Today a most important one in U.S. history. History will record it as such.

Upon the testimony of Robert Mueller the fate of our Nation rests. He dropped the ball in his Report. He left out the final step: Spelling out clearly and simply his conclusion as to whether Trump had committed crimes and should be criminally prosecuted.

Justice Department policy appears to have controlled his decisions. The report as written has no force and effect in law. It is as represented. Merely an opinion grounded in policy.

It is for the Supreme Court to determine if the policy applied. If it did, it gives Trump and subsequent Presidents the power to do what they want. Without control. Unbridled. They would not be responsible even for the most heinous wrongdoing.

In the cases of Clinton v. Jones and U.S. v. Nixon, an issue was whether a President could be arrested. The Justice Department policy was not involved. In each case, the Court ruled no person is above the law.

Permit a scenario to help state my position.

The President and his wife are in their bedroom in the White House. The White House is a federal building. Crimes are not permitted in a federal building.

A shot is heard. The Secret Service and other guards rush into the bedroom. Melania is on the floor dead with a bullet hole in her head. Trump is standing over her with a smoking gun in hand.

Should Trump be permitted to avoid prosecution at the time because of the Justice Department’s policy. Of course not. “No one is above the law.”

Respectfully, Mueller has short changed the American public. A war hero, civil servant most of his career, an FBI Director, one respected for his by the book approach to law, a rules following person, all will be pushed into the rear should Mueller fail to speak forth today. History will remember him as the one who permitted Trump to avoid prosecution for various wrongdoings.

I would hope Mueller does the correct thing today. I doubt he will. The Nation will suffer.

There is a comparison to be made. Both Mueller and Trump are arrogant. They believe they are right and cannot be told otherwise. Some what a my way or the highway approach. This mental superiority is not commendable in either.

I normally end with “Enjoy your day!” Don’t know if it is possible today. For many it will depend how forthcoming Mueller is in his testimony.

A criminal may very well escape the clutches of the law in the final analysis.

Reaction to my 7/20/19 blog overwhelming. Truman starting his day with a shot of Old-Grand Dad in his orange juice.

Not wanting one of our greatest Presidents perceived as an alcoholic, I did a little research as to why he began his day with a shot of bourbon.

Truman had heart problems. His physician was concerned about blood clotting in already clogged arteries.

Truman was President 1945-1953. Pharmaceutical blood thinners not yet available.

Alcohol is a blood thinner. Limited consumption, of course. One to two drinks a day.

His physician recommended a shot in the morning and a drink or two in the evening if Truman was so inclined. He was. However historians note Truman was not a heavy drinker. The evening bourbon was mixed with water. A high ball. One drink generally lasted him a whole evening.

Truman loved Kentucky bourbon. Kentucky produces 95 percent of the bourbon consumed world wide today.

The first U.S. approved blood thinner came out 2 years after Truman left office. Warfarin. It was sold under the brand name Coumadin. In 1948, warfarin was commercially sold as rat poison. Interesting how a product can go from bad to good. In short time, also.

Due to the shot of bourbon in the morning, historians refer to Truman’s time in the White House as “bourbon soaked.” I assume written with tongue in cheek.

Truman’s physician had recommended he start the day with a shot of bourbon long before he became President. David McCullough was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for his writing of the biography Truman He said the morning shot of bourbon was good for him and a determining factor in Truman’s good health lasting into his 60’s.

In researching the Truman drinking story, I came across several articles re the drinking habits of former Presidents. Many drank! To excess! I sense I will be writing stories about some in the future.

Last night, another good one! I emphasize the quality of the evening as the time I was sick sucked. Day and night.

Aqua first for Dueling Bartenders. Rick Dery hosting. The great Bobby Nesbitt guesting. What a combination! Solo or duo, they did themselves proud! An outstanding evening. The crowd joined in the singing with most of the tunes. Old favorites. My kind of music.

Nesbitt’s rendition of Oh, What A Beautiful Day outstanding!

Liz has a companion Mary. Not my Mary. Mary was at Aqua last night. Chatted with her.

I have not seen Liz in a while. Thought she might have gone north for the summer. She is still here. Mary thought she would be coming in. I was excited. Always liked Liz.

Liz never showed. Mary left.

Jean Thornton stopped in. Leaves today for her Birmingham home. In 2 weeks, she and Joe are off to Europe for a month.

Jean was wearing a lovely dress. Wrapped around her neck was a large bright green boa.

Vino’s has been having monday night parties this summer. Each different. All require a costume of sorts. Last night’s title was something like Masquerade Features. The boa did it for Jean!

I admire Jean for many things. One is she misses nothing in Key West. Attends just about every function.

Old time jitterbugging music part of the program. Jean leaned over and said, “Louis, we can dance.” She was referring to 2 years ago when I was one of several Irma refugees staying at her Birmingham home. Our day began at 5 for cocktails. Went to 3-4 in the morning. Hard to take!

One evening around 2, the music was yesterday’s jitterbugging. Jean and I danced. I had not jitterbugged since college. We had a ball!

Someone videoed us. The next day our performance was on social media sites all over the world. My friend Anna e-mailed me from Italy…..Here I was worried about you and you are having a good time!

Mary and I had dinner at the bar at Antonia’s. I have been a customer at Antonia’s off and on for 25 years. The food and ambiance have never changed.

Donna and Terri came in. Sat next to us. Both beaming. Happy. Terri is in remission. Donna and one of her granddaughters are going on a week long Caribbean cruise soon. Terri passed. She says she is not ready for a big boat.

This will be the third time that Donna has gone away and Terri not. She is fearful of trips. The separation is good, however. Terri is learning how to live a full life without her wife.

Two interesting developments that have occurred in the U.S. the past few days. Both dangerous events. Each however shows American resiliency.

Somewhere in Tennessee last week, ICE officers came to take an immigrant without papers and deport him. His 12 year old son was with him.

As their van pulled into the driveway of their home, ICE fell upon the van. Eventually the man they sought got out.

No one was arrested or taken away. Why? Because the neighbors came out and surrounded the van and ICE. They in effect formed a human chain.

I worry. Today, no violence. However such confrontations a tinderbox. One spark and fighting. Which could over a few days grow into serious confrontations nation wide.

The other event involved the new young New York Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortex. Outspoken. One of the “squad” Trump keeps attacking. One of the ones his people say should go back from where they came.

Two Louisiana police officers were involved in posting on Facebook the suggestion that Alexandria should be shot. The police officer who did the posting referred to Alexandria as “vile” and one who “needs a round.”

Another officer was with him. He agreed with the post.

Both have been fired.

Alexandria commented re the situation: “The President is sowing violence. He’s creating an environment where people can get hurt…..”

A Washington D.C Capitol Police officer said that threats against Congressional persons are on the rise. The officer said such complaints are rising dramatically and must be of concern.

Tonight Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. Join me at 9 my time. Listen to me rant and rave about events impacting our lives today. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou.

Enjoy your day!

Another terrific night out! Doing good. Two out of the last 3.

It takes time to adjust after you have not been out and about because of illness. I have to be frank however, no drinking and smoking no fun. Eight weeks now. Difficult! But when it comes to my health, I do what I am told. Even though I hate it!

The game plan last night was for Jean and I to meet and then go to dinner. She returns home to Birmingham tuesday. I will not see her again till February, unless there is a hurricane and I have to leave town.

Jean talking with Sheila when I arrived. We chatted a while. Then 2 seats opened at the bar. I told Jean and Sheila to sit. I would get a bar stool from across the room. As I started to  lift it, Paco showed up to help. Never met him before. Kind of him.

Paco and his wife Michelle are from Avon, Ohio. Fifteen miles outside Cleveland. Paco a high school teacher. Michelle a physician. Her specialty psychiatry. She is on the staff of Case Western University.

John asked them why did they select Key West for their vacation. No particular reason. Whatever, they were having a wonderful time!

I look forward to chatting with them again before they leave Key West.

Neil came in and sat next to me. From Georgia. We had met last year. I was disappointed I did not have more time spend with him.

Jean decided on La Trattoria for dinner. I should buy a piece of the place. In recent months, I have been there 2-3 times a week.

The ever charming Tiffany bartending.

As Jean and I sat at the bar, Tiffany exclaimed…..Louis, you are with a different woman every time you come in! Not really. However it was nice of her to say it. At 84, an ego booster.

The season is long over. Key West not a ghost town. However significantly less crowded than in season.

I mention this because La Trattoria was packed last night. Every table. People standing in the bar waiting for their table. A lot of families.

As far as La Trattoria was concerned last night, it was season.

Good news, bad news.

Joe Mazey this year’s Hemingway Look-a-Like. Runner up last year.

Joe has been trying for 8 years to win. He hung in there and finally came up the winner. The winner last night out of 141 contestants.

No one wins the first, second, or third years. It generally takes 8-10. I have a Chart Room friend I run into every year. He has been trying for 26 years.

A new Farmers Market will open August 1. At the Truman Waterfront. Thursdays from 10-2.

I was a frequent visitor to the Farmers Market at Bayview Park which recently closed.

The new owner is Daily-Plan It.

I sense one negative. Won’t kill the business. Will stop me from being a customer, however.

Too far to walk. Need to drive.

Free parking available to just about everyone. Except people like me.

I live in Key West. My car is owned by an out of state person. Key West has residential parking permits. When I went to get one, I was denied. Permits only go to Key West residents. My fact pattern did not qualify me. Ergo, I do not have a parking permit.

I called one of the owners. Asked why? He was very nice. Not his company’s rule. The City’s.

The happening typical of Key West. I am about to complain. Parking is a pain in the ass in Key West. Ask tourists who are paying $4 an hour to park in public lots. With a 4 hour limit. I obviously will not be going. My loss as well as the City’s.

My initial reaction was to call someone at the City and complain. I have done so in the past. To a new member of the City Commission. With an issue each time I thought important. I spelled out my concern out. Was ignored. A lame excuse given. No follow up by the City.

In each instance, I was correct in the final analysis.

The sad news. Michael’s has closed. A tragedy. Michael’s has been one of Key West’s finest dining spots for many years. Owned and operated by the husband and wife team of Melanie and Michael.

Goldie Hawn is rarely seen in a movie these days. Always a bright light, I miss her.

Goldie spent some time in Key West in 1990. Making the film CrissCross. It came out in 1992.

The 50th anniversary of Apollo 11 was saturday. Apollo 11 was mentioned frequently in the film.

I have been running around Key West going on 30 years. When I first arrived, no one even talked about alligators and crocodiles. In the last 10 years, they have become a subject of discussion. Popping up here and there. A large one on the golf course a few years ago. He was difficult to capture.

Two articles of interest re alligators and crocodiles in this morning’s Key West Citizen.

The first a warning. Beware! When the weather is exceptionally warm, there are more hatchings. Means more danger to humans.

Interestingly, the weather also determines the sex. This year will result in more males being born. June was the hottest month ever on record globally. The weather affects gender. Males will be more plentiful.

Another article on a different page. There is a nuclear plant in southwest Florida. It is surrounded by 168 miles of canals. American crocodiles thrive in these canals. Whether the nuclear plant the reason was not discussed.

Several hundred crocodiles call the canals home.

This year an unusually large number being hatched. Hot weather not commented upon. The inference is the nuclear plant might be.

Like the chickens in Key West. alligators and crocodiles are protected species. Cannot be killed. Must be captured and sent to a habitat conducive to their health and well being to live out their lives.

Does not make sense to me in either instance. Kill/eradicate the chickens, alligators and crocodiles.

I mentioned Elgin’s marbles in yesterday’s blog. Did not set forth why called marbles. I did not know.

John Galt has been a blog reader for some time. He commented this morning as to the reason why Elgin’s marbles are so referred to. I share his comment with you: “The pieces taken were carved by the famous architect and sculptor, Phidias. He was a master at the art of carving marble, and all of the pilfered works of art were sculpted from marble. Hence the name, Elgin’s marbles.”

The Fortune Global 500 evaluates corporations world wide based on revenue. It is a status symbol to be listed in Fortune Global.

Since World War II, the U.S. has been #1. Till the most recent listing. China has surpassed the U.S. and is now #1. China had 129 corporations on the recent list whereas the U.S. 121.

Dueling Bartenders tonight.

Enjoy your day!

Earthquakes in the news frequently these days. Some big on the rector scale.

I have experienced earthquakes in New York, California and Italy. Italy the worst. The quake itself hit hard. The aftershocks just as hard. I was concerned.

Greece came to mind recently while recalling the earthquakes I experienced. Athens the perfect place for an earthquake. How would Acropolis and the Parthenon fare? Acropolis the huge hill in the middle of Athens. The Parthenon the top where Greek temples for centuries have stood. Some massive.

I visited Acropolis and the Parthenon on my first trip to Greece 12 years ago. Acropolis is one big hill! I had to rest 3 times on the way up. Heart attack time!

The top of Acropolis is large and flat. Three temples. The largest dedicated to the goddess Athena Parthenos. Athena the Virgin. The temples are 2,460 years old. The tall columns marble, the base limestone.

I could not find any earthquake which might have affected Acropolis and Parthenon. I did come across a story concerning Parthenon’s “marbles.”

Apparently the Turks were in control of Greece in the early 1800’s. An English nobleman Lord Elgin convinced the Turks to let him take some carvings and statues from Parthenon. He wanted to take them to England for viewing in English museums. Three boats were required to carry the carvings and statues.

One boat sunk. It was recovered from the ocean floor 2 years later.

Somehow the statues and carvings recovered became known as Elgin’s Marbles. How and why marbles I do not know.

The recovered statues and carvings ended up in places not agreed to between Elgin and Greece when Elgin was allowed to take them to England. They are scattered throughout Europe. Many can be found in the British Museum in London, the Louvre in Paris, and the National Museum in Denmark.

They continue to be known as Elgin’s Marbles.

Greece wants them back. The countries now having them say no. They represent the fortunes of recovery and have now become ours.

For well over 200 years, Greece has been trying to recover “its Marbles.”

I planned to be on the road again last night. Ending up staying home in a comfortable chair reading. I have yet to finish In the Closet of the Vatican. Concerns present day homosexuality. Shocking! And I am not timid!

The book is 500 plus pages. Most sentences compound and/or complex. Facts galore. Print a bit on the small side.

Like climbing Acropolis. Tiring! If the topic were not so current, I would have given up long ago. The Catholic Church began imposing more stringent rules than normal beginning in the 1950’s while the Cardinals were playing around in the Vatican. Even to today.

I had intended to stop at the finals of the Hemingway Look-a-Like contest last night at Sloppy Joe’s. Obviously I did not make it and do not know who won.

The number of hopefuls are down this year. Last year exceeded 150. This year 135 participating.

Ernest Hemingway’s birthday today. He was born in Oak Ridge, Illinois this day in 1899. He died July 2, 1961 in Ketchum, Idaho.

Hemingway lived in Key West for 11 years. From 1928 to 1939. During that time he wrote the whole or parts of novels and short stories. Interestingly, only one of his writings had a Florida setting. To Have and Have Not.

Many think the Old Man and the Sea had a Florida setting also. Not so. The setting actually in waters off Cuba’s coast.

Keys residents have an affinity for anything having to do with ocean waters. Turtles being one example.

St. Thomas (what a name for a turtle) is a rehabilitated green sea turtle. He was released into the ocean friday.

In October, he was brought to the Turtle Hospital in Marathon. No question, he was sick. His entire body was covered in cauliflower like tumor growths. Such generally caused by a herpes like virus which affects turtles world wide.

The tumors were surgically removed. Recovered, St. Thomas has returned to his natural habitat.

I consider New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof a skillful observer of world events. He is generally correct. Right on!

In yesterday’s column, he wrote that the GOP has turned into a “personality cult.” He mentions “how far the Republican Party has fallen.” He views the GOP as a personality cult of “a hothead who incites a crowd to repeat an ugly chant…..”

He views Republican leaders as splitting hairs where such does not make sense at all. The Party denounces the new Trump chant as “racist,” but not “racism.”

Kristof takes the position the GOP stands now for “nothing.”

A person by the name of Schicklgruber might have been the most evil tyrant in all history. Adolph Hitler’s family name was Schicklgruber. His father Alois changed his name to Alois Hitler January 7, 1877.

There is growing concern that violence awaits.

I have been writing and saying for more than a year that violence could very well result. From Trump’s side, not the Democrat’s.

A recent study indicated violence against the 4 Congresswomen was a possibility. The study indicated 91 percent of Democrats believed so. On the Republican side, 61 percent.

An indication that all concerned should “cool it.” Especially Trump supporters.

The numbers that really concern me are those concerning whether Trump’s change of politics is for the better or worse. Forty nine percent of Republicans say the change is for the better. This really concerns me! How blind can they be? Why cannot they see?

Twenty three percent of Republicans thought it was for the worse. Twenty seven percent saw no change.

Enough for a Sunday morning.

Enjoy your day!

A President who enjoyed a morning shot of Old Grand-Dad? Harry Truman!

Key West. Truman rose at 5:30. His first breakfast consisted of orange juice and a shot of bourbon. Old Grand-Dad. Less frequently, Wild Turkey.

Then his walk along Key West streets.

When he returned to the Little White House, he completed his breakfast. An egg, slice of toast, slice of bacon, and glass of skim milk.

The same sequence in Washington. The orange juice with a shot of Old Grand-Dad upon rising. His walk. Followed by the one egg, a slice of toast, etc.

Sometimes the time of the walk was interrupted. On the occasions he had a full staff early morning breakfast meeting, he would walk in the evening.

Truman unapologetic about his morning drink. And the one or two he had in the evening while playing cards.

One of our greatest Presidents. A man who made major decisions affecting the whole world. Started his day with a shot of Old-Grand.

“Today’s the day!” It was! Finally after 15 years of searching. It was on this day in 1985 that Mel Fisher found the mother lode of the Spanish galleon Atocha.

God bless him, his family, and Key West!

I was out and about everywhere thursday evening.

First the Chart room. Lovely Tammy bartending.

Ran into Jean Thornton and Cori Convertino. First time Jean and I have been together during her present trip. Cori I had not seen in a while. Two interesting people. Intelligent.

After they left, I sat at the bar next to Rich. First time meeting. He is a fourth generation Conch. I was impressed.

He was in the Chart Room to visit Tammy. He knew her from the Bull and Whistle when she bartended there. We agreed she was an unusually nice person. Special.

Then I was off to Aqua to meet Mary.

Mary was late. About 45 minutes.

While I was waiting, one of Aqua’s drag shows began. I have not seen a drag show in 20 years.

While watching, Mary arrived. She had a drink while I watched the first 2 performers. Beauties. Looked liked women. Voices feminine. I was certain both females. Asked Mary each time. Each was a man.

We moved on to the Side Bar. Glad we did. Laurie Thibaud having a drink. Till I got sick, I guested on Laurie’s radio show thursday afternoons. I have yet to return.

Time to eat. La Trattoria.

Tiffany bartending. We have known each other 25 years. Amazing!

Last night it was me and the lesbian wives. I had dinner with Donna and Terri at Hogfish.

Jake the third member of their household. A big dog. Has to be walked every day. Donna has been doing it. Up early. Rush home from work. Whatever.

No more. Terri can now walk Jake. I asked her how she could see to pick up Jake’s poop. She had worked it out. She placed her walking stick tight to the side of his butt. He would not move. When finished, she merely bent down and it was there.

I keep learning from Terri…..The blind can see…..Necessity is the mother of invention.

A few political observations.

The Democratic Presidential candidates are almost as quiet as the Republicans re Trump’s beating up the 4 young Congresswomen of color. People of color make up the largest voting block in the U.S. The Democrats silence is deafening. If they do not speak up now, that voting block will not be there for the Democratic candidate in 2020.

Trump’s campaign war chest overfloweth. His spending for Facebook advertising exceeds the combined spending of the 24 Democratic candidates. Note it is not Trump’s money. He never spends his own. Probably comes from the major corporations and rich persons he has helped with the tax cut and deregulation.

William Crystal is a noted conservative. A black hearted Republican. This time he does not stand with his party’s Presidential candidate Donald Trump.

Crystal said on a talk show the other evening that Trump can lose the popular election by 5 million votes and still win the Presidency because of the electoral college.

He further indicated that it was the way Trump has aimed his campaign. Retain his roughly 40 percent die hards. Add a few more votes in certain states. And he would be reelected even having lost the popular vote by 5 million votes.

Today the biggest of Hemingway Days. The Running of the Bulls, finals of the Hemingway Look-a-Like contest, street band, and street feast. People, people, people.

The Running of the Bulls is at 1. The race begins at Sloppy Joe’s.

Everywhere I have gone in recent months, some persons have their lap tops out. My inquiring mind. What are you doing? Everyone is shopping. At Walmarts! I am then told how easy and much cheaper it is.

I tried Walmarts week. Signed up. Shopped. Order delivered in 2 days. No shipping cost because I spent over $35. Everything I ordered there.

I like the system. Not only because of the dollar savings, but also I do not have to carry heavy items home from Publix. A burden at my age. Several trips back and forth from the car to unload. Up front porch steps. Some bags heavy.

I am beat by the time I have everything in the house. I have to sit for a while before unpacking.

One complaint. I do not know where everything is on the Walmart site. They should have aisles so people eventually know where things are.

The U.S. Corps of Engineers is going to perform an investigation for unexploded artillery shells. Four wars involving the Fort. Civil War, Spanish-American War, World War I and World War II. Over the years an unexploded shell has been found here and there.

The government moves as slowly as molasses. The request for the funding was made it 2008. Only approved now. If anything is found, it will remain a while. Funding applied for all over again with a long wait involved. At least 5 plus years more.

Just like hurricane relief. Funding has to be approved. Then allocated. Two separate steps. Each taking forever. There are Irma and Michael victims still waiting.

I feel better. I can tell by how I am writing. It was work for a while.

Enjoy your day!

Does Trump ever stop? His every move leads to another despotic act. We learn more and more the nature of the man. Evil without ending.

Color forever an issue in the U.S. More intense under Trump.

I always thought black was not a color. Rather the absence of color. Researching a bit this morning to see if I was correct, I learned black is a color. Just as much as other colors.

With tongue in cheek, it could be we are all persons of color. If black is color and white also, each of us qualifies as being a person of color.

So maybe we all will be sent back. Except for the American Indian, we are all either immigrants or the descendants of immigrants.

Humor aside, Trump always goes a step too far. No matter what he does. During the 2016 Clinton campaign it was Lock Her Up. Today with Congresswoman Omar it is Send Her Back.

I fear tomorrow will return to send her to jail again.

Trump’s bigotry is obvious. A person has to be deaf and dumb not to be aware of it. One of the reasons forming the basis for hating/disliking persons of color is that soon persons of color will be the majority of people in the U.S. Whites will take a back seat forever more.

The 2020 Presidential election may be the white man’s “last hurrah.”

More persons of color than whites is soon to be. The Brookings Institute in a recent report stated that next year more than half of the under 18 population would reflect coloreds exceeding whites in the U.S. The report further indicated that within a decade, the under 30 colored population will be the majority.

Many whites fear. Properly so. What goes around, comes around.

The first time it was Lock Her Up. This time Send Her Back. Where does it stop?Will jail actually become the third step in cycle?

I have written and said in the past 2 years that Trump’s ICE is Hitler’s Gestapo of the 1930’s. Trump continues to increase the powers of ICE.

In the next 2 years, will we have reached the point of fearing a knock on the door in the middle of the night?

A scary thought. Not inconceivable.

How much time before such a confrontation? I don’t know, but I fear. A country that can detain immigrants, separate children from parents, allow immigrants to live under inhumane conditions, have drinking water provided to children from toilets, leave children with no change of clothes, no bathing, no tooth brushes, permit them to sleep on a cold concrete floor, etc., has already begun stepping over the line.

What is Trump’s ethnicity?

German and Scotch. I researched it this morning.

There was a time however when the Trumps feared being identified as Germans. They said they were of Scotch ancestry. Trump’s mother Mary Anne MacLeod was born in Scotland. His father Fred in Germany.

Trump even wrote in the Art of the Deal which was published in 1987 that he was of Scottish ancestry. Later he spoke at some big dinner and told everyone he was proud to be a German.

I’m not surprised. I recall his first wife mentioning he kept a book by Hitler on his nightstand. Not Mein Kampf. Another whose title I cannot recall.

Irma is still with us. The hurricane hit September 10, 2017. Just short of 2 years ago.

It was announced yesterday the Marine Removal Debris has approved 76 additional canals to be cleaned. Hurricane debris and sediment removed. Federal dollars involved. The Feds pay and the County oversees the spending of the money.

The U.S. is excited about the 50th anniversary of Apollo 11. Man walking on the moon. Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin.

Key West is having a big party. At the same time Hemingway Days is downtown.

A Lunar Landing Lawn Party will be held saturday night at the complex of the relatively new motels on Northern Boulevard. All kinds of activities followed by an 8 pm showing of First Men starring Ryan Gosling.

Nero keeps getting blamed for having burned Rome. Not so.

Most of Rome was destroyed by fire in 64 A.D. Fallacy tells us Nero had the fire started, watched Rome burn from the palace, and played the fiddle while so doing.

Could not have been. The fire accidentally began. The fiddle had not yet been invented. Nero was not at the palace. Rather 35 miles away in Antiam when the fire broke out.

Good hearted a man however. Nero let the people of Rome use the palace for shelter following the fire.

Nero was a true politician. The Christians were giving him a hard time. He blamed the fire on them. They were arrested, tortured, and executed. Hundreds of them.

Enjoy your day!

There was a time…..Key West bars provided companionship for customers. In some places, the company consisted of a pretty scantily clad young lady hustling drinks. No sex. Known as B-girls.

At other establishments, the ladies might be described as bi. They doubled as B-girls and prostitutes. They liquored up the men and then took them to a back room or upstairs.

Whore houses also existed. Strictly for sex.

I have written about the whore houses in the past and how the Navy dealt with them. Today’s dissertation is limited to bars with B-girls. Sex immaterial.

The U.S. Navy considered bars with B-bars and whore houses an abomination. From the 1930’s thru the early 1960’s, the Navy  exerted every effort to get them closed. Bad for a sailor’s pocket book and health. Syphilis difficult to deal with through World War II.

The Navy constantly imposed itself on the City of Key West. Beat upon Commission members till they relented and did something about the establishments. Sometimes one, other times all.

In 1953, the Mardi Gras Night Club was located at 92 Duval Street. Primarily a B-girl operation. The Mardi Gras had operated before 1960 and after. Closed down several times by authorities for one reason or another. The closings again always pressured by the Navy.

The City passed an ordinance baring B-girls. Mardi Gras was a repeat offender of the ordinance and frequently closed. Only to reopen another time.

The B-girls were young lovelies. Few clothes. Tassels part of their meager clothing. The ladies referred to as burlesque girls who spun their tassels.

The bar was a popular place. Part of the 1955 movie The Rose Tattoo was filmed there. The movie starred Burt Lancaster and Anna Mangani. Tennessee Williams had written the Broadway play.

Most of the filming was done at a home on Duncan Street. 1431 to be exact. A block and a half from my daughter Lisa’s home.

Next door to 1431 was Tennessee Williams’ home. Williams permitted his home to be used for change of costume, rest, etc.

During the Mardi Gras scenes, Tennessee Williams, his lover Frank Merlo, and producer Hal Wallis can be seen as extras.

Several years following the making of the movie, Williams had an enormous mosaic of a rose tattoo embedded in the floor of the pool behind his house. It is still there.

The Mardi Gras Night Club was still operating in 1960. I discovered some photos of the place. The ladies were standing on the bar. Scantily clad, beautiful. I could see why sailors would blow their pay to sit and chat with them.

My blog talk radio show Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou held last night. Excellent topics. The topics are everything.

Two especially stood out.

This saturday will be the 50th anniversary of man landing on the moon. Apollo 11, Neil Armstrong, and Buzz Aldrin.

Blew my mind! Man able to fly to the moon and then walk on it!

The other special topic involved President Jimmy Carter and the late 1970’s oil shortage. A for real shortage. Wait in line 3 hours to get gas. Then be limited as to number of gallons. Cars running out of gas. Fuel for heating homes in poor supply.

Carter did a special telecast on February 2, 1977. The purpose to advise the American people how things were going and what to do.

Carter appeared on TV wearing a sweater. No jacket. His advice was to lower thermostats to 60 degrees and wear a sweater.

Did not go over well. Wonder why Carter was defeated in the next election by Reagan.

This week and next big times in Key West. Today, the beginning of Hemingway Days. Next week, the 2 day Mini Lobster Season.

Thousands will visit Key West to participate.

Joe DiMaggio. One of the greats in the history of baseball.

DiMaggio had a batting streak going. He had hit in 56 consecutive games. On this day in 1941, DiMaggio was looking for hit 57. It was not to be. His 56 game record however remains to this day.

To appreciate the man’s quality as a baseball player, DiMaggio played 13 seasons. In that time, the New York Yankees won 11 pennants and 10 World Series.

Difficult to beat a record like that!

A touch of Trump. Can’t be avoided.

Around 7 last night, the House of Representatives voted a condemnation of the President for his racist comments. The comments wherein he told the young female Congresswomen who were on his back to return from where they came.

All women of color. Three born in the U.S. One in Somalia and became a naturalized citizen at 14.

In bad taste. The President exhibited his racist edge once again. To the wrong group, however. These are 4 tough young ladies.

The condemnation does not hurt Trump as a practical matter. It is a bad mark on his Presidential report card, however. The mark will be there for all history. Every one will know the type of man he was when it came to persons of color.

A racist and bigot are pretty much the same. In my years, I have met many. We all do.

I learned that a racist/bigot does not know he is one. Completely oblivious to it. Thinks he is good to everyone and treats everyone properly.

Does not work that way.

Trump proves my point. He said regarding the racist charge: “I don’t have a racist bone in my body.”

Trump is not going to change. He is what he is. He also has around 50 percent of Americans who agree with him. The 50 percent consisting in significant part of older white males.

The Republicans disappoint me. They have to know how bad their man is. Yet they stand quiet. Stoic is the word. Their silence has become an heroic public act of defiance.

Enjoy your day!

Some interesting politically philosophical items. Related, yet different.

First however Louis’ day yesterday and other matters of interest.

Enjoyed last night! I am just getting back into enjoying myself. Did Dueling Bartenders and La Trattoria.

Rick Dery and Heather Mae providing the entertainment.

Few in attendance. Summer the slow season. Families not prone to enter a drag show emporium. Understandably not healthy for kids.

Tom and Claire came in. I rarely see them unfortunately. They have finally made Key West their home.

Mary arrived.

Mary and I walked over to La Trattoria for dinner. Carrie bartending.

I continue to be a good boy. No alcohol! Eight weeks now. I did cheat food wise, however. Enjoyed lasagna.

The break with alcohol and smoking still bothers me. The desire remains. One night it is alcohol. The next cigarettes. My body cannot make up its mind.

Tomorrow the beginning of one of Key West’s most popular celebrations. Hemingway Days. Will run through sunday. Activity centered around Sloppy Joe’s.

I consider Running With the Bulls and the Hemingway Look-a-Like contest to be the best items on the agenda. Will discuss them further in the next few days.

The British Open in Ireland this year. Begins thursday. Going to be interesting. A link course, on the ocean, strong winds. Course described as “mugged,” whatever that means.

This is the second time the Open is being played in Northern Ireland. The last time 68 years ago.

This will be the 148th British Open. The first in 1860. The years do not match up. I assume a few were missed here and there in the early years.

Wore the med-alert for the first time yesterday.

Did not even know I had something around my neck.

There is a small push button attached to each string/chain around the neck. One for indoors and one for outdoors. The indoor one will only operate within 150 feet of the house. The other one any where. It operates off my cell phone which has a special GPS connected to it.

Yesterday, I did some testing. Wore the indoor one in the shower. No problem. I also pressed the button. I wanted to run a test to see if everything was working.

The company is supposed to respond in 15 seconds. It did in 10.

Ran into a bit of a problem. Someone answered “Louis?” Wanted to know my problem. Told her none, just testing. She did not believe me at first. Why, I don’t know. I had to go through several questions and answers to prove it was Louis and I was merely testing.

Did not upset me. The company doing its job.

As to political philosophies, want to start with Nazism. Continues to be on the rise!

Nazism and an America story. The facts having played out in Whitefish, Montana. Can’t get more American than Whitefish, Montana.

Andrew Anglin is a devout Nazi. Through and through. Resides in the Whitefish area.

An anti-Semitic. Publisher and editor of the Nazi publication the Daily Stormer. An admirer of George Lincoln Rockwell, the founder of the American Nazi Party. When Trump was elected, he urged his supporters “to party like its 1933”. The year Hitler rose to power.

Remember Charlottesville? Anglin was the featured speaker at the Unite the Right rally.

No question, Anglin a Nazi through and through.

Tanya Gersh a resident of Whitefish, together with her husband and 12 year old son. She is of the Jewish faith. A realtor by profession.

Richard Spencer is a white supremacist leader. His claim to fame is he coined the term “alt-right.”

He too a resident of Whitefish.

Gersh was saying negative things about Spencer’s mother. Anglin did not approve. He used his paper the Daily Stormer to retaliate. The retaliation was far greater than any wrong committed.

Spencer published Gersh’s phone number and told his readers to call Gersh  and otherwise harass her. That they did. Her husband and son also. The Daily Stormer’s article read, “Tell them you are sickened by their Jewish agenda…..This is very important. Calling these people up and/or sending them a quick message very easy.”

Gersh and her family were literally buried in messages and other abuses.

Gersh decided not to take it and sued the Daily Stormer and Anglin in federal court.

Anglin ignored the lawsuit. He failed to appear for a deposition. The court threw out his initial responsive papers and gave judgment to Tanya Gersh. The dollar amount $14 million.

Anglin has disappeared. Said to have gone underground.

The court referred to Anglin’s actions as “an old fashioned troll storm…..egregious and reprehensible…..online intimidation.”

We move now from Whitefish, Montana to Novara, Italy. My purpose to show that Nazism is on the rise all over the globe.

Novara is familiar to me. Those of you who are long time readers of this blog recall my Greece trips several years ago. Part of the trips included a few days in Novara visiting my friend Anna.

Novara is a tiny town a half hour train ride from Milan.

Italian authorities have a federal agency that deals solely with Nazi problems.

The authorities discovered air to air missiles, a rocket launcher, guns, and Nazi memorabilia in the Novara home of a Nazi sympathizer. The Novara raid was one of several conducted in various cities simultaneously.

The overall recovery unprecedented.

And so it goes. A new generation has discovered Nazism and all the evil that goes with it. They are on the rise. Beware.

Trump’s turn.

A racist President. May have been others. No one open and flagrant in his views as Trump, however.

I don’t think Trump is reintroducing racism into our society. It existed long before his election. Half the U.S. population is and have been bigots. They kept quiet about it, however. Till trump. He sensed the racism or tripped upon it. Whatever, he has brought the issue to the forefront.

I saw it as an attorney. Judges! A number of them. Fortunately not half. One spoke extremely negative about them in private all the time. Jews included.

The past election brought 4 new Congresswomen to Washington. All young. Fearless. Consider themselves elected to do the job the federal government has failed to do in decades.

Outspoken! No question about it.

They are in major conflict with Trump at the moment. All are women of color. Trump a racist. Conflict was certain and it has begun. In an off the hand comment the other day, Trump said they should go back where they came from.

Another example of Trump not knowing what he was talking about. Three were born in the U.S. One in Somalia. However, a U.S. naturalized citizen.

Trump has met his match. They will leave him mumbling.

Trump and immigrants. An ongoing confrontation.

Recall how simple the issue was when Trump ran in 2016. He was going to build a wall and Mexico was going to pay for it. Still no wall and Mexico has made it clear they will not pay for one.

Trump’s actions have made the immigration problem get out of hand.

He is still at it.

It was announced yesterday that new asylum rules had been promulgated by Trump. They will be posted in the Federal Register today. Become effective tomorrow.

Basically, the new rule/law is to the effect that any person seeking U.S. asylum that passes through another country first on the way to the U.S., must seek asylum in that country. If such person fails to do so, that person will not be eligible for asylum protection.

Good luck! Those on the southwest border are limited. Some have only traveled through Mexico. Mexico cannot handle them. If some others first had to go through Guatemala, it would be the same. I read somewhere that Guatemala had all of 4 asylum requests last year. They too are not equipped to handle the throngs involved.

Voices have already risen against Trump’s new gimmick. Comments like “…..most egregious…..extreme…..fundamentally eviscerates rights.”

Attorney General Barr, Trump’s new puppet/licking dog, says the new way is “a lawful exercise of authority provided by Congress to restrict eligibility for asylum.”

Lawsuits certain.

The ICE raids this past weekend. What happened? We have heard nothing.

Obviously did not occur. In spite of Trump going on television yesterday and mentioning how successful they were. Following which he immediately changed the subject.

The right hand does not know what the left is doing in Washington. Ken Cuccinelli is the Chief of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service. He was all over TV last week speaking about the raids. In statement form. No substance. Details lacking.

On a national TV show yesterday, he admitted he was unaware of the details of the raids. He further said no one reported to him the results of the raids. The President said they were a success. It is obvious no raids took place. Left Cuccinelli hanging out there.

What a way to run a government!

Now to communism.

I used to respect Senator Lindsay Graham. He stood with John McCain on issues. Generally on the side of right.

No more. Another Trump lap dog.

Graham referred to the 4 Congresswomen that Trump said should go back where they came from in a different fashion. He called them “communists!”

Liberals, yes. Progressives, yes. Tending to socialism, perhaps yes.

No way communists.

An insult. The man should know better. His respect factor is dwindling. Trump is not worth it.

Tonight Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. Nine my time. Join me. Lots of fun. I rant and rave about this and that. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou.

Enjoy your day!

Some things awaken a person to a fact. A fact known to exist, but not considered till late in life. Life is not forever! The older one gets, the closer death.

I am 84. I am close to the end. Could be tomorrow or 20 years from now. My father made it to 98, his father 94, his sister 102.

All had ailments. Interestingly, we are what our parents were. I have all the maladies at this stage of my life that my father did.

Why this aging/death thing? Two recent occurrences in my life force me to face it.

Today, I begin wearing a medical alert. Around my neck day and night. If I fall, have an attack of some sort, etc., I press the button. Help is on its way within 15 seconds.

It was time. I am falling too much again. Already did physiotherapy. Something additional required at this time. My doctors tell me it is my blood pressure medication. I need a lot. Getting out of bed or up out of a chair too swiftly and I go down.

In case I forget to pause now, I have the button.

Less I forget, the alert system not cheap. All companies advertise $19.95 per month. That only gets one the barest necessities. The same as being without it. I added a number of things. The bill now $54.95 a month.

The other is the use of a cane. I do not have one yet. One of my doctor’s says it is time. I have begun to walk wobbly. Like sideways a bit instead of forward.

The cane is hard to accept. Means I am old! I know it! Fight accepting the cane, however.

I tried a cane the other day at Publix. Publix sells them. Walked back and forth several times in front of the drug counter. Works! Helped tremendously! Don’t be surprised if at some point I let you know I have capitulated and accepted the cane.

Sloan was with me early afternoon yesterday setting up the medical alert operation. Confusing. Took almost 3 hours. I would never have got it done if I had to do it alone. Simple it was not to put together.

I was supposed to have lunch with Mary at Harpoon Harry’s. Did not make it till 4.

Came across an interesting quote concerning mothers and the first place a child resides. “My mother was my first country: The first place I ever lived.”

This is Apollo 11 Week. Amazing how time flies!

Only 50 years ago. July 20, 1969.

Two things have impressed me in life. Man walking on the moon and the Berlin Wall coming down.

My wife and I were glued to the TV set the evening of the landing and first walk. It was after 11 in the evening. I was excited!

My 4 children all asleep. Ages 5-10. Over my wife’s objection, I woke them and had them join us downstairs to watch the landing/walk. I sensed it was a memorable occasion and one I wanted them to remember their whole lives.

Good luck! None of them remembers.

The threats of war in the Middle East bring to mind oil shortages. There will be should a war occur.

I had two experiences with the oil shortage. Back in the 1970’s when Jimmy Carter was President. Respectfully, not the greatest President. The best post-President, however.

Things were tough oil wise. We were told to lower our thermostats to 60 in the evening. Cold! Especially if winters where I lived could drop 10-20 degrees below zero.

Not enough fuel for cars.

My parents, wife and I had spent a long weekend in New York at a family wedding. For some reason, we opted to leave New York just before midnight on sunday. A 4 1/2 hour drive ahead.

No gas stations open. My fuel gauge suggested it was going to be close. It was. We were on the New York State Thruway 4 miles from Utica when we ran out of gas. No stations, etc.open at night to help during the crisis. You had to be crazy to be on the highway at 4 in the morning as we were.

We napped in the car till 7 when the Thruway came to life again.

That same winter, I had rented a condo in Pompano. We were there a couple of weeks at one point. Time to get gas. The kids and I drove to a gas station. The line had to be at least 1/2 mile long. Maybe a mile. It took 3 hours to get to the pump.

Carter went on national TV on February 2, 1977. He was to deliver a special message as to how to deal with the oil crisis. It was not what anyone expected.

His advice: “Wear a sweater.”

For real. He was serious. He was wearing a sweater as he gave his talk. He considered wearing the sweater “a mild sacrifice.” Of course, thermostats should be lowered, etc.

On another issue, some quotes by a prominent government official: “The victor will never be asked if he told the truth…..The very first essential for success is a perpetually constant and regular employment of violence…..If you tell a big lie and tell it frequently enough, it will be believed…..The man who has no sense of history, is like a man who has no ears or eyes…..I use emotion for the many and reserve reason for the few…..He alone who owns the youth, gains the future…..The victor will never be asked if he told the truth.”

The author Adolph Hitler. Anyone else come to mind?

Yesterday was the third sunday ICE was to perform massive raids and arrest for deportation some 2,000 immigrants illegally in the United States. For the third sunday, nothing happened.

Why?

Was/is the threat another by Trump full of sound and fury signifying nothing? Did Trump become aware the U.S. is not equipped to handle the large number to be arrested? Or was Trump waiting for a more convenient day when the opposition would not be as strong?

Yesterday a significant number of advocates across the country took to the streets to demonstrate in protest of the promised roundup.

Our nation continues to be sick re the immigration problems. I say the “nation” since half our people seem to tolerate what is being done and the manner in which it is being accomplished.

Can anyone question that Trump is racist? His most recent indication were his comments re the 4 freshmen Congresswomen who have been openly advocating against him. In a tweet, Trump said in effect they should go back where they came from.

Three were born in the U.S. The fourth a naturalized citizen.

The venom that comes out of Trump’s mouth. Every time he opens his mouth, venom spews forth.

In a recent New York Times Opinion Column, the author wrote, “We are not “a white country built by white men and destined to be maintained as a white country.” It was further stated, “We are watching a very dark chapter in this nation’s history unfold in real time.”

The comedian Joey Adams once said, “Do not worry about avoiding temptation. As you get older, it will avoid you.”

How true!

Tonight Dueling Bartenders followed by dinner at La Trattoria.

Enjoy your day!