So many great writers. So many outstanding articles. Every now and then however a writing appears which is a step above the others.

SALON published on July 6, 2019 such an article. Titled: Searching for Ernest Hemingway in Cuba. The author: Andrew Feldman.

Whereas Hemingway spent 11 years in Key West, he lived in Cuba 21 years. His home Finca Vigia. A long bus ride outside of Havana.

Feldman spent 2 years researching in Cuba the book finally published. Ernesto: The Untold Story of Hemingway in Revolutionary Cuba. Feldman’s article in SALON can be found at https//www.salon.com/2019/07/06/searching-for-ernest-hemingway-in-cuba/.

I suggest you read at the very least the SALON article. A great piece!

A calm sunday yesterday.

Enjoyed a late breakfast at Harpoon Harry’s. Season over. Not crowded.

Then a walk around the waterfront.

The remainder of the day at home. A sport day.

First the championship game for the Women’s World Cup. Outstanding soccer. The USA team won 2-0.

In my young days, no one had even heard of soccer. Then as refuges and immigrants found our shores, the game started picking up. First on dirt fields with no line demarcation or anything. Followed by better improvised playing fields. Came a time when the popularity of the sport was growing. Schools began sponsoring soccer teams.

Today soccer has to rank as  a major sport in the USA. An example being the fact that the USA Women’s Team has won the world championship in 4 of the last 10 years.

Golf later in the afternoon. The final round of the 3M Open.

An unusual result. The winner Matthew Wolff. Twenty years old. His third pro tournament. He won with a 20 foot eagle putt on the 72nd hole.

A player to watch.

The history of Key West and the Keys in general is unending.

About 30 miles outside Key West is Little Torch Key. To help place it in perspective, the next Key after Little Torch is Big Pine.

Several miles off Little Torch Key on the Atlantic side is what is known today as Little Palm Island. One of the best and most expensive resorts in the world.

Little Palm Island took a big time beating with Irma. Completely destroyed. Still under repair. Actually, a rebuilding. Hopefully will be completed by year’s end.

Little Palm Island has had several names over the years. At one time, Munson Island. In the late 1950’s and into the 1960’s it was owned by John Spottswood. A prominent Democrat. He served as Sheriff and State Senator.

President Kennedy was visiting Key West to inspect the U.S.’s fortifications during the Cuban missile crisis. He was driving around Key West. Spottswood and the President sitting together in the back seat of a convertible.

The men knew each  other. They had previously met.

At the time, Hollywood was planning to film PT-109. Kennedy’s story when his boat was shot out from under him in World War II and the subsequent days he and his crew spent on a little island awaiting rescue.

A locale for the movie had not yet been selected. Spottswood suggested that Hollywood might enjoy making it on his island, Munson Island.

It came to pass. Munson Island is where PT-109 was filmed.

The Spottswood family continues to live in Key West. The father John Spottswood is long dead. His children now in their 50’s at least run things. Their business interests have expanded.

Good people. I especially know Robert and Elena Spottswood. The best.

Trump continues to not recognize the rule of law. Without it, the U.S. is nothing. He is in the census battle at the moment. The Supreme Court ruled against the Trump proposal a couple of weeks ago. Nevertheless, Trump is still pursuing it.

The Justice department lawyers who handled the case have been fired from it. A new set appointed. I assume the first group told the President the issue was dead and it would be wrong to pursue it further in view of the Supreme Court decision.

What Trump is doing in effect is mocking the Supreme Court and its decision. Trump fails to understand when the Supreme Court speaks, that’s it. At least for a substantial number of years.

Trump is going nowhere with the continuing litigation. Wasting time and money.

Putin is Trump’s friend. Trump would have us believe that Putin and Russia are our friends.

If such is the case, why did Russia’s state media make fun of Trump’s July 4 celebration?

The Russian media mocked the military equipment that was part of the parade. Out of date, they said. Correctly so. The tanks alone were put to rest in 1957. Russian media said the tanks were held together with “adhesive tape” and covered with “peeling paint.”

The parade itself was described as “low energy” and “weak.”

Some friends!

Following the Women’s Championship Soccer match yesterday, FOX News had a reporter in a Lyons, France sports bar. As the reporter began speaking on TV, someone shouted “Fuck Trump!” Everyone immediately joined in. “Fuck Trump!” loud and clear!

The man lacks respect in most parts of the world. Not the U.S. however. He continues to maintain that roughly 40 percent who follow him blindly.

Not healthy.

Jeffrey Epstein’s sex trafficking of minors in the news again. It will be for a long time to come. Don’t be surprised if many Democratic and Republican politicians are named who will have been involved peripherally.

I have not talked about robots in a while. They are back in the news.

Robots are increasingly being used in many areas. Replacing humans.

The newest area. Space travel. Our next bunch of space explorers will be robots. There will be no more Neil Armstrongs.

Enjoy your day!

Key West has ghosts. Several observed with frequency.

Key West does not have an exclusive on ghosts. One comes to mind today. Her name Mary Surratt. On this day in 1865 Mary was hung in Washington, D.C. Executed. Her crime: An alleged conspirator in the assassination of Abraham Lincoln.

Mary bears the distinction of having been the first woman executed by the U.S. government.

She was hung at the Old Arsenal Penitentiary in Washington. Today, the site of Fort McNair.

She went to her death wearing a long black dress. Hands and feet bound. Her head covered.

It is claimed that Mary still walks the grounds of Fort McNair. Children of soldiers stationed there claim they play with a “lady in black.” Others have seen her walking the grounds of the Fort.

There is an old wive’s tale that ghosts continue  to remain at a particular earthly place because of some unhappiness, some unfinished business. In Mary’s case it might be because her involvement with Lincoln’s assassination was questionable. She may have been innocent. Many thought her innocent. Others, the death penalty too harsh.

It was thought President Johnson would pardon her at the last moment or reduce her sentence to life in prison. Her morning scheduled hanging was held off till the afternoon in anticipation of one or the other. Neither came. She was hung.

Celebrated my 84th birthday last night with good friends Donna, Terri and Mary. Dinner at Tavern & Town.

Terri in great shape. Since she had the stent put in 2 weeks ago, she is full of energy.

When it came time to blow out the candle, my dear friends began singing Happy Birthday. Soon Terri’s voice overwhelmed them. She sings magnificently! Happy birthday like you have never heard it.

The dining room cheered her when she was done.

As we were walking out following dinner, we passed Bobby Nesbitt who was performing in the bar area. He shouted out…..Louis Petrone, Happy Birthday! He started to sing Happy Birthday. Terri joined in. At the end, the bar gave Terri another great hand.

My personal thanks to all who e-mailed and telephoned yesterday. It made me feel good.

Key West’s old City Hall sits on Greene Street. Still used for such things as community meetings. A new City Hall was opened on White Street 2 years ago. A lovely building!

KONK Life ran a photo of a Key West City Hall on Greene Street which was dedicated July 4, 1876. Sort of looks like, could be, the old City Hall still standing on Greene Street. I say maybe because it does not look like the 1876 one. Then again hard to tell. Throw a couple of small additions on a building and a staircase and it could be the same one.

Mario Sanchez is one of Key West’s famous people. An artist. He did bas relief carvings. Then painted over them in vibrant colors.

KONK Life ran another photo this morning. One of Sanchez working in his “studio” on July 7, 1962. The studio unique. In the shade outside under trees.

Cary Grant made Operation Petticoat in Key West. While here, he purchased 4 of Sanchez’s pieces. When Grant later made That Touch of Mink, the Sanchez works Grant had purchased could be seen in the film.

Sanchez’s wood paintings outstanding. Relatively small. At one point in Sanchez’s career, they were selling for $50,000 a piece.

I fear the California earthquakes of the past 2 days will be with us for another month. Experts are predicting up to 10 more. Some aftershocks, some actually new quakes. Anyone could be above the 7.1 on the rector scale recorded yesterday.

Yesterday’s quake is being described as the worst in 20 years.

Twenty years ago, my dear friend Bob Marks was working in the San Francisco area when the quake hit. He telephoned me 3 days after. He still could not get home. In order to do so, he had to cross the San-Francisco-Oakland Bridge. Big. The top section of the bridge had collapsed. Would take forever to fix. Access to the other side not yet worked out.

The earthquake a big one. Rector Scale reported 6.9. Sixty seven people killed. Thousands injured. Five billion dollars in property damage.

The ultimate cost to rebuild the bridge $6.4 billion. It is claimed the new suspension spa will withstand the strongest earthquakes that may occur in the next 1,500 years.

Hope we don’t find out the estimate is incorrect.

I thought today would be a day without Trump. Not to be.

This morning’s news report comments made by British Ambassador Kim Darroch about Trump. The comments are in memos sent to the British Foreign Commonwealth. Somehow released and verified to be so contained.

Remarks made were between 2017 and now.

Observations like “inept” and “incompetent.” “Uniquely dysfunctional.” U.S. government “divided.”

Re collusion between the Trump election team and Russia: “The worst cannot be ruled out.”

Enjoy your Sunday!

Today is my birthday. Eighty four years old.

Never thought about getting this old. The years move swiftly. All of a sudden, you are there!

The years get shorter, also. There was a time when a year took a long time to pass. No more. They add up rapidly now. Too fast.

The body ages, not the mind. At least in my case.

My body has been having problems since my early 70’s. That’s the way it is. Things start breaking down. The body is like a car. The older it gets, the more problems it has. You hope when a problem occurs, it is fixable. Lately every time I get sick I wonder if this is the one that will not be.

The mind is amazing! Mine is still 35 years old, except as to wisdom. I have heard many times during my life wisdom comes with age. No question about it. I am mentally sharper today than ever before. I also know more. New things are learned every year. They add up.

Tonight, Donna and Terri are taking me to Tavern and Town to celebrate. We will have fun. Terri will rock the place when a cake is presented. She will sing Happy Birthday in her loud magnificent voice.

Lisa and family are out of town. Taking Robert to tennis camp somewhere in mid Florida. He will be there a whole week. Robert may be tomorrow’s Roger Federer.

Earthquakes. California getting hit bad. Two in 2 days. The first a 6.4. The one last night 7.1.

I have experienced 4. Number 3 was Acapulco. Thought it was the worst till the one I experienced about 10 years ago in Italy. I thought the walls were going to collapse on me.

I was staying at Anna’s apartment in Novara, outside of Milan.

Anna’s apartment magnificent. A 10,000 square foot apartment. For real! The building was old. Constructed around 1500 A.D. The outside had been redone giving the impression the building was new.

The apartments were not. Remained as they were in 1500. Why 10,000 square feet, I cannot tell you. Covered 2 floors.

The rooms beautiful. High ceilings and windows. Frescos covering the ceilings.

I was in Anna’s office writing my blog. All of a sudden the building shook. Walls moved. Chandeliers swung. Books fell off shelves. Pictures off walls.

An earthquake. Not a quicky as most are. It kept coming.

I sat there waiting for the walls to collapse. Saying to myself, I don’t believe this. Anna went crazy. She was running around screaming.

The earthquake occurred about 100 miles away. TV later showed buildings down big time. Damage similar to that from a hurricane. Some buildings down in Novara. Actually not much damage. The shock the worst. I can only imagine what it was at the actual place it occurred.

I don’t recall the rector scale number. Probably never heard it. The media in Italian. My Italian not good enough to comprehend.

About 2 hours after the initial shock, the first aftershock hit. As bad as the earthquake itself. I thought what a fun trip this is going to be.

Minor aftershocks continued for 3 days.

Italians handled the earthquake well. Anna called her friends and had a huge earthquake party that evening. I enjoyed!

Last night, the Chart Room first. David was there. We chatted a while.

The Hemingway Look-A-Like contest about 10 days away. One of the contestants came in. White beard and all. This would be his 26th competition. He felt confident he would win this year.

Not drinking bothered me. David was knocking down the beers. The Hemingway look alike hard liquor. Louis, diet soda.

Suddenly, I had to get out. I could not take it any longer. Everyone was happy, laughing, getting boisterous and having a good time. I was sitting quietly, disenchanted with everything going on. I was not part of what was going on.

Stopped at La Trattoria for dinner. Carrie bartending.

Holly was having dinner at the bar also. I had not seen her in years. Holly is part of the Gerber baby food family. They sold years ago. Everyone has seen Holly’s picture over the years. The baby on the Gerber label.

Enjoy your day!

Trump’s Fourth of July is yesterday’s news. I have some observations/comments. However, there is an item more important to address first.

Sanctuary. The historical right of a person pursued by law to take refuge in a house of worship. Generally, at or near the altar.

The issue becomes important at the moment because of Trump’s announcement several days ago that he was sending ICE out to arrest immigrants illegally here. Those already determined to have gained access illegally, but failed to show up for deportation.

A bit of history.

Sanctuary goes back to Greek and Roman times. Temples and acres of land surrounding them were places of sanctuary. Then came Jesus and Christian Churches. Followed in modern times by synagogues. All offering a place of refuge and safety. A place sacred. Free from police intrusion.

The area within was that near the altar. Although not etched in stone. Certain churches recognize anywhere within the church building.

Yesterday, sanctuary was legally recognized. Today, not.

Which creates problems.

Envision police charging down the aisle of a church with guns drawn (all police types draw guns these days) to arrest an individual on God’s altar. The media and most religious institutions would be unending in their criticism. Not a popular way to do things.

Today, many illegal aliens are seeking the protection of the church. They believe sanctuary protects them. The churches believe it, also.

A church not the place for such a confrontation.  Police might be best served by stopping at the door to a church.

Trump may have created a scenario where such will not occur. Ice and other governmental officials will probably enter places of sanctuary and make arrests.

Recall Trump recently announcing that in a few days he was going to arrest “2 million.” Shortly the number was described as “millions.” Then “1 million.” Lastly, “2,000.”

They will be coming after the 2,000 soon. Church doors will be violated. Churches will be violated. Altars will be violated. The immigrant violated. Perhaps even the clergy protecting them.

Don’t say no. Not churches. If Trump can take children from their parents, place them in cages, deprive them of basic necessities, why not?

Sometimes the President’s head is up his ass. Illegals have no money. Yet he recently declared he would be imposing a law already on the books that illegals can be fined for avoiding deportation. High daily numbers. Some already owe in excess of $300,000 and $500,000. Demand letter have been sent.

Tell me where these people are going to get that kind of money. A stupid act to scare/to force the immigrants into leaving the U.S. “voluntarily.” People without money could care less. If they don’t have anything, fine them a million dollars. It makes no difference.

Eventually, the courts will be involved. I am not sure they can do anything since sanctuary is no longer recognized as legal. However there may be other grounds justifying those charged to remain in the U.S. to another day.

Time will tell.

Now for Trump’s Fourth of July.

A political move. A change in how we approach the Fourth. Good feeling was absent. Respect for the military was. Not necessarily what the Fourth is about, however.

My comments will be brief. Hitting a few spots. The media has already made everyone aware of how the event transpired.

Once again, Trump proved he was no student of history. He said the 1775 Continental Army “manned the air” and “took over the airports.”

There were no planes or airports till the early 1900’s. The Wright brothers did not invent the airplane till the very early 1900’s.

The other error concerned Fort McHenry. Trump said that the 1775 Continental Army, “under the rockets red glare” enjoyed victory. Fort McHenry and the wording involved occurred during the War of 1812 and not the Revolutionary War.

The trappings those of a political rally.

Trump and his event were periodically rained upon. A sign from above that he was not doing the right thing?

I got to the show late. Just as Trump was reviewing each branch of the military and announcing the limited planes flying over. Military might did not move me. I know we are strong. We all do. That which I saw left me empty.

Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his “I have a dream speech” close to the spot from which Trump was talking. Yesterday, I wrote Trump insulted Lincoln by his use of the Memorial. Today, I join King’s memory with having been insulted.

I was impressed with the crowd. Thought there would be empty pockets. The crowd ran from the Lincoln Memorial to the Washington Memorial. The reflecting pool in the middle. No empty spots. A significant gathering.

I read this morning that Trump was concerned there would be empty seats. He had aides “scramble” to distribute tickets and mobilize people to attend. Those mobilized included military members, Republicans, campaign donors,and other significant bigwigs.

It worked! There were no empty seats.

I missed the usual music. The sons sung were patriotic. There are more however. Repeated each year. Moving. Absent this year.

An interesting piece of Key West history. One that suggests history does repeat itself.

On July 5, 1976, the United States was celebrating its bicentennial. Two hundred years a nation. Parades held throughout the U.S.

Key West had its parade. With admiration, Key west has a parade for everything. Wonderful!

The fire trucks were part of the Key West parade. As the parade was starting, a fire broke out at 11 Eaton street. The fire trucks had to pull out of the parade to do their duty.

The Centennial Celebration was 100 years earlier. On July 5, 1876. Fire trucks in the parade. A fire broke out and the fire trucks had to leave.

On this day in 1946, the bikini was first introduced to the public. An immediate hit. Two pieces. A bra top consisting of 2 inverted triangles of cloth connected by a string. The bottom scant without being revealing. Thirty inches of fabric.

Historically, the U.S. did not go to even a 2 piece bathing suit till world war II. A bra and panty. The panty portion sufficiently high so as to block a woman’s belly button.

The reason why suddenly a 2 piecer was that the U.S. was at war and material had to be conserved for the war effort.

Today, a woman’s bathing suit even less. A thong patch in front with a string hiding between butt cheeks. The top as little as possible. Just enough to cover the aureoles and nipples.

Again Virginia Slims correct. Women have come a long way!

Enjoy your day!

Americans know Abraham Lincoln. From school days, readings, movies, and other sources. Donald, you are no Abraham Lincoln. Far from him on the Presidential spectrum. Lincoln is considered the U.S.’s best President. History will rank Trump as the worst. Last on any listing of best Presidents.

The President is a demagogue. A fancy term for a rabble-rouser. A leader who gains popularity in a democracy by exploiting prejudice and ignorance to arouse the common people against elites, whipping up the passions of the crowd and shutting down reasoned deliberation.

Lincoln the opposite. Therein lies the reason why Trump should not have moved the annual Fourth of July celebration from Capital grounds to the Lincoln Memorial. He should not even be speaking. Few Presidents have. Most watch the event on television at the Presidential residence.

The Fourth of July event has traditionally been one for the people. Their celebration of America’s most important day. All attending equal and there to enjoy, not politicize.

Many articles this past week indicating the celebration should be as it was. Not as Trump has remade it. A few, very few, supporting his plan.

Opinion writer Greg Sargent wrote in this morning’s Washington Post a lengthy column titled: Trump’s Highlighting of the Fourth of July Just Got a Bit Uglier. His thoughts parallel mine. He portrays them better. Ergo, I set forth excerpts from his column.

Trump “hijacking the Fourth of July…..Trump’s Fourth of July tank dream is about personality, not patriotism…..Trump has transformed the celebration into a campaign event…..the event a takeover…..The naked audacity of usurpation…..whole story Trump told about American decline is false…..his lies about immigration is producing a horrific humanitarian catastrophe.”

There is “…..no doubt that Trump envisions this Fourth of July speech – delivered amid a show of military might – as a display of his own imagined role in restoring U.S. greatness. Trump “has in practice produced…..circuses bluster toward foreign elites and destructive trade wars with no end…..a genuine embrace of strongman authoritarian nationalism…..a real abandonment of the ideals of liberal democracy.”

Trump…..”absolved the Saudi royal family of any role in the dismembering of Jamal Khashoggi…..Trump does not know why he hates liberal democracy – only that he senses it is incompatible with the value he places on domination and hierarchy…..Trump has not given much thought to the Declaration of Independence.”

Some incidental observations re this day of national importance.

The Trump inspired Lincoln Memorial event will cost in the area of $100 million. Where will the money come from to pay for it? Trump already “borrowed” $2.5 million from the Park Service. The U.S. still owes the City of Washington D.C. $7 million for inauguration expenses.

Millions being spent to satisfy a Trump whim. It does not appear proper to spend all that money when…..a portion could be used to buy toothbrushes, blankets, diapers, etc. for the immigrant children caged on the border. If Trump can borrow or incur debt for his folly, then he should be able to act in a similar fashion to help the children.

The tanks in the parade have not been used in 60 years. Not since the end of World War II.

Not all the family will be at the event. Ivanka, Jared, Donald Jr, and his girl friend, will be in the Hamptons partying.

Today is normally spent with family and friends, cook outs, parades, and parties. I am confident they will continue. The American people will enjoy the day and then at 9 this evening sit down to watch TV to see what Trump has arranged. For the American people or himself?

Enjoy your holiday!

A few days ago it was reported that a migrant father and his 2 year old daughter drowned while trying to swim the Rio Grande to U.S. shores. A photo of the two dominated the news. The 2 year old girl with her little arm draped over her father’s shoulders especially heart wrenching.

America cried out! We must do something about it!

Yesterday, a migrant mother and 2 year old girl tried to swim the Rio Grande to U.S. shores. One died. The mother made it. The 2 year old did not. They are searching for her body.

How many more migrant children and adults have to die before the situation is remedied? The American people seem more incensed this week following Congressional persons who were admitted to certain detention camps and viewed the miscarriages occurring, and then reported the abuses.

The furor increased. To what good? We are at a point where something has to be done. Courts and complaining go so far and require time.

I do not know the solution. I do know no more 2 year olds should die while attempting to cross the Rio Grande.

Tomorrow, America’s birthday!

Locally, the fireworks always outstanding.

For many years, a good place to watch from was the Casa Marina Beach. A huge event. Hundreds of people. A family event. The grounds and beach packed.

Rotary has been the primary sponsor over the years. This year Rotary has opted for a different party.

One for the rich and affluent. Whereas in prior years, a small donation got you in, tomorrow $250 per person. VIP seating of course, buffet and free drinks.

I am anxious to see what the profit factor is.

Even if significantly more, not the way to do it. Fireworks on the Fourth belonged to the people of Key West. Rich or poor, it made no difference. Everyone was happy. Smiley faces abounded.

This year, gone.

Out of respect for the Rotary, the event is a fund raiser for some charitable good. I never the less maintain it should not have been changed to the $250 a plate/seat deal.

Placing it all in perspective, if Lisa, her husband, and Robert and Ally went, it would be a $1,000 evening. How many Key West families can afford that number?

There is a picture of the First National Bank Building located at the corner of Duval and Front Streets on page 2 of the Citizen. The photo taken on this day in 1897 when the building was completed.

A magnificent structure. Brick. No longer a bank. A series of small tenant stores.

In 1897, the cost to construct the building $14,380.35. Millions today.

Ivanka was at the G-20 in Japan with her father. She was treated as Trump’s daughter and given the recognition a diplomat of long standing would have received.

Ivanka  did not belong at the meeting, no matter what excuse is given. Donald insulted himself, his daughter and the U.S. by having her participate.

No other nation had a son or daughter representative.

Trump’s knowledge of history amazing!

I watched him on FOX News several times yesterday. The discussion concerned the homeless. Trump commented in effect how terrible. Then said the problem was only 2 years old and he was considering looking into it.

Only 2 years old? Where has he been the past 20 years? They sleep on the sidewalks and on benches in the Washington government district and streets of New York. Must be Donald never walks nor looks out of a limo window.

He does not know.

I don’t have to tell you Trump has scheduled Washington’s July Fourth concert and fireworks for the Lincoln Memorial. The steps from which he will give a speech. He has made sure the whole world knows.

The event has been planned under the direct supervision of Trump. All kinds of military equipment make up the parade. For what ever reason, Trump wants the world to be aware how strong we are.

Jeff Greenfield had an excellent article in this mornings POLITICO re Trump and the event. I share certain quotations from the article.

“Trump has less sense of any President as to what it is all about…..The President’s intrusion into Independence Day is a hijacking.” The “President has upended many of the traditions of the celebration.”

There will be “tanks on the streets of Washington…..his plan is robbing people the wrong way…..what Trump is doing is wreathing himself in the most potent symbols of American history  delivering a speech on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial…..looking across at a landscape of monuments – without any appreciation for the history that made that whole landscape possible.”

“He sees himself without any connection to the American story, any link to presidents past, other than his manifest superiority to any of them.”

Great white sharks. A number spotted off the coast of Cape Cod.

Cape Cod a normal spot for them in the summer. They seek cooler waters. The Cape’s waters are cool/cold as I can attest. Another reason this year. The weather has driven an overabundance of seals to the area. Good shark eating.

Many are spotted off the shore of Chatham. I spent many years vacationing during the summer in Chatham. The Chatham Bar Inn. Any of you who have visited Chatham are aware of it.

I recall one summer when we spent more time out of the water than in. Sharks were prevalent. The swimming guards were constantly yelling or blowing their whistles warning people to get out of the water.

They would know when. Not from an actual shark sighting. Rather the tiny fish that swam in large schools near the top of the water. A favorite shark lunch. The tiny fish created a large ripple blanket.

Quote for the day. By Frances Rabelais: “Everything comes in time to those who can wait.”

How very true!

There were few goals I did achieved timely. I would say this will happen in 3 months or 2 years or whatever. Then work towards the goal. Most came. All late, however. In the final analysis it made no difference.

A great American died yesterday. Lee Iacocca. Age 94.

Iacocca was an automobile industry legend as well as an American legend. Two notables. He helped Ford create the Mustang. A wow car! We all had one. The other occurred when he was CEO of Chrysler. Chrysler in terrible shape in the 1980’s. Going down the tubes. Iococca saved Chrysler with a massive loan from the government which Chrysler paid back.

May he rest in peace.

Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou went well last night. I hit on everything. Sex, female Viagra, Ivanka the homeless, Pavarotti, and China’s new radar system which negates our relatively new stealth planes big time.

Enjoy your day!

Excuse my language, but strong words are called for re the situation I am about to describe.

Business has never been better in Key West. Hotels, etc. and restaurants doing a bag up business. Everything expensive. From food to drinks.

While most business owners are doing well, their employees are not. Bartenders, waiters, waitresses, and other minimum salaried workers, live 4 to a 2 bedroom apartment. Work 3 jobs. Can’t make it otherwise.

Many have left since Irma because they could not afford to remain. Those who did are finding it difficult now even though the economy has recovered. They are leaving. Some businesses are operating with less than full staff. Especially restaurants. There are not enough people remaining who are looking for work.

There is an effort in Tallahassee to put a Constitutional amendment on next year’s ballot. One to increase the minimum wage from $8.46 an hour to $15 an hour. Tipped workers would go to $8.46 an hour.

The raise would be in increments. It would take to 2026 for the $15 an hour to be reached for example.

The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association is opposed, of course. The Chamber of Commerce has not made up its mind. I assume they will be opposed also.

Even off season is good. There is no off season in Key West any longer.

There is a short column on Feedspot this morning which exemplifies the problem. A minimum wage worker writes he is hungry. He has not eaten in 2 days. Looking for a food pantry. He believes he will not be able to make it in Key West.

Situations such as his are becoming typical.

Business owners should be ashamed. Employees help their employers get rich. Share the wealth!

Visited Dr. Norris yesterday. A follow up to see how I am doing re the pancreas attack I suffered.

My complaints minimal. After 6 weeks, I still have some however.

One is I wobble when I walk. The reason I am falling more often.

My blood pressure was 100/70. Pulse 64.

Thought it is my blood pressure meds. I take many. He cut one back to see if that would help. Something to do with no alcohol meaning less salt in my body requiring water.

We shall see.

My next stop was the Cuban Coffee Queen for a cheese toast and cold Cuban coffee. A relaxing atmosphere to enjoy both in.

Then to Home Depot. To keep my walking exercise I had started the day before going.

The first day, I walked 20 minutes and was tired. Especially when I went outside and the humidity hit me. Intended to walk 25 minutes yesterday. Good luck! I was dead at 15. However continued till I reached 20 minutes.

Then hurried home and to bed for 3 hours. Needed to rest. Shot!

Never made it out last night because of the tiredness. Missed Dueling Bartenders and dinner at La Trattoria.

A haircut today at 1. Lori leaving tomorrow for a 3 week vacation to visit her parents and in-laws. Time spent in Maine and on Long Island.

My blog talk radio show Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou tonight at 9. Join me for a fast moving interesting half hour. I rant and rave about everything bothering me. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou.

I was looking for a blog I did about 10 years ago. Never found it. However did come across one I did on January 22, 2010. It involved my granddaughter Lisa.

Lisa was 4 at the time. I was babysitting her. Lisa had to take Robert to Montessori for something.

The pertinent sections of the blog follow.

“I decided to take Ally to a Haitian relief benefit on White Street. We walked. The event was nearby…..sponsored by KONK 1680 AM radio.”

I was doing a one hour radio show at the time for KONK Radio: The Key West Lou Legal Hour.

The party was on White Street in front of the radio station.

“Street blocked off. Singers on a flat bed. Hot dogs, beer, huge cookies, soda and other goodies…..Ally and I walked around. …..bought a large chocolate chip cookie and soda……sat on curb in front of Fausto’s eating and drinking and watching the singers and people…..Ally and I had a good time. She is at an age where she silently takes everything in. She absorbs……The walk home was fun. We were walking Duncan Street. It was dark. The street lights were on. Ally got into shadows. Mine and hers. It was discovery time. She got all excited walking on my shadow…..The beauty and imagination of a 4 year old!”

Ally is 14 years older now. Next month a freshman in high school. A young lady. In a very few years, she will be a woman.

I miss the little girl.

Enjoy your day!

Have to move fast this morning. A doctor visit. Nothing new bothering me. Merely a follow up to pancreas attack and recent fall to determine if everything ok. Should be.

The pancreatitis knocked me on my ass for 6 weeks. With fingers crossed, I tell you I feel well at the moment. Weight good. Body out of shape however in many regards. Requires some exercise.

I opted for walking. Hope to make it a daily thing.

Hot and humid in Key  West these days. The humidity the killer. Extremely heavy. Impossible to walk outside. Decided on the Home Depot. Air conditioned. Began yesterday. Did a whole 15 minutes. A good start. I was tired at the end of 15 minutes and stopped because of it.

An historic day in American history. On this day in 1898, the Battle of San Juan Hill took place. Teddy Roosevelt leading the Rough Riders up the hill to victory.

A little known fact. The Rough Riders was a special unit consisting of western cowboys and eastern blue bloods.

The Spanish-American War and Key West have several connections.

Many of the American troops embarked for Cuba from Key West. A mere 90 mile trip. A large number of the sailors who died when the Battleship Maine exploded are buried in the Key West Cemetery. Each year Key West has a special service at their graves to commemorate their sacrifice. Following the War, a special hearing was conducted at the Custom House to determine the reason why the Maine sunk. Consisted of a high level blue panel. At the time, the Custom House was a recently constructed federal building.

Key West’s progress in public transportation similar to what occurred in most U.S. communities. In the late 19th century, the street cars were horse drawn. Then came electric street cars. A major event! Finally on this day in 1926, the electric street cars were replaced by buses.

Buses it is to this day and in the foreseeable future.

New York City’s Pride Parade yesterday. One of the largest in history.

Key West did itself proud. A significant number attended the Parade to carry the 100 foot Rainbow Flag and to otherwise participate in the march.

Back in the 1970’s, a new cigarette hit the market. It was specifically directed at women. Its slogan: You’ve Come A Long Way Baby! You’ve come a long way could also apply to gay acceptance in the United States.

In 1969, 49 States had laws providing that gay sex among consenting adults was a crime. New York had a law on the books that it was illegal for 2 men to dance together. The law was in effect till 1971.

An interesting political occurrence. Presidential primary candidates have submitted their second quarter figures.Mayor Pete Buttigiez leads the pack. Raised $24.8 million. Number of those donating since the beginning of his campaign 400,00.

The figures significant.

The game plan for this evening is Dueling Bartenders at Aqua followed by dinner at La Trattoria. Hope I make both!

Enjoy your day!

Last night turned out to be special. I saw the new documentary Pavarotti. Directed by film maker Ron Howard. A masterpiece!

His recordings and videos over the years always moved me. Left me with a good feeling, touched my soul.

As his voice should. He is recognized as one of the greatest tenors of all time.

Pavarotti’s voice and life story in one film. Can’t be beat! His talent and blemishes in one undertaking.

Pavarotti is playing at the Tropic Cinema. Do yourself a favor and see it.

June is Pride Month. Key West has already had its day of parade and celebration.

Today probably the biggest parade of all will be held in New York City. The New York City WorldPride Parade.

A touch of Key West will be represented in the parade. The rainbow flag. A 100 foot section of the flag first unfurled in a Key West parade June 15, 2003.

Gilbert Baker designed and was instrumental in the creation of the flag. The original flag 1.25 miles long. Ran the length of Duval Street. From the Atlantic to the Gulf of Mexico.

A brilliance of rainbow colors. Took 3 months to make. Seventeen thousand six hundred linear yards of fabric sewed. Required hundreds to carry the flag in its first parade.

A special celebration today as part of the New York City parade. It will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising. The gay shout to New York City police and the world that they were not going to take it any more. Harassment of gays had to stop!

Included in carrying the 100 foot flag today will be current and former Key West residents, their friends and families.

For those who are part of the LGBT movement, the flag is held in high esteem. It is considered “one of the most iconic pieces of history.”

Key West is having its own small gathering to share the New York City parade. At 6:30 this evening, a party is being held at the Sidebar. Locals will have the opportunity of sharing the flag’s unfurling and participation in the parade.

Yesterday, I wrote of human sex trafficking in the United States. Sick and perverted. Today, I share another story involving sexual madness.

Reggio Emilia is a town in central Italy consisting f 10,000 residents. Eighteen persons have been arrested. The 18 included the mayor, social workers, and psychologists.

The crime brainwashing children via physiotherapy and electric shock into thinking their parents sexually abused them. The parents lost their children as a result. The “abused” were placed in foster homes where the new parents paid big dollars to acquire a child of their own.

In the meantime, the “real parents” went to jail. The mayor and his accomplices shared hundreds of thousands of dollars. The children mentally screwed up.

A lot of sick people in this world.

Today, the last day of June. Tomorrow, the first of July.

Half the year has already gone by.

I don’t know what it is. I suspect my age. It seems like the days and months move faster at this stage of my life.

Discouraging news. Suicides in the U.S. are at their highest level since World War II.

The suicide rate increased 1 percent a year from 2000 to 2006. From 2006 to 2016, 2 percent a year.

In 2017, there were 1.4 million suicide attempts. Of that number, 47,000 died.

Suicides are at a crisis level.

Gone With the Wind. One of the most successful novels and movies ever.

Margaret Mitchell published the novel this day in 1936. The movie came out in 1939.

I have always considered Rhett Butler’s line at the end of the movie as one of the best: “Frankly my dear, I don’t give a damn.”

The book’s version a slight bit different: “My dear, I don’t give a damn.”

A step into history. A showman’s step into history. Even if few admire it. I refer to Trump’s visit with Kim Jung Un at Korea’s demilitarized zone yesterday.

Trump elevated Kim Jung Un in the eyes of the world. The leader of the free world meeting with probably the most despotically sick person in the world.

Typical Trump. He sucks up to and enjoys being with the World’s worst persons.

At the recent G-20 meeting in Japan, Trump spent much of his time with the other bad guys. The likes of Putin and Xi. Trump thinks he is becoming “one of the boys.” I believe they recognize what he is and are taking advantage of him at every turn.

Trump thinks he did the proper thing. He believes he is bringing the U.S. closer to North Korea. That the closeness will ultimately result in North Korea agreeing to denuclearize, and eventually history will remember him for it.

The man is sick! History will recall him as the person who upset the world apple cart by his actions.

With regard to Trump’s moves as regards Kim Jung Un, forget not Otto Warmbier. The 22 year old U.S. student who was taken into custody by North Korea. His family worked diligently to obtain his return. To no avail.

Finally, Otto was returned to his family. He was comatose. He died 6 days after returning. How can Thump work with North Korea after what was done to U.S. citizen Otto Warmbier? How can his parents feel watching Trump suck up to Kim Jung Un? How can they feel when Trump says he “loves him?”

Something wrong here.

Enjoy your Sunday!

Florida ranks #3 in human sex trafficking in the United States. Which means there is a significant amount. The numbers continue to grow.

One initially thinks of young ladies being trafficked coming from France or Saudi Arabia. Not the case. Most are home raised Floridians. Run aways. Just a few miles from home. Some are still transported in from France and Saudi Arabia. The number small, however.

It is a $150 billion global criminal endeavor. Human sex trafficking surpasses the illegal sale of firearms. It is expected soon to outpace revenues from the illegal drug trade.

The greater portion of the Florida trade is centered in south Florida and the Keys. The business has grown so rapidly in recent years that it has outpaced local enforcement’s understanding of the issue and ability to cope with it.

Miami, Fort Lauderdale and Palm Beach 3 examples.

Miami has the problem under control. Miami has geared its ranks to deal with the problem. Fort Lauderdale and Palm Beach have not. Accordingly Fort Lauderdale and Palm Beach are basically inept at dealing with sex trafficking. Yes, they do arrest. However few if any procedures are in place for follow ups. To assure prosecutorial success. Police, prosecutors, judges, and medical personnel require specific training as to how to deal with sex trafficking cases post arrest.

Miami took the time and incurred the expense to do so. As a result Miami’s success has been obvious. Miami is the largest city in Florida. Its arrest numbers are high for sex trafficking. Its conviction/pleas on the high side also compared to Fort Lauderdale and Palm Beach.

Human sex trafficking exists in the Keys. Especially with under 18’s. I could locate no numbers indicating percentage of success with bringing Keys white slavers to justice.

Human sex trafficking growing. More required to deal with the problem. Florida being #3 is nothing to be proud of.

Spent some time at the Chart Room thursday night. Tammy bartending. Good friend David at the bar. One of the nicest people in Key West.

Met a terrific couple. Allie and Michael from Naples. In Key West for a long weekend.

Both around 27. Attractive, bright and interesting. Allie has a very giving job. Giving of herself. She teaches kindergarten autistic children.

Michael no slouch either. He has a Doctorate in physical therapy. Seven hard years of study. His specialty is helping patients avoid surgery. Interesting work.

Originally from Chicago, they now live and work in Naples.

Married 2 years. Allie told me they were trying to have children. She said they were “working” on it.

They indicated they would return to Key West. I hope so. I would enjoy chatting with them again.

Last night dinner at Donna and Terri’s. Donna cooked of course. She has the touch! She could make show leather taste good.

We enjoyed fresh caught fish.

I have not seen my lesbian wives in about 6 weeks. During that time, I was sick. Terri had a heart attack. Her second. Donna was in the hospital with pneumonia.

The black cloud was over us.

The last time I saw Terri 6 weeks ago, she was extremely tired. Obviously so. The doctors thought it was the many meds she takes re her cancers. They missed the actual problem. She was 99 percent blocked in one of the vessels near her heart. Stented and ok.

Lucky she did not die.

Last night, she was a new woman. The Terri I knew. Joyous, laughing, chatting away, etc.

She recently received word from her cancer doctors that her cancers are in remission because of the drugs she is now taking. A stalemate between the drugs and cancer. Better than the alternative.

Donna was in better health. I forgot to mention she was in the hospital again last week. She thought she was having a heart attack. No attack. Doctors not sure what. She is undergoing a ton of tests.

I read an interesting political comment this morning.

At this time in the GOP primary race for the Republican nomination in 2016, Jeb Bush and Scott Walker were leading with 22 and 17 per cent respectively. Donald Trump was in last place with 1 percent.

The Democratic race still too early to call.

A little World War I history I never knew till recently. U.S. infantry troops arrived in France in June 1917. Doughboys.

A problem. They were untrained, ill equipped, and far from ready to fight. Wilson had to show America’s support for the war soon after the U.S. got involved. So he sent 14,000 untrained troops for “show” purposes to France. Their next 4 months were spent training. General John J. Pershing set up a training camp. Four months later, America was in the fight for real.

More troops and equipment soon arrived. The troops had been trained in the U.S.

Seventeen months later, the war ended. An armistice was declared. In that short period of time, the U.S. sent 2 million soldiers over. Fifty thousand were killed.

It was the war to end all wars!

The G-20 meeting in Japan has come to an end. Trump smiling and appearing to make friends with everyone. He has sat down with China’s Xi. No final decisions arrived at. Trump however is holding future tariffs in abeyance to see if the treaty being negotiated can be finalized.

Then Trump can declare he “won” the confrontation.

Trump sat with Putin. Videos show the 2 amiable, both laughing. A reporter asked Trump is he had warned Putin to stay away from the U.S.’s 2020 election. Trump kiddingly turned to Putin and in a joking manner told Putin to stop. They both laughed.

History will show that Putin bullshitted Trump all the way.

Don’t forget North Korea’s Kim Jung Un. He and Trump write “love letters” to each other.

In a tweet, Trump asked Kim Jung Un to meet him at the DMZ border separating South and North Korea. They could shake hands and have a friendly conversation.

Trump is convinced he is going to convince Kim Jung Un to stop developing nuclear weapons. Trump is totally unaware Kim Jung Un is making a fool of him.

The social media companies sense the government is going to be on their asses soon big time. So they are doing whatever they can to show the U.S. government they are “good guys” and “cooperative.”

Tweeting is Trump’s favorite social media. He would be lost without it. If not able to use it, he would undoubtedly have withdrawal symptoms. Big time!

Tweet announced 2 days ago that influential government officials who used the site for bullying and abusive behavior would face consequences. The first news report looked like a bar to such conduct. Trump definitely in trouble!

I read this morning however that such tweet messages would not immediately be shown. Rather a label would show up on the screen indicating bad behavior. Then it was the responsibility of the reader to press  and eliminate it or go ahead and read it.

Trump’s messages will still get through.

Reminds me of Don Quixote fighting wind mills.

Enjoy your day!