I was doing research re the Copa fire which occurred on August 3, 1995. The research took me back to the Key West Lou blog of the same date. Titled Miss Key West 1940. Interesting what a skip back in time reveals.

Three things I found that are worthy of repetition today. None have anything to do with the Copa fire.

A quote from the Key West Weekly: “You’ve been kicked out of Don’s Place for a dress code violation.” Impossible. Never would happen! Unless you arrived in suit and tie.

Hello Donald, David, Elizabeth and all my friends. I have not seen you in a while.

Another item referred to Miss Key West 1940. A picture of Gloria June Suarez the beauty queen accompanied the article. A lovely young lady!

The article mentioned that Gloria was born and raised in Key West. She was 90 years old on the day the picture and article were run.

Hemingway completed A Farewell to Arms while living in Key West. A good portion of the book takes place on the Italian side of Lake Maggiore. The lake lies between Italy and Switzerland.

I have been fortunate to visit Lake Maggiore several times. Beautiful! Old towns sitting on the water. Unquestionably romantic. The hotels anciently majestic.

Hemingway had a favorite bar. In one of the hotels whose name I cannot recall. I mention in my blog of August 3, 1995 my visit to the bar: “I drank in Hemingway’s favorite hotel/bar. Like going to Church.”

It was like going to Church!

Now for the Copa fire that started the research.

The Copa was a remodeled theater on Duval. It opened in 1912 for the showing of motion pictures and stage productions. In the 1970’s became an x-rated movie house. In the 1980’s, a gay night club. A hit with the gay community. The place to be.

An historical note of interest, Thomas Edison had a reserved seat while he was in Key West. He was here for long intervals during World War I assisting the government in developing naval defense explosives.

On this day in 1995, the fire broke out. The worst Key West fire in 75 years. Totally destroyed the Copa.

The Copa was rebuilt. Reopened as the Copa. Failed to succeed, however. The magic was gone.

The spiny lobster season begins tusday August 6. Runs through March 31, 2020.

The season is not expected to be a good one. Lobster fishermen are concerned.

The reason, the trade war with China. China is the Keys’ biggest customer. It is anticipated the trade war will will significantly hurt their pocket books. The Chinese government is telling its spiny lobster purchasers doing business with the U.S. not to buy.

Ninety percent of the U.S. catch comes from Monroe County. A $35 million a year business.

Once again, thank you Donald Trump. Your words during the 2016 campaign still ring in my ears: I know trade wars!…..I understand trade wars!…..I win trade wars!

This morning’s KONK Life runs an August 3, 1945 photo of the several ladies who operated the National Airlines ticket office in Key West. It was located on Southard Street at the time.

National Airlines was born in 1934. Met its demise in 1980. Its main office was the Miami International Airport.

In 1980, Pan Am bought National Airlines. National became part of Pan Am in every respect. In 1991, Pan Am went bust.

Some time later, National’s “Sun King” logo was sold to Southeast Airlines, a low cost airline at the time.

Must have rained big time thursday night. When I was out and about during the day yesterday, many streets and sidewalks were still flooded.

I never heard the storm.

The weather report indicates a tropical storm over Florida this weekend. Big time rain.

It is well known movie star Robert De Niro is not a fan of Donald Trump. De Niro recently appeared on Stephen Colbert’s show.

De Niro’s comments on the show re Trump are self explanatory: He is a “total loser”……”a disappointed Don”…..”a dumbbell.”

Another De Niro comment: “Even a gangster has morals.”

I have been house bound evenings since monday. Obvious if you were to see me. A heavy beard. The last time I shaved was sunday.

Tonight, a shave and out!

Enjoy your day!

Mitch McConnell is a U.S. Senator from Kentucky and Majority Leader of the U.S. Senate. As Majority Leader, no bill reaches the Senate floor for debate or vote without his blessing. He rarely exercises that blessing. He has refused to present for a vote almost all bills passed by the Democratic House of Representatives.

The issue of Russia playing dirty tricks with U.S. elections became apparent in 2016. Since that time, McConnell has blocked all bills intended to protect U.S. elections from Russian interference. In spite of overwhelming evidence of the same.

McConnell recently was tagged with the name “Moscow Mitch” because of his actions. A name he does not like. Especially since he is running for reelection next year.

Washington Post columnist Dana Milbank in a column published this morning commented on McConnell. He wrote, “…..McConnell has no shame. He is aiding and abetting Putin’s dismantling of Americas’ self-governance. A leader who won’t protect our country from attack is no patriot.”

Milbank’s last sentence says it all.

McDonnell has done quite well in his 37 years as a U.S. Senator.

His wife is Elaine Chao. Born in China. A resident of the U.S. since age 8. They married in 1993. She has had a distinguished career.

She served as Secretary of Labor under Bush 2 and is serving as Secretary of Transportation under Trump.

In her present position, she controls the distribution of significant federal dollars. In the 2 1/2 years she has served as Secretary of Transportation, Kentucky has received $78 million in federal grants.

Some consider the grants “murky.”

Elaine’s parents operate a large shipping business. Their firm has benefited also.

I make no representation nor suggest any wrongdoing. However it is interesting to note that in the last 20 years, the McConnell fortune has increased by the tens of millions of dollars.

My interest in politics kept me in last night. Trump was speaking at a political rally in Cincinnati. I could not find it on any channel. It became an early to bed evening.

The USS Billings is a new U.S. Navy vessel. A 369 foot littoral combat ship.

The Billings will be commissioned tomorrow. Key West has been designated as the port of its commission.

A big day for Key West!

Many American companies have gone out of business or cut back since Trump’s election. More so since the trade wars began.

The most recent major corporation to announce a cut back is Lowe’s. Management describes the number to be let go as “many.” Lowe’s plan is to outsource its maintenance and assembly worker jobs.

Some stores will be closed.

Lowe’s advises the reason for the cutbacks is to reduce costs.

Lowe’s is a major employer. Full time employees number 190,000. Part time, 110,000.

Some Trump observations.

Trump threatened yesterday to increase U.S. imposed tariffs on China by another $300 billion. China says it will retaliate.

Donald, it is no way to do business.

China is rated #2 in the world economically and militarily. They may be #1. Who really knows.

China will retaliate at this point again by imposing tariffs also. Such cannot go on forever. At some point China is going to say enough. Then a shooting war.

During this time of economic belligerency, I recall Trump’s statements during the 2016 campaign: I love tariff wars!….I understand tariff wars!…..I win tariff wars!

China did not want a tariff war. Trump did. He grossly over estimated his ability to win one.

No one wins a tariff war. Both the U.S. and China are being hurt. China has resiliency however. They will not submit in any fashion.

Trump announced yesterday the U.S. was pulling out of its Cold War nuclear treaty with Russia. An intermediate nuclear missile pact. Trump claims Russia has made no effort to comply.

The pact was signed during the Reagan years. Trump leaves me confused. Why did the U.S. wait so long to get out of the agreement? I question the truthfulness of the President’s representation. Difficult to believe anything he says.

What happened to Trump’s relationship with Putin? I thought they were friends.

This past week North Korea tested its third short range missiles again. Trump says he is not concerned. Two years ago, Trump was ready to go to war over the missile testing.

I suspect the real reason is that Trump is gearing up with everything the U.S. has to go to war with Iran. The U.S.cannot handle 2 major wars at one time. Especially when in one fashion or another, it is engaged in so many other conflicts world wide.

Two items Trump spoke about in Cincinnati last night involved the “end of the AIDS epidemic” and a “cure for childhood cancer.” The childhood cancer also referred to in the speech as pediatric cancer.

Trump claimed the “end of the AIDS” epidemic would come shortly. The “cure for childhood cancer” very shortly.

The ending of both would be a blessing. Trump however has under estimated the time yet involved in accomplishing either.

Re AIDS, the U.S. is on the way. Except the end of AIDS transmissions is not expected till 2030 at the earliest. A major AIDS scientist said even 2030 will not be easy. “Doable but daunting.”

I assume Trump mentioned the AIDS item in Cincinnati because Cincinnati has one of the highest number of AIDS victims. An epidemic. One brought on because of needle-drug use. Gay and bisexual men of color between the ages of 25 and 34 at the highest risk.

Re childhood cancers, the “very shortly” sounds encouraging. Does not hold up fact wise, however. Eighty percent of childhood cancers are curable because they involve leukemia. Leukemia is under control. Other childhood cancers are not. There lies the problem. The cure rate for pediatric cancers, except for leukemia,  has not changed in 20 years.

Children’s cancers tough! I recall when Robert was born 15 years ago. He was born with cancer of the liver. Airlifted immediately to Miami Children’s Hospital. Two major surgeries in the first 8 days of his life.

Children’s Hospital was something. Many buildings, many floors. The corridors wide and long. Each for a different cancer. Each had a sign indicating the cancer. Walking up and down the corridors where kids 2-3, 7-8, any age. Most pushing a stand with an intravenous bottle on it. Chatting with each other like nothing was wrong.

We spoke with the operating doctor following the first surgery. How did it go? How will he be? The doctor’s response chilling. We don’t know. This is the first time we’ve seen this type cancer.

Tough.

Robert is 15 today. A high school sophomore, a top student, and #1 on the high school tennis team.

Enjoy your day!

Welcome to August!

The year moving too fast. More than half gone already.

A portion of a James Bond movie was filmed in Key West and the Keys. License to Kill.

On this day in 1988, filming began. The name of the movie at the time License to Revoke. Name changed post production to License to Kill.

It was the 16th James Bond movie.

Key West and Keys locales involved included St. Mary Star of the Sea Church. Bond and the groom parachuted to the Church in time for a wedding. In addition, Route 1, Key West International Airport, the Hemingway House, the then Thai Restaurant at Eisenhower and Palm, and the Garrison Bight Marina.

Gender neutrality existed in Key West in the 1940’s and 1950’s. Women and men treated equally. The Navy  had an ax to grind with B-girls, prostitutes, and gays alike.

I have written many times re bars and clubs closed because of B-girls and prostitutes. Now, one for homosexual men. The Navy was involved as with the ladies. The Navy did not consider it healthy for sailors to hang out with gay men.

The bar was the Duval Club on Greene Street. Also referred to as the Silver Slipper.

The bar was declared “off limits” by the Navy.

The bar in 1958 became Captain Tony’s. As far as I am aware, Tony Tarracino was not part of that related.

Amazing how things change! Today gaiety not even a consideration. Key West has a lesbian Mayor. A homosexual is running for President of the United States.

The new Farmers Market opens today from 10 to 2 at the Truman Waterfront. I hope it is a success. Even I enjoy a farmers market! If it fails, it will be because of the location.

Three important war events occurred on August 1, though in different years.

In 1914, World War I erupted. Twenty million soldiers and civilians died.

In 1943, Lt. John Kennedy’s PT-109 was sunk. Two of the crew killed immediately. Eleven survived. Many with serious injuries. Kennedy was instrumental in saving them.

In 1944, the Warsaw Revolt began.

A new term in the making. Monday, Burger King will introduce its Impossible Whopper. Everywhere in the U.S.

Its significance is that it is plant based. A plant based protein. They grow the “meat.” The patty meatless.

Supposed to taste like a regular Whopper.

The cost of the Impossible Whopper $5.95. One dollar more than the regular Whopper. Both will be available for sale.

The President speaks again tonight at a rally in Cincinnati. His first rally since the “Send her back” cry arose on July 17 in North Carolina.

Media reports Trump does not want to hear the words. If they occur, he supposedly will speak out against them.

Lets see what happens.

I left last night’s Democratic Presidential Debate for last.

Better than the first. The participants probably more comfortable.

Most beat up Obama and Biden. Biden, ok. Obama?

Seemed like everyone was after Biden. Understandable. He was under a must have a good evening. Not quite. He did scrape by, however. A week or two from now, it will make no difference.

One of them will run against Trump. It was forgotten last night. They were after Biden.

Issues involved the splitting of hairs on legislation and activities that occurred years in the past. The best they could do in attacking Biden.

I must be frank. I was all for Biden before the debates. Now, I am not certain. His responses in most instances slow. Must be more volatile. Destroy the enemy! They were all his enemy last night.

I have come to the conclusion I do not consider Kamala Harris Presidential material. She took down Biden in the first debate. Hit him hard last night, but nowhere as she did in the first. She threw a lot of punches. Landed few.

Her attitude leaves much to be desired. She is all over the place. Talks too much. Too emotional. Seems to lose it during her responses. Reminds me of Trump. Not as volatile. Never the less so.

Cory Booker. Needs maturing. His attacks on Biden more than too much, more than a step too far.

Where was racism? It should have been discussed and explored at length after what has arisen in the past 2 weeks.

Again the enemy was Trump, not Biden. They could have hit Biden a bit and then crushed Trump.

The infighting plays into Republican hands. Yet the infighting was that which provoked much of the evening.

I understand it is early to project who will come out on top. However let me stick my head out. Not hard. At this time I see Biden, Sanders and Warren leading the pack. One will be the Democratic candidate..

Enjoy your day!

The simplicity of it all.

I am not computer literate. Nor mechanically inclined. A generational thing.

I had computer problems yesterday. My mouse was not working properly. Off and on. Mostly off.

I operate with a big screen attached to my lap top. Easier to see in my old age.

Telephoned computer guru Tim Reynolds this morning. He now lives in the Tampa area. Change the battery, he said. I did. It works. I did not know the mouse operated on a battery.

Oh, well.

Now to today.

Another Harry Truman story. One not well known. Like the shot of Old Grand I wrote about recently. This one involves Truman and a donkey. It also involves things that could happen to a President in Truman’s days, but would not today.

For credibility purposes, be advised that this story is one told by Truman’s grandson Clifton Truman Daniel.

Truman was on one of his Key  West trips. He liked to swim. Tried to every day. Generally in the late afternoon. Prior to his nap.

In those days, there was no natural beach near the Little White House. To accommodate the President, Navy engineers had sand trucked in. A small beach was made. A little cabana constructed, also. A place where Truman could change into his trunks.

One morning, Truman walked out with his trunks and towel over his arm. Threw open the door to the cabana and got the shock of his life. Standing in the Presidential changing room was a donkey. Adding insult to injury, the donkey was braying at Truman. A further insult. The donkey had answered the call of nature so the atmosphere in the cabana was less than pleasing.

Truman stood stunned for a few seconds, then burst out laughing. Recall he had grown up a farmer so he did not feel threatened.

The base commander was not amused. He initiated a search for those responsible. Turned out to be a couple of reporters who had gotten a little tipsy in town the night before. Came upon the donkey. Bought it. Smuggled it onto the base in the back of a taxi.

Never could happen today. Presidential security back then not as it is today. Secret Service and Navy personnel would have ascertained what the reporters were up to at the gate Most certainly before arriving at the cabana.

Truman was the President. Certain safety measures were taken. The donkey was x-rayed, given the once over by bomb sniffing dogs, and then sent to an underground holding facility in the Rockies. No one remains today who knows what happened to the donkey afterwards.

Truman’s reaction to the prank says a lot about him and Key West. They were ideally suited to each other. Unpretentious and possessed with a sense of humor.

Key West ws the one and only place grandson Clifton reported where “Grandpa could be himself, let his hair down, wear a loud Hawaiian shirt or even grow a beard (which he started but but never finished).” He had “found the perfect haven from the pressures and posturing of a hectic world.”

Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou last night. Precisely in the middle of the Democratic debate. I caught the beginning and the end. My favorite tale concerned Ernest Hemingway and Mt. Kilimanjaro.

Hemingway wrote a short story The Snows of Kilimanjaro which won him a Pulitzer Prize. Though familiar with Africa from prior visits, he had neither seen nor climbed Kilimanjaro.

His second African trip interesting though almost a disaster. It was 1952. Travel sometimes by local plane. A 4 seater or the like.

Hemingway and his wife were on such a flight. The plane crashed. Hemingway suffered some burns and cracked ribs. Never one to sit, he opted to take another plane the next day. This one exploded on take off. Hemingway hurt big time.

His wife was able to get out of the burning plane through a window. Hemingway was not. He butted his head against the door and it opened and he was out. His injuries significant, however. A fractured skull, severe burns, a dislocated shoulder, 2 cracked discs, a ruptured liver, and ruptures to both kidneys.

A tough guy. Lived to hunt, fish, and write another day.

Watched what I could of the debate last night. Better than the first. Excellent questions. Little if any gotcha moments attempted. They all looked good in varying degrees. I suspect only Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren will survive last night’s group.

Tonight the balance of the debate. Interested in how Joe Biden will come over.

On this day in 1975, Jimmy Hoffa disappeared. Never seen again. Many suspect he is buried beneath the concrete of a New Jersey highway.

Several months later, Key West Fire Chief Bum Farto disappeared. He had been convicted of narcotic dealing and was awaiting sentencing.

Farto’s disappearance a Key West “happening” to this date. A money maker for some. Tee shirts for sale bearing…..Where are you Bum Farto?

Trump will go down as the worst President in history. Unquestionably.

He does little if anything correctly.

He has us in a tariff war with China. One that never should have been. I recall his words during the campaign: “I know tariff wars!…..Tariff Wars are good!…..I win tariff wars!”

He has done a masterful job with China. As with Iran, he is in one that he does not know how to get out. The Chinese outfox him at every turn. They refuse to submit to his bullying.

U.S. representatives have been meeting in Shanghai for 2 days. Talks over. No resolution. Further talks scheduled for September.

Before the meeting had concluded, Trump announced the talks were going well, there would be an agreement. The agreement could only come if it was one Trump wanted and he was confident it would be his way.

The talks failed. Trump now says such the worst outcome for China. China should stop stalling. Claims China started the trade war.

The President is an ass. He knows not what he does. China is an equal to the U.S. in every regard. Militarily, financially, etc. China is also the U.S.’s bank. We owe China $1.3 trillion. Borrow from China on a frequent basis. Never pay back.

What happens if China really gets pissed and cuts off the loans? Even worse, suppose China starts dumping its U.S. Treasuries on the market?

An economic crisis without proportion. U. S. would go bust. Then most of the world.

A bad situation. China will not give in. Not the Asian way.

No one wins a trade war. China will go to a starvation diet and drinking water out of the streets before it succumbs. China will break the U.S.’s back as its is being broken.

Enjoy your day!

A week ago, I wrote that suddenly there were some new massage parlors in Key West. I had never seen many. They all had the same name.

I observed 4 in different parts of Key West. All hidden/secluded a bit. One had to specifically be seeking a parlor out in order to find it. I was seeking after I observed the first one.

For professional purposes only, of course.

This morning I came across an interesting article on the internet. The first took me to several others. Massage parlors are on the rise in the U.S.! Especially Asian ones.

Actually human trafficking. The money good. For the owners, not the girls. It is estimated there are presently 9,000 illicit massage parlors. The take $2.5 billion a year.

Recall Robert Kraft, owner of the New England Patriots. He was arrested for allegedly patronizing one. His case still pending.

The influx is especially great in Southern Florida.

Those arrested include men and women. The ladies the prostitutes. They generally plead guilty to prostitution. The men operators. They walk or plead to some bullshit charge.

The massage parlors are not independent operators. They are part of a conglomeration of parlors. Each one a subsidiary. A network of them. Ownership so intertwined it is difficult to ascertain actual ownership. All limited liability. A way to hide the names of investors. Most of the corporations formed through accounting offices.

Again ownership difficult, if not impossible, to trace. That is why the girls plead to prostitution and the men walk.

Money laundering suspected as the primary reason for the parlors and the method by which they are structured. Most international. Similar in set up to international drug cartels.

The legal set up makes it next to impossible for authorities to discover those actually responsible.

If there is a raid, the parlor shuts down for a day. The ladies moved elsewhere. The business reincorporated under a new name.

The massage parlors advertise. In modern day fashion. Over the internet. The site called Rubmaps. Rubmaps.com. Opening page introduction: Finally A Happy Ending Massage.

Lets localize the topic again. Check Rubmaps. You will find massage parlors of the type described in Key West and Big Pine. Maps for location purposes, recommendations, etc. Photos also of the inside of a particular parlor. Magnificent! Well done!

The tab $200. A customer can receive a massage and then the special attention required. Or go straight to the special attention item. Tipping appreciated, but not required.

It will be interesting to see what local authorities do with the parlors. Convictions of the real culprits next to impossible. Close one down today and another under a different ownership will open the next day. A lot of work for police and State Attorneys with no appreciable result.

On the other hand, if nothing is done the Asian massage parlors will spread like a cancer. Does Key West and the lower Keys really want this? I appreciate that our community has a risque reputation. There has to be a line, however. The strip/gentlemen’s clubs together with tourists meeting up for a 24 hour affair should be enough.

Now my yesterday.

I now wear 24 hours a day a chain around my neck with a small push button at the end. If I fall, have some sort of attack, I merely press the button and help is on its way in 15 seconds. Or so it is advertised.

I found out yesterday how thorough and how swift.

My alert system is through Bay Alarm Medical. After yesterday, I have to swear by them.

I accidentally pressed the button while dressing. A box in my bedroom began shouting ALERT. I shouted back a mistake. Within 10 seconds, a woman was on the phone. She wanted to know if I was ok, identify myself, etc. I assured her I was fine and I had hit the button by mistake. I don’t think she believed me. She kept talking and asking me questions. Ten minutes later while driving down the Boulevard, the Key West Police called asking how I was, if I needed rescue, etc. I told the same story again. A mistake.

I was in Aqua for Dueling Bartenders 10 minutes later. Over the period of the next half hour, I received one more call from the local police and 5 from the Bay Alarm Medical out of Utah. Different persons each time. Each time I told the story again….I made a mistake!

No question, they wanted to be sure. Left me comfortable. Gave me confidence. The system obviously is a good one. Responds! I know it will be there if I am ever really in need.

My day began earlier with a manicure and pedicure by Tammy. The service and Tammy always pleasant.

Then to Dr. Norris’s office for an appointment. He was running 2 hours late. Took me 3 hours before I got out.

I still have to be careful. Watch for this falling backward thing. Feel it every day. I am cautious each time I get off a chair, out of bed, or move swiftly. Norris is sending me to a neurologist.

I recall a time when I did not see a doctor for years. Now, an integral part of my life.

Besides the medical alert people, I heard Terri White. She was guest performer last night. Joined Rich Dery.

Donna and Mary came in.

Afterwards Mary and I went to La Trattoria for dinner. Ran into Elaine, a friend from the Chart Room. Pleasant Tiffany bartending.

The storm I mentioned yesterday. The one over the Lesser Antilles. Had just begun to form. Might be a hurricane at some point. Key West could be in trouble.

This morning’s news tells us the rain storm broke up. The rain would follow a path northeast of the U.S., except for a small portion which would brush eastern Florida.

Another shooting. This one in Los Angeles. At a Gilroy Garlic Festival. Three dead, several wounded. One of the dead a six year old.

The Los Angeles Times titled an article re the shootings “Killings Part of a Sick American Tradition.”

They are. We have to get the monkey off our backs. I blame the NRA and the Republican Party. The Republicans because they blindly followed the NRA as today they do Trump.

The Democratic Presidential Debate tonight 8-10. My blog talk radio show in the middle at 9. Can’t win.

I will be watching the debate before and after. Those who will be watching my show, I thank you in advance. To those who cannot, remember the show is archived immediately and can be heard 24 hours a day.

My blog show Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou will explore topics of interest. I rant and rave. Especially Trump issues. Join me for a half hour of interesting and sometimes humorous chatter. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou.

Enjoy your day!

Irma marked us for life. Such is obvious from my words since and the comments of other Key Westers. Once was enough, hopefully not again.

The problem is every developing storm immediately becomes one for concern. Will it happen again?

There is a storm developing. It has been on some news shows the past 2 days. A “tropical disturbance.” Not even worthy of being labeled a tropical storm.

Presently over the lower Antilles. Big time showers. Described as “drenching.” The area it covers is massive. Which is the main reason I am concerned.

Its path is over Cuba and Puerto Rico. Then up through Florida. Through the Keys. If it deviates, it could hit first at Miami.

Should the present path continues, we would be more aware of where it is and what it is by the late weekend.

The odds are the rain and winds will run out before the disturbance even hits Cuba. Then concern will have been for naught. Or, it may increase in power but turn northwesterly which would take it away from the lower Keys.

Bad things stick in a person’s mind forever.

Anna is back from her one month Poland trip. Which means my house is clean clean once again. Anna was over yesterday morning and did the necessary. She returned none too soon. The house’s condition was getting to me.

Yesterday, a typical warm heavy humidity day. I say such with humor. The humidity is only beginning. August and September the worst months are yet ahead.

Picked up Mary at 3 and we headed for a breakfast/lunch at Harpoon Harry’s. Good food!

Tonight Dueling Bartenders at Aqua. A special reason for going tonight. Terri White is singing!

The new Farmers Market is open. At the Truman Waterfront. Thursdays from 10-2.

“Men are crowding nail salons this summer.” So reported Ray A. Smith in a recent Wall Street Journal article.

Attributed to men’s footwear companies pushing sandals. Companies like Gucci, Valentino, and Rich Owens.

It is reported even LeBron James is getting pedicures.

I view what has come with a singular thought. The world has finally caught up with me. I have been getting pedicures and manicures for 40 years. In fact, I am scheduled for both at noon with Tammy.

Another lesson to be learned from history. Hitler became head of the Nazi Party this day in 1921. It thereafter took him roughly 15 years to gain real power.

Trump has accomplished it in 2 1/2 years.

Beware!

Trump announced his appointment of Republican Texas Congressman Jim Ratcliffe to be his new Director of National Intelligence. He will be replacing Dan Coats. Coats a respected and knowledgeable public official. Ratcliffe not in the same league.

Coats and Trump have not been getting along for many months. Trump either does not take Coats advice or totally ignores Coates when making an intelligence decision.

Ratcliffe’s primary support his questioning of Mueller this past week at one of the Congressional hearings. Trump saw him. Thought he was terrific. I thought he was an ass. Interesting.

Ratliffe will be blindly loyal to Trump. A yes man. He will not speak truth to power as Coats did.

One thing that can be said for Trump is he is consistent. He attacks everyone. Even those who have stood with him. He shows no partiality.

Trump knocks others by spewing filth. No other way to describe what comes out of his mouth. His most recent victim Congressman Elijah Cummings. Cummings is African American. Has been a U.S. Congressman for more than 30 years. He has the distinction of being one of the blacks during the Civil Rights movement in the 1960’s who walked across a bridge to be clubbed by police on horseback.

Cummings is like John McCain. What can be said bad about him?

Trump has found a way. He attacked Baltimore. Part of Baltimore is represented by Cummings.

Trump described Baltimore as a “disgusting, rat and rodent infested mess.”

I read somewhere this morning an apt observation about Trump’s comments: “Better to have a few rats than be one!”

New York’s Jonathan Chait finds it difficult to understand how a President can disparage parts of his own country. He says it is “…..unique in American history.”

Which brings me to Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner.

Kushner’s companies are landlords of several Baltimore area housing projects. Housing violations and mismanagement activities numerous. Kushner has been described as a “slum landlord.” In the year 2017 alone, Baltimore County fined the Kushner companies for more than 200 code violations.

Word has it Trump picked up the rodent infested, etc. purported situation from a FOX commentator this past week. I am willing to bet he did not know of his son-in-law’s problems in Baltimore County.

Enjoy your day!

Saturday night in Key West can be rambunctious or quiet. Whatever one wants. It’s all here.

I opted for quiet last night. The outside bar at La Te Da. Sat in my usual corner seat. An excellent place from which to observe tourists. All happy. Communicating with each other. Everyday problems left back home. The way it should be when on vacation.

There is a slave cemetery in Key West. The only slave cemetery in the U.S.

In 1860, slavery was a violation of International Law. A U.S. vessel stopped a slave ship. In effect thereby saving its occupants from a life of servitude. The American vessel delivered 1,432 slaves to the U.S. Marshall in Key West.

Two hundred ninety four died. They were buried at what is now Higgs Beach. The years passed. The African cemetery was forgotten. People lay in the sun, children played, dogs jumped about, while beneath them lie the remains of the 294.

The remaining 1,138 were shipped to Liberia, a West African country.

Renewed awareness of the cemetery occurred in 2002. The City/County were reconnoitering the area. A dog play area and the beach were being transfixed. If memory proves correct, a significant part of the new dog run would lie over the dead.

Ground penetrating radar discovered/verified the remains. So much for the dog park there.

Studies were made. Locals became involved. The area properly recognized. Today a National Register of Historic Places site.

Also now the place where a yearly ceremony takes place recognizing those buried at the beach. An African king generally part of the assemblage.

A plaque of sorts marks the spot. Relatively small. Reads: The African Cemetery at Higgs Beach.

Recall the movie Top Gun? The 1986 hit starring Tom Cruise and Kelly McGillis. It is being remade. The sequel will bring movie goers up to date re the lives of those in the original.

Tom Cruise will return. Probably as an Admiral!

Sadly, no Kelly McGillis. She has not been asked to update her role. Another star has been selected.

For many years, Kelly McGillis was an integral part of Key West. In between making movies, she and her husband owned 3 restaurants. Kelly’s the most popular of the 3.

She was part of the Key West social life. I attended several parties she was at. Always pleasant and friendly. A sense of humor. Absolutely gorgeous.

Suddenly Kelly dropped out of everything. The restaurants were sold. She made no more movies. Moved to a Pennsylvania farm, if my memory proves correct.

Kelly returns to Key West at least once a year. She is active in the women’s tag football league. A world recognized speaker at women’s rights events.

Nothing is forever. Many come, stay a while, and then move on. Whatever, Key West was fortunate to have had Kelly McGillis as one of its own. She is fondly remembered.

Florida keeps growing. Presently the third most populous State. Just behind California and Texas.

It is estimated Florida will have 22 million residents by 2022.

The State is growing at the rate of 330,000 per year. Breaks down to 900 a day.

A new Trump book to hit the stands tuesday. Unhinged: An Insider’s Account of the White House.” Manigault Newman the author. Fired unceremoniously from the White House in December.

Anti-Trump, of course.

A portion of her book involves the now famous August 17, 2017 meeting in Trump Towers where the Russians were purportedly to share some Hillary Clinton dirt.

Following the meeting, Donald Jr. sent some e-mails containing information re the meeting on Twitter.

She writes how the President as a result referred to his son Donald Jr. as a “fuckup.” The full sentence: “He is such a fuck up.” Also, “He screwed up again, but this time he’s screwing us all, big time!”

Newman visualizes Trump as an ignorant narcissist who routinely spews racially charged and sexist language.

I close with a concern. Can be described as an admonition also.

Trump will win in 2020 if the Democrats continue attacking him. The nation knows he is a “fuckup.” Democrats responding to his actions and charges only keep Trump’s name in the public eye on a daily basis.

The people want to hear about their kitchen table problems. As hard as it may be, the Democrats better start talking medical assistance for all, infrastructure, college loans, free college educations, etc. Call it whatever you like, even socialism. These are the concerns of the American people.

Enjoy your Sunday!

Recently a couple from the Keys stood at the top of Africa’s Mt. Kilimanjaro. A top of the world location. Height 19,341 feet.

The couple Doug Mader and Gerry Dietelm. Live on Big Pine. Own and operate the Marathon Veterinary Hospital.

Adventurers. They opted to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro. The African mountain made famous by Ernest Hemingway.

Not an easy trip. Six days to reach the top, 2 to come down. The last day of the climb the worst. Air extremely thin at 19,000 plus feet. Their guides would only permit them to spend 20 minutes on top.

As Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin did their thing by leaving an American flag on the moon, the Marathon veterinarians left a Conch Republic flag on top of Kilimanjaro.

An adventure. The ascent the trip of a lifetime.

Ernest Hemingway is of Kilimanjaro fame also. However, he never climbed Kilimanjaro.

Hemingway knew Africa from his 2 trips there. The first in 1933. A safari and big game hunting. Also provided him with numerous African experiences which later became part of his writings.

The Snows of Kilimanjaro one of those writings. A short story. He received many awards for it. The short story also became a Hollywood movie starring Gregory Peck and Ava Gardner.

Hemingway’s second trip was somewhat of a disaster. He escaped lucky to be alive.

He and his wife were on a local flight. The plane crashed. Both survived with burns and cracked ribs.

The next day, they opted to leave immediately and took another plane. The plane exploded on takeoff.. Hemingway’s wife got out through a window. Hemingway had a more difficult time. He butted his head against the plane’s door to get it open. He suffered a fractured skull, severe burns, a dislocated shoulder, 2 cracked discs, a ruptured liver and ruptured kidneys.

Never having climbed to the top, what then was Hemingway’s motivation to write The Snows of Kilimanjaro? A photo of a frozen leopard near Kilimanjaro’s summit. The leopard’s dried carcass formed the introduction to his short story.

Mini lobster season has come and gone. Only 2 days. As usual, thousands of tourists participated. Authorities reported this year’s event to have been one of the safest and with few violations occurring.

Only 1 injury. Of consequence. A diver’s leg and propeller came into contact. The diver was air lifted to a Miami hospital.

Each year’s event should be as injury and violations free.

History does repeat itself in one fashion or another.

Recall the ocean liner St. Louis. In 1939, 937 Jews attempted to escape Hitler’s influence in Germany. Atrocities were already occurring. The writing was on the wall. They would only get worse. The holocaust had already begun.

Their anticipated port Cuba. Cuba would not accept them, however.

The voyage became known as the “Voyage of the Damned.” The St. Louis went to several other ports. The same thing. Rejected!

The ship was forced to return to Germany. Eventually one third would die in Nazi concentration camps.

A similar earlier event occurred. This one involving prostitutes. The Civil War  ongoing. Prostitution became a major problem. Recall in the early 1860’s, there was no cure for gonorrhea or syphilis. Most died.

The problem was in Nashville.

Nashville was a Union Army base. It had its red light district Smokey Row. Early in the War, 200 prostitutes worked Smokey Row. Union Army officials needed to confront the growing sexual disease problem.

They assembled 100 of the ladies and put them on a boat. The Idaho. The intent was to transport them to another city. No city was foolish, however. None wanted them. The Idaho was refused permission to drop the women off.

During the trip, the Idaho acquired a second name. Floating Whore House.

The Idaho was forced to return to Nashville where the ladies disembarked and returned to their former lives on Smokey Row.

The Union Army significantly increased the number of men stationed in Nashville. Business goes where business is. The original 200 ladies turned into 1,500.

Everyone happy. That is, the soldiers and prostitutes. Disease also.

Sexually transmitted disease became rampant. A crisis developed. Not much could be done. No shot of penicillin back then. Many died. So many, that it was rumored more Union soldiers died on Smokey Row than in all the rest of the Civil War. Not true, of course. But such reflects how bad it was.

Nashville and the Union Army came up with a plan. Hopefully, a solution. They would legalize prostitution. That way prostitution could be controlled. Ladies getting periodic health inspections one of the approaches.

It worked! Sexual disease numbers dropped dramatically.

Man does not learn, however. At the end of the War, the legalization was removed. Rampant sexual disease returned. Not as great a during the War. Many soldiers had been moved elsewhere. Many ladies voluntarily left because there was not enough business.

Enjoy your day!

I got the word last night. Smoking will be prohibited in the Chart Room as of August 1.

A disgrace. A sad decision.

The determination does not affect me. I had to give up smoking 8 weeks ago. My last cigarette has been smoked. But to those who enjoy a cigarette with a drink, my heart goes out.

I am not sure why. I suspect someone might have complained about the smoking. Makes me laugh. A tourist comes in one or two times. The local regulars there almost every night. A tourist is offended by the smoking. He or she probably complained to management.

Management assumes it made a wise decision. I do not.

Business will suffer. An inevitable result.

I had a similar experience. Many months ago at Berlin’s. I went for dinner once a week. Pricey, but good. Also permitted smoking. They had been grandfathered in before the law prohibiting smoking where food was served had passed.

Berlin’s had the best filtration system. Even cigar smoking permitted. Berlin’s had been a cigar smoking bar for years. Affected no one. Impossible to smell smoke from any source. Clothes smelled clean at the end of the evening.

A group bought the place. Immediately outlawed smoking. I told the bartenders I would not be returning. My choice as the customer, the one spending the money.

I stayed away a month. Missed the ambiance of the place, the good food, and Bria Ansara singing on the weekend.

Parking was always free. The night I returned, the attendant asked for $20. I asked if he was crazy. I had been doing business there for years. He knew me. Nothing he could do. It was the new rule.

That did it! I left. First no smoking, now $20 to park. Berlin’s was not the only good restaurant in Key West.

I later was speaking to some one who worked at Berlin’s. He told me in the first 2 months of the no smoking rule, bartender tips were down 30 percent.

Which brings me back to the Chart Room. I shall continue going. Even if I were still smoking and offended. The history of the room calls me to it. The place unique.

The Chart Room however will lose business. No question about it.

My good friend David Wolkowsky has been dead less than a year. David conceived of and constructed the Pier House. It opened in 1967. The Chart Room 1968.

Locals at the time told David the hotel needed a place to drink. David agreed. A quick fix. Took out a first floor bedroom, added a mahogany bar, began serving alcohol.

In 1967, no one was famous and drinking was a sport. Soon  certain locals were nightly customers or working there. Besides David, Mel Fisher, Jim Croce, Che Kohn,       , Bob Marley, Mr. Bojangles, Panamah Pete, Tennessee Williams and Geoff Chapman. In later years, add Louis Petrone.

My too late admonition to the Pier House: If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

The ghosts of the Chart Room will gather and share tears the evening of August 1. An important part of Key West, steeped in history, diminished. No smoking! Wow!

Enjoy your day!

The explosion that was to be Mueller’s testimony did not occur. More of a firecracker, less than a bomb.

My random thoughts.

Trump will not be impeached. Yesterday failed to change public opinion sufficiently.

The failure lies with Mueller. I respect the man and his patriotic history. However, he was not the person for this job. One reason his age. He may have been sharp 2 years ago. However yesterday his 74 years were obvious. He is old and tired. His time has passed.

I believe such is the reason he did not want to testify beyond his Report. He was aware of his diminished capabilities.

True, the  necessary information to impeach is in the Report. In limited fashion only. Mueller failed to take the final step and emphatically state without reservation and without the shackles of Department of Justice policy what he thought.

His testimony failed to mobilize the Nation to impeach.

Democratic questioning as good as possible. I was impressed. Not the usual ranting and raving. The questioning by both Committees was well planned. The Democrats were prepared.

Contrasted with the Republicans who failed to deviate from form. Accusatory. Blamed Mueller for everything short of abolishing Christmas. Trump wannabes.

Bottom line. Mueller’s Report and testimony helps the Democrats a bit. In a close election might be the deciding factor.

The Justice Department’s policy of not indicting a sitting President for a federal crime should be removed from Justice’s role of non-permissible actions. It is as helpful to democratic governing as the Electoral College.

The war goes on. Democrats if wise will immediately go to everyday issues and stress them. Medicare for all, college debt, inhumanity at the border, etc. Those are the issues that will decide the winner in the next Presidential election.

The sun rose this morning. It will rise every morning. Life goes on. Enjoy your day!