Could be over the keys. The thought is it will turn before it hits shore and get lost in the hurricane graveyard in the north Atlantic.

Immediately behind Dorian is another. Not sufficiently intense to have a name as yet. Meteorologists  will know in 48 hours what it will be. Probably a tropical depression of sorts. The next day things could change rapidly. Presently projected as havng a 90 percent chance of increasing to a hurricane.

Too soon to tell the direction it will take.

One of the better known and worst hurricanes was Andrew which hit land this day 1992. Homestead, Upper Keys, and the Ocean Reef area.

A category 5.

Wiped out Homestead.

I drove through Homestead 3 weeks after Andrew hit. The main highway had not been affected. Never saw anything like it. Every house and building down. An occasional wall left standing. Looked like a nuclear bomb had wiped the community out.

Brought tears to my eyes.

Came across a small article this morning. A pre-school classroom in St. Petersburg. Affiliated with the Allendale United Methodist Church.

The classroom in question containing 2 year olds.

Someone shot a bullet through the window. No one hurt. Probably why it is not a big deal. Should be however. These shootings have to stop. The President and Republican Senators have to do the necessary. Pass appropriate legislation.

The St. Petersburg Police Chief reported the bullet appeared to have been a stray one. Went through the window. Died when it hit the window’s curtain. Landed on the windowsill.

Harry Truman loved Key West. Key West loves Harry Truman.

Eleven visits to Key West during his Presidency. A total of 175 days.

Truman was a tough guy. Grew up on a farm. Did farm chores. U.S. Army during World War I. A failed retailer. Politician.

A U.S. Senator. Respected. His hard working and honesty recognized.

His tough attitude when a decision had to be made one of his better attributes.

The most difficult probably the decision to order the dropping of atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

Another of a different flavor, so to speak, Truman’s ordering the U.S. Army seize control of the railroads. The railroad workers and their tough unions were threatening a strike. A strike was not in Truman’s game plans. He was busy rebuilding Europe. He had recently ordered U.S. troops into Korea. His plate was full. A major railroad strike not in the cards.

Truman issued an Executive Order placing control of the railroads under the U.S. Army. The Army controlled the railroads for 21 days. Truman was successful in avoiding a rail strike at a time one was not prudent.

When I think of Truman and the railroads, I think about Reagan and the air controllers. Both Men knew they were President, understood the power of their office, and were not afraid to exercise it.

Enjoy your Sunday!

The platform problem is hopefully resolved. There may be one more. However Sloan thinks it may only be common to my computer.

The problem was a combination of WordPress and Go Daddy.

Today’s blog is SOON…..THE FOUR HORSEMEN OF THE APOCALYPSE. You have to go back one blog to get it.

If anyone has a further problem, please write me in the COMMENTS section. I want to be sure we’ve got it right.

Two recent blogs were lost. There is one published in the past 2 weeks from last year. Someone wrote there was a whole page. I could not find it.

Hope you find interesting The Four Horsemen.

So many things happening. Makes me wonder if harbingers of what is to come.

Trump off his rocker. He was bad enough till this month. Then got worse. The month thus farf bad. Last week the worse. The last few days not capable of being described.

At the moment, Trump is in France awaiting the beginning to the G-7 Conference which begins with a working dinner tonight.

Will the 7 nations make it through dinner? Trump has totally aggravated 6 of them. I wonder if all will still be together at the end of the conference. Physically together. Trump may walk out at some time, Or, one or more of the others.

All is not sweetness and light. Not kumbaya.

This week has been especially interesting as regards Biblical/religious titles claimed by Trump or applied to him. “I am the chosen one!” My Maker? “King of Israel.” Maybe that is why he loves Israel so much. “The second coming of God.” Could be if the phrase is applicable to the end of the world. Problem is I was not aware Trump was God in disguise.

King of Israel has met with significant disapproval by American Jews. Justin Jonathan is Director of the Anti-Defamation  League. His words prove the point: “…..it’s hard to think of something less kosher than telling the Jewish people you’re the King of Israel, and therefore we should have some fidelity to you for that reason.”

Wars being fought all over the world. Where not yet fought, a good chance such soon could be. China for example will not put up with Trump’s bullshit forever.

The Bible is a good reference for what occurred yesterday, is happening today, and will tomorrow. Tomorrow could very well be the end of the world. The Apocalypse/Armageddon. Best represented by the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse: Conquest, War, Famine, and Death.

A time when one quarter of the population will be killed by a combination of the Four.

Each of the Four Horsemen riding a different colored horse: White, red, black, and pale.

Conquest riding the white horse. A conqueror bent on conquest, ergo the name. The Conqueror had power. His loyal followers engaged in constant war at his bidding.

The second horse the red one. The rider War. War had the power to take peace from the earth and to make men slay each other.

The black horse ridden by Famine. High food prices leading to famine. “A quart of wheat for a day’s wages, and three quarts of barley for a day’s wages, and do not damage the oil and the wine.”

The last rider Disease. On a pale horse. The horse named Death, with Hades following close behind.

Apply the Four Horsemen to what is going on in the world today. The prediction they represent is found in the Book of Revelation. Also known as the Revelations of Jesus Christ or The Apocalypse. One step away from the actual end of the world as described in the Bible.

So much for life and death under Donald trump and those following him.

You have not read anything by me for a few days. Two reasons.

The first involves my platform. I use WordPress. Absolutely terrific. Been with them ten years plus. WordPress wrote and said they were making major changes to the platform and it had to be done by September 1.

I was charged. of course. Contacted Sloan and asked her to follow the transfer or whatever it was called.

WordPress said the whole thing would take 24-48 hours. Took 72.

The end result not perfect. What follows is not an adverse reflection on Word Press. I love them! They have done much to improve my blog and get it great exposure.

When I went to do a blog on the updated WordPress, I could not. Could not even get past page 2 of WordPress. Sloan, help! Turned out there were a multitude of problems. A few still out there. sloan coming over this afternoon to work them out.

Someone complained I had a blog or page of old blogs in the blog’s current listing. Yes, I did and still do. Sloan will hopefully resolve the problem. Problem was not there till WordPress did work on the platform.

It amuses me how some are quick to jump on my back if something is out of kilter. God help me when I misspell a word! I read the criticism. I am pleased when someone else comments that Louis will be aware and will fix it.

I am impressed this blog is getting out this morning. Took me an hour before I could get past page 2. I hope it publishes at the appropriate time.

Let me add I did 2 blogs that never even made it to the listing because of the WordPress problem.

Second reason. I fell again. I would describe it as my second worst fall. Did not even try to write the blog the past few days while healing.

When you’re old stupid things happen. I was going to the Post Office at Winn-Dixie. Stubbed my toe on the curb as I lifted my foot. My right knee a mess. Pain and lots of blood. Hurts only a little today. My left elbow to my shoulder big time pain.

Two doctors yesterday. No fractures. You should be better in a week.

Again, why don’t you use a cane? The thought bothers me. It is a concession to old age. No cane the only thing I have left.

However, I understand. I worry about breaking something, especially a hip.

Got a cane yesterday. A used one. Lisa had her father in law’s old one. I am using it. Amazingly, it does help. Not only walking, even getting up out of a chair.

I am internet shopping to get a new one. My good friends Tim and Cindy from Des Moines have been helping with advice. Cindy a cane warrior for years.

There is humor involved in the fall.

I could not get up. Always the problem. Don’t laugh. Two old ladies and two old men got me up. Took a while. None of us were kids!

Good people.

Enjoy your day!

My dear friend Jean Thornton and her husband Joe are on a 1 month European vacation.

A fantastic couple. Jean especially. No disrespect Joe. She is a special woman.

Jean has provided us with photos and comment about the trip so far. The portion they are in is a boat trip on certain rivers which takes them through many cities. Jena’s 2 Facebook messages I have received indicate that she and Joe have already dione Amsterdam and Cologne.

A cheap trip this is not. European river boat cruises are top shelf with corresponding costs. Not everything provided, however.

I forget whether Amsterdam or Cologne, Jean wrote she was taking clothes with her that had to be washed. Would you believe! No washers/dryers on board for paying guests.

I am sure carry, clean and return did not bother Jean. Nothing bothers her. She goes with the flow and enjoys life.

She understands also the need to periodically clean clothes.

My escape from Irma found me at Jean and Joe’s home in Birmingham. Twelve days. Who had enough clothes. I did not realize I would be away that long.

Jean washed and dried my shirts. Everyone else’s, also.

Special? You better believe it!

Sloan came over at 1. We had several things to do. Technical. She knows the computer/internet end of things. We got a lot done in a short time.

Spent the balance of yesterday afternoon watching the final round of the BMW Tournament. Justin Thomas won. A big deal! Picks up around $1 million for the tournament. Places him in #1 position for the Fed Ex portion which begins next week. The winner gets $10 million.

Dinner last night at La Trattoria. Bar almost empty. Restaurant, also. The town is dead likewise. I suspect because it is that time. The kids have returned to school. Mom and Dad are broke. Spent money on summer vacations for the family and new school clothes for the children.

Another 4-6 weeks things will return to booming.

It was good to see Tiffany again. We go back 25 years to Antonia’s when she was bartending there.

The History Section of this morning’s Key West Citizen notes that on this day in 1952, the population of Key West was 26,433. Not including Navy personnel and dependents.

I thought the number strange. My recollection was the population of Key West today is around that number. I checked it out. I was correct. The last census of Key West indicated a population of 25,208.

The number makes sense. Key West is a tourist town. Most people come to visit, not stay. Another consideration is Key West is a tiny island. 1/2 x 4 miles. Can only hold so many homes and the utilities necessary to service the homes.

Haward (spelled correctly) McKee is a Key West friend. Met him through Jean Thornton. He was one of the Irma escapees staying at Jean’s home also. Howard ran 2 pics with comments underneath on today’s Facebook.

One was a photo of Obama. Underneath was printed: When you know your shit. The other was a photo of Trump. Underneath was printed: When you know you’re shit.

A great find Haward!

Sharks are a major problem this summer at Cape Cod beaches. Including Great Whites. There have a number of attacks  on both man and large fish. Many of the beaches have been shut down several hours at a time.

Sharks are the new normal. They are everywhere.

In my other life, I spent 10 days to 2 weeks every summer in Chatham. Loved the Cape.

One summer, sharks were a problem. The first time at the time to my recollection. We were periodically pulled out of the water by life guards because of a shark scare. I asked one of the life guards how they could tell. It seems small fish run near the top in large numbers. Sharks come up from underneath and gobble them up. Whenever a large area of ripples appeared, it was for sure caused by the little fish. If they were there, the sharks were also.

On my Greece trips, I have visited Santorini several times. One of the most beautiful places in the world. I would sit outside my room which was carved out of the side of the cliff. Drink in hand, umbrella over my head, I would see several other Santorini islands split from the original Santorini during a massive volcanic explosion around 1500 B.C., if I recall correctly.

Navel contemplation time. God was in his Heaven, all was right right with the world.

The volcano part of Santorini sat before me a couple of miles out. It its blacken majesty.

I decided to climb the volcano. Took the boat trip over. There were about 50 of us. We had a guide. A volcano is a mass of black coal. No other way to describe. Think of one small piece in your hand. Multiply its size hundred thousands of times.

I wanted to be in front when we go to the top. I wanted to look into the belly of the volcano. So I started directly in back of the guide. A relatively narrow path up.

After a while, I was in the middle of the group. then at the end. Then one of the stragglers. Then the last straggler.

No way was I going to make it. Heart attack time! Pure exhaustion!. I sat on a rock and rejoined the group on the trip back.

All this shared with you as a prelude to St. Helena Island.

Never visited there. Merely read about it.

A portion of St. Helena is a volcano. Best described as a “volcanic outcrop.”

Its claim to fame Napoleon was exiled there.

St. Helena is 2,500 miles east of South America, 1,210 west of Africa.

Very much out of the way from everything. The shortest route obviously a boat trip from Africa. Five days.

St. Helena decided it needed an airport. They completed a first class one in August 2017. Could handle the big planes. Problem is air traffic to St. Helena is next to non existent.

I was motivated to write about St. Helena and Santorini together because of some photos I saw of the volcano portion of St, Helena. Exactly like it was with Santorini!

Google St. Helena and take a look at the photos of the volcano. If you are of the generation that had no need to deal with coal, you will see what a big piece of coal looks like.

Donna is on a Caribbean cruise with her granddaughter. Terri here in Key West. By choice.

Terri’s life must go on. I am the designated chauffeur/driver this week. Tonight she and I will do Dueling Bartenders. Terri singing. Then dinner at the bar at Antonia’s.

Enjoy your day!

The things I learn.

There is a community in the U.S. described as the “whitest city in America.” Portland, Oregon.

Portland has been in the news because of yesterday’s confrontation between liberal and far right groups.

The liberal group are known as Antifa. An Anti-Fascist group. The Rose City Antifa one of its leaders.

The far right several groups combined. The most prominent Proud Boys. Proud Boys and the far right can be described as white nationalists. The Southern Poverty Law Center descries Proud Boys as a general hate group.

There have been 12 confrontations in Portland since 2017. Violence occurred in 2.

Ill feeling runs high. Both sides believe they are doing what is right for America.

The far right groups advertised “Death to Antifa……Bring guns.”

Another cry heard “End Domestic Terrorism!”

Proud Boys is described as an “Organization of Terror.”

Yesterday’s confrontation has been described as the largest national supremacist rally ever. Roughly 500 far rights showed up.

The white supremacist group went to Portland seeking violence. It was their intent to turn Portland into a battleground.

The City and the police were concerned. Concrete barriers were used to separate the 2 groups.

Portland was selected by the far right because it is the whitest city in America. How so? Portland is 77 percent white. Less than 6 percent black.  A fertile recruiting ground for racist hate groups.

The State itself bears initial blame. Oregon envisioned itself as a white utopia. Blacks were banned from residency till 1926. Would you believe?

The police are a significant factor. They support far right groups. The police and Mayor are truly separate and distinct. The Mayor’s office operates in fear of the police.

Now comes Donald Trump. A white nationalist, a bigot. He obviously stands with the far right groups. He blames Antifa for the disturbances. Especially yesterday’s. Trump has threatened to designate Antifa a “terrorist group.” Understandable. Trump stood with the white nationalists in Charlottesville, also.

Trump by his words and actions encouraging white nationalist groups. He is in effect saying…..I stand with you.

The first legal time when Trump can be replaced is the 2020 election. I fear we may not make it. Violent street confrontations will soon be the order of the day. rump is otherwise screwing up our democracy.

My admonition my friends is to not support Trump in anything. Other than a tax cut for the rich, what has he accomplished in 2 1/2 years? Come November 2020, vote for the Democrat candidate for President. Also vote Democratic for the Senate and House. Give the new President the tools to work with.

While tensions were manifesting themselves in Portland, I had a quiet day in Key West. We love everyone!

A manicure with Tammy at 1. Ran some errands. Then home to watch the PGA BMW Tournament.

Round 3. Justin Thomas outdid himself. Shot 61. In 1st place going into the final round today. With a 6 stroke lead!

He played so well. Even had 2 eagles.

A change of pace dinner last night. Crispy duck at La Te Da. Ate at the outside bar. Chatted with the people around me.

Key Westers are community minded. Especially our elected officials. However the new City Commission seems to think they sit in Congress in Washington. They attack the big issues rather than the small mundane ones important to their citizens.

The Commission’s present concern is banning plastic straws. A noble thought. Everyday plastics as a whole should be banned. But not by the Commission of a 27,000 person city.

Several months ago, Key West got into banning sun tan lotions if certain substances were contained in them. Something like to scinetist said this was the case. All others no. The 2 in support of the banning took the position that the sun screens they were concerned with were destroying the reef. The reef is important to Key West.

The Commission’s vote was meaningless. Visitors can bring their own sun screen lotions int o Key West. People can also buy sun screen lotions in communities outside Key West and use them in Key West.

There was a suspicion what Key West was doing was going to spark some sort similar action throughout the country. It has not. Probably won’t. Primarily because the scientific proof to evidence harm does not evidence itself in tests.

Why this tirade?Simple. I believe the Commission should concern itself with problems that directly affect their citizens. Like fixing the streets. Resurfacing, repaving, whatever. The streets are an abomination. Especially in the downtown area. No one seems to do anything about it. Talk, yes. Action, no.

Trump knows he screwed up with the tariffs. Does not know how to extricate himself.

Perhaps blame another. His way. This week he said Europe will have problems next. Next referring to Germany. He did nothing wrong.

German will have problems by sometime next year. If so, a world wide recession guaranteed.

The solution to the recession danger is for Trump to quickly resolve the China tariff dispute, all tariff disputes. Then do whatever necessary to help Germany and other European countries. We are all in this recession thing together. The President should back off from his tariff wars, say maybe I was wrong and do the necessary to save the U.S. and rest of the world from a major recession.

It would work to his advantage come the 2020 election.

The Palestinian grandmother of Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib expressed her thoughts re Trump: “May God ruin him.”

I assume Palestinians are of the Islamic faith. Muslims. Trump should beware. The Congresswoman’s grandmother may call a jihad down on Trump.

I have a busy afternoon. Sloan has returned from her Colorado vacation. She is due at 1. We have many things to do.

Enjoy your Sunday!

Greed is a terrible thing. Eventually bites the ass of the person perpetrating it.

Aesop’s fable The Goose That Laid The Golden Egg tells the story of a married couple who owned a goose that laid a golden egg. One every day. For greed, they decided to kill the goose to obtain all the gold they supposed was inside.

The goose and the one golden egg every day were no more.

Another way of describing the lesson to be learned is that killing the goose was the short sighted destruction of a valuable asset.

It was reported this week that Florida tourism for the first 6 months of this year was the highest ever. Reflected a 5 percent increase. The number of tourists totaled 68.9 million.

Speaking strictly of Key West, the tourism boost is too much. Each year more and more. Those paid to promote Key West do an excellent job. Too good. Too many visiting our tiny island. Traffic horrendous. Parking a major problem. Cost of everything off the wall.

The hotels and motels are getting big bucks. Restaurants and bars likewise. People don’t seem to mind paying. However, the time will come when they will. Sooner than you may think.

And when it does, Key West will have killed its goose.

Tourism has to be controlled.

Greed the order of the day. Make more and more money each year. One problem, however. Our little town cannot handle all these people. In due course visitors will realize it and start vacationing where prices are cheaper and it is easier to get around. Reasonable might be the better word.

The cause once again will have been the greed that permeates Key West’s business community. They are blind to tomorrow.

Duval Street is named for William Pope Duval, the first governor of territorial Florida.

The first person to own Key West was Juan Salas. He received a land grant for the island from the King of Spain. Eventually, the island was sold to 4 persons. Pardon        Greene, John Whitehead, John Fleming and John Simonton. Four major Key West thoroughfares are named after them.

Fleming’s name was not spelled back then as it is today. It’s original spelling was Fleeming.

Dinner at Roostica last night. They have a half broiled organic chicken that is absolutely delicious. Third time I have enjoyed it.

Seems that most, if not all, things Trump does end up having a negative effect. He is not the man who people thought he was when they voted for him.

I would like to say his most recent screw up involved Russia, but I cannot. That which I shall share with you occurred 2 weeks ago. A long time where the Donald is concerned. He has created more problems since.

The 2 weeks ago situation occurred on August 2 when the U.S. formally withdrew from the Intermediate Range Nuclear Forces Treaty it had with Russia. A treaty in existence for at least 50 years.

A smart move when the treaty was entered into. The U.S. and Russia were, if I recall correctly, the only 2 nations possessing nuclear weapons. The U.S. had the upper hand at the time. The U.S. forced Russia into the treaty in order to protect NATO nations in Europe.

Two weeks ago, Trump said he wanted the U.S. to test a new non-nuclear mobile launched cruise missile. That is why he withdrew from the agreement. Russia was not happy.

Last week, Russia conducted its first test since the U.S. walked away from the agreement. Russia tested what is described as a “doomsday weapon.” A missile of unlimited range to best the U.S.’s missile defenses.

One problem. Russia’s test failed. Sort of a high profile hiccup. The nuclear missile exploded. Five scientists  killed. A radiation spike occurred. At the moment, the radiation has reached the northern coast line of Norway.

Trump unilaterally withdraws from a nuclear treaty with Russia. Within 2 weeks Russia tests a new nuclear missile capable of evading U.S. missile defenses and having an unlimited range.

Things move fast in Russia.

Trump probably smiling that Putin screwed up. He should not. The next time or the time thereafter it will work. Then where will the U.S. be? I have not heard of any nuclear tests by the U.S. Probably not yet on U.S. drawing boards.

The President has placed us in jeopardy once more.

China another major Trump screw up. I need not go into the details. His tariff moves with Russia have placed the world on the brink of a major recession, caused U.S. farmers to hurt big time, forced other U.S. industries to suffer. He has really shown that he understands tariff wars, likes tariff wars, and knows how to win tariff wars.

The preceding has nothing to do with what I shall discuss next. However it portrays the mood presently existing between the world’s 2 largest economies and military forces.

China has re-education camps. First established in 2014. If a Chinese person does not accept the government line, the person is sent to a re-education camp. Supposedly to be re-educated.

I do not accept the re-education part. Those sent are primarily Uighur Muslims. There is no time limit. Could be 8 months, 8 years, or forever.

The Muslims are subjected to all kinds of suffering. The women especially. Many  unknowingly sterilized. They receive shots and are unaware what the inoculations are for. If and when they get out, they discover they cannot bear children. The shots did it!

The total number of camp inmates is uncertain. The number anywhere from half a million to 3 million.

The camps are bad enough. What I do not understand is why the sterilization. For many years China operated under the 1 child rule. A couple could not have more than 1 child. If a woman became pregnant with #2, she was subjected to a non consensual abortion.

In 2016, China upped the number of children permitted per couple to 2.

Why then sterilize these women? Because they are Muslim? Because they are incapable of being re-educated? Why?

Enjoy your day!

A morning stew day. Did not get my blog out yesterday. Combining yesterday’s notes with today’s. There will be no sequence. I take ’em as they come up.

Hang Trump in effigy? Could happen.The number disliking him growing. When the economy busts, as I believe it will, his popularity level will be zip.

Why start with effigy? Because on this day in 1841, then President John Tyler was hung in effigy on the street in front of the White House.

Tyler was a Whig. His party wanted to re-establish the Bank of the United States. Tyler twice vetoed bills sent to him from Congress which would have permitted it.

Those hanging Tyler in effigy were members of his own Whig Party as well as unhappy citizens.

Chart Room last night.

Mel Fisher’s grandson is in town. Named Mel Fisher after his grandfather. A tall young good looking man. Early 20’s. Pleasant personality. He is working at Mel Fisher’s. Looking for a house to buy.

How proud he must be. Mel Fisher was a well liked man. Everyone was thrilled when he found the Atocha and the treasure it contained. I did not know Mel Fisher. Before my time. However, I suspect his grandson has his granddad’s charm and personality.

Thursday the U.S. Court of Appeals ruled that detained migrant children must be provided food, water, soap and toothpaste. The Court said that such “without doubt essential to a child’s safety.”

Trump’s attorneys argued against the children’s position in general. Specifically even said that soap and a tooth brush were not essential to a child’s good health.

How would Trump feel if Barron and his grandchildren had to go without soap, food, water, toothpaste, and a tooth brush? What is the saying…..Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Another comes to mind. The obligation to help those who have less than you.

It has been reported July was the hottest month in 140 years. All the way back to 1880 which was the first year temperatures were recorded.

Climate change responsible? Scientists believe so.

In the past few years, my opinion of Israel’s Netanyahu has spiraled downward. His authoritarianism has become evident. He and Trump are actually birds of a feather. In every regard. Bullies, tough, my way or the highway.

Israel sits all alone among the various Middle East countries that want to annihilate the nation. Fifty year ago, yes. Twenty five years ago, yes. Today, no. Netanyahu has become part and parcel of the Middle East power structure.

He is even in bed with the hierarchy of Saudi Arabia. Hard to believe!

Initially denying Congresswomen Omar and Tlaib to visit/travel through Israel. Stupid! The media says Netanyahu’s actions were Trump motivated.

Trump as President claims his support of Israel by words and deeds. Too much so.

The media claims Trump told Netanyahu not to let the ladies in. I think it was the other way around.

In any event, Israel has gotten too big for its britches. The U.S. should cut back on all the money given to Israel each year. Beginning with the $4 billion no one understands why it is given. Plus the billions of dollars buried in defense budgets intended  for Israel.

Let one thing be clear, I am not anti-Semitic. Never have been. No one can accuse me of it. However the relationship between Netanyahu and Trump and the Republican Party has gone a step too far. Even further than that.

How can Israel bar 2 U.S. Congresspersons from visiting Israel? Their religion should have nothing to do with anything. Even if the good ladies were Satanists, they should be allowed in. With no conditions attached to their visit.

Insanity pfrevails in the White House! Trump wants to buy Greenland!

Why? We don’t need it. Prominent Greenlanders have responded with comments like Greenland “not for sale”…..”…..must be an April Fool’s Day joke.” The best, “We’re open for business, not for sale.”

A buy sometimes can be a good deal. Jefferson’s purchase of the Louisiana Territory for example. Others are not. Greenland is not.

Interestingly, Harry Truman wanted to purchase Greenland in 1946. He was willing to pay $100 million in gold. Why the desire to buy, I do not know.

Prominent economists say a recession is on the way. Next year. Trump’s fault. Some do not agree there will be one.

Peter Schiff is a respected money man. He is affiliated with Euro Pacific Capital. His thoughts. “The trade war is already lost, Trump is doomed…..” People are going to go “ballistic.”

He added, “This is going to be the inflationary recession, there’s no way out and it’s a political disaster for Trump because the recession is going to start before he finishes this term, which means he won’t have a second term.”

The moral of the story! Buy gold!

On August 15, 1969, the Woodstock Musical Festival opened in Bethel, N.Y. More than anticipated arrived. The land became an island of mud. Pot smoking big time. Insufficient toilets. Insufficient tents.

Great music, however. Twenty four hours a day.

As the song goes, those were the days. They were hippies. This was their time to correct the U.S.’s ways. Make the nation more human. Argue against the Vietnam War.

Two prominent Key West musicians were at Woodstock. Hippies back then. Larry Smith and Christine Cordone.

Woodstock should have been a disaster. It was not. Became an icon instead.

The stock market is up and down. Major down slides. Recovery not in the same numbers. One day last week, the market dropped 800 points.

Instability in the market. Reflects an unstable market place. Investors losing faith. Indicates a recession may be on the way. A big one!

All  I can say is: Thank you, Donald Trump.

An insanity exists in this world. It begins in the White House with Donald Trump.

Trump initiated the tariff war with China. By so doing, he is destroying the economies of both countries. Xi sees it. I do not know if Trump does. Trump continues to aggravate the situation.

Hong Kong is giving China a hard time. Trump being the grandiose person he is has offered Xi assistance in resolving China’s problems with Hong Kong.

Got to be crazy! Why would China want the master mind who is screwing up the economy to sit down and try to work things out between China and Hong Kong. Trump, a man who has no respect for agreements. A man who has screwed around with China at every turn.

The man is not stable.

Mitch McConnell is a high ranking government figure. A Republican. Thirty seven years a Senator. Today, Majority Leader. Power and strength his.

McConnell from Kentucky. He runs for reelection in 2020.

A Russian company found it feasible to construct an aluminum plant in Kentucky. A major investment. Would create 1,000  to 1,500 jobs.

The U.S. had certain sanctions imposed on Russia that were causing Russia problems. The story is McConnell arranged for the sanctions to go away. The Company will now build. McConnell a hero to the Russians and Kentuckians.

After the deal came out, it was discovered that Kentucky would be making a major investment in the company. Not the way business is normally done. Kentucky would buy something like $150 million of the company’s stock.

McConnell in the middle of all this.

The deal stinks. Not the way business is usually done.

I have 3 more topics to complete today’s blog. All 3 are lengthy. This blog already too long. I save the 3 for tomorrow.

Enjoy your day!

Title and what I am about to write merely coincidental.

I was correcting blog and lost it. Can’t find it. Too much and too late to start anew.

Sorry.

Kenneth Cuccinelli is an Italian-American. Born in the U.S. Somewhere in his lineage, his descendants were born in Italy.

His career a successful one. The Virginia State Senate, Virginia Attorney General, a Republican who lost a gubernatorial race. Now serving as Acting Director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

Mark Razel is a George Mason University political scientist. Re Cuccinelli he said, “People perceive Cuccinelli as a hard-right figure on a number of issues. They don’t tend to see him as having a soft side.”

Hard right figure. His record supports the impression. Cuccinelli is a self-described opponent of women’s sexuality rights, as Attorney General he defended anti-sodomy laws and prohibitions on same sex marriages, he rejects the scientific consensus on climate change.

He has been vigorous in his disagreement re climate change. As Attorney General, he investigated climate scientists, who he argued were engaged in fraud.

He filed lawsuits against the EPA.

An immigration hard liner, he sought to prohibit undocumented immigrants from attending universities, repeal birth right citizenships, force employees to speak English in the work place.

Cuccinelli is beginning to be regarded as an historical revisionist. His interpretation of certain historical records is off base. He challenges the views of yesterday. In cases such as immigration, it involves a reversal of older moral judgments.

Revisionist and moral the operative words.

His confrontation today with history and its meaning as regards the verbiage on the Statue of Liberty is in play. Properly described as an historical revision involving the reversal of an older moral judgment.

The plaque on the Statue of Liberty reads: “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free. The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-loss to me. I lift my lamp beside the golden door.”

Cuccinelli wants a revision which is referred to as the “public charge rule.” The U.S. does not want you if you can’t afford to sustain yourself  upon arrival. He also considers persons of color as falling into the class of the poor requiring public assistance.

He would change a portion of the Statue’s verbiage to read: “Give me your tired, your poor who can stand on their own two feet and will not become a public charge.”

As an Italian American, I am ashamed of Cuccinelli. He should be ashamed of himself. What he intends is to limit immigration to whites and those able to sustain themselves financially. No one else.

Not the way it has been in the U.S. We are a nation of immigrants. Our doors are open to those seeking a better life or refuge.

Cuccinelli was born in 1968. Probably to a family already part of the American scene. His parents born in the U.S.

Somewhere back in his family’s history, some came to the U..S. seeking that better life. Under Cuccinelli’s new interpretation, they would not be permitted to enter. Cuccinelli probably would not have received the education he has and become the success he has were it not for them seeking the benefits and protection of the U.S.

He turns his back on that which provided him with opportunity. Had the family not come, Cuccinelli very likely would still be living in Italy working as a farmer or sheep herder.

Which brings me to my background and the reasons I feel Cuccinelli shames himself. Especially in the position he presently holds. It appears he has sold his soul to the company store.

My mother was born in Italy. My father of parents who arrived before his birth. Neither side was affluent. Simply stated, poor. They came seeking the better life for themselves and theirs.

My mother was living in the U.S. when she was 8 years old. Not educated. Not in a public school. At 8, she was working in a New York City shoe factory 16 hours a day.

My father never finished high school. He was ashamed. When I was 10 years old, he studied at home and took final examinations for the third and fourth years of high school. At the high school with the regular students.

He graduated with them also. Cap and gown. My father was excited. We all were. And proud.

I was a welfare baby. Born in 1935 at a hospital that provided free services to indigents. It was the height of the Depression. My parents both were out of work.

My cousins and I are all second or third generation. All successful. All having made contributions which have bettered the U.S.

My grandfather, my father’s father, came to the U.S. when he was 12. He had no family. Knew no family. Grew up on the streets and farm areas surrounding Naples. Neither read nor spoke English.

He made the trip alone.

Cuccinelli forgets. Or maybe he never knew. Perhaps he grew up in a comfortable existence. Whatever, I say again…..Shame on him!

Enjoy your day!