I fear history may be repeating itself.

Cheney and Rumsfeld told us Iraq had weapons of mass destruction. So did others in Bush 2’s administration. We bought it. Sounded ominous.

No weapons of mass destruction were ever found. Many Americans died and wounded in a war based on improper data. A war that never should have been.

Now come along Bolton and Pompeo. Two warmongers. Men who have the ear of Trump.

Pompeo yesterday describing Iran’s recent evil deeds in the Gulf of Oman reminded me of Cheney and the weapons of mass destruction.

Pompeo sounded convincing. However, I assume most listened with skepticism after Iraq. At least, I hope.

The U.S. has been squeezing Iran under Trump. Wrongly so. Because of sanctions imposed, Iran is hurting, becoming desperate. If the tanker situation is true, Iran has been forced into the position for which it is now being condemned.

Israel and Saudi Arabia hunger for the U.S. to engage Iran in war. Israel wants to guarantee its own protection. Saudi Arabia wants Iran’s oil. Both want to be king pins in the Middle East. U.S. involvement is required. Each has sucked up to Trump since he became President.

Fortunately, Trump dislikes war. So far. The man is not stable. Becoming increasingly so. You don’t know what he will do next.

Beware, beware, beware. Such is my message.

I have another concern. You will probably think I’m crazy. But it has been in my mind for quite a while..

I worry at some point for some crazy reason Trump will want to take over the U.S.  Impose martial law on all the U.S. The man wants to be King, not President. Forever.

I have been concerned the past 2 years with Trump’s buildup of ICE. I have referred to the stronger ICE as Hitler’s Gestapo.

The Border Control people concern me also. They have increased in strength in the past 2 years.

Heavy stuff. Think about it. Be concerned. Our government itself lacks stability. Anything is possible.

To pleasant local news.

I enjoyed a long and tasteful lunch at Geiger Key yesterday. The mood just right.

Other than Geiger Key, other portions of my day were spent watching the U.S. Open. It will be the same today.

Today is Flag Day.

The first Flag Day was held in 1877. One hundred years after the adoption of the Stars and stripes. At the same time as the U.S.’s Centennial Celebration.

Congress was primarily responsible. Instructed that the U.S. flag henceforth be flown from all public buildings in the U.S.

In 1949, Congress officially designated June 14 as Flag Day, a day of national observance.

Which brings us to the story of Betsy Ross. The women alleged to have made the first American flag.

Not historical fact. Many believe Ross’ story to be myth or fantasy.

No one heard of Betsy Ross and the first flag at the time it was purportedly sewn during the Revolutionary War. It became “knowledge” 100 years later as the U.S. was preparing for its Centennial Celebration

Ross had a grandson named William Canaby. He did an historical research paper indicating his grandmother Betsy Ross had made the first flag. Canaby was of questionable reputation. Many historians believe he was a con artist trying to make a buck.

Historians so believing, view the Betsy Ross story as similar to George Washington and the cherry tree. A myth repeated often enough that some believe it to be fact.

Canaby’s story took hold, however. America at the time was extremely patriotic and Ross’ story was a perfect one for the patriotism sweeping the country. Americans at the time were anxious for any and all stories of patriotism connected to the Revolutionary War.

The Ross story has yet to receive the accolade of being fact. It is a legend. Correct, however?

There is another version. One also considered credible.

Betsy Ross operated an upholstering store in Philadelphia. She also made flags. Not uncommon at the time. People went to an upholstering business to have a flag made.

Her store was actually a front for a house of ill repute. Ross the Madam. The ladies selling their wares in back rooms.

Ross was a loyal American in the making. She wanted to help the cause. She had her “girls” elicit as much information as they could while entertaining British soldiers.

Which is truth and which is fiction?

It is important to note that Betsy Ross’ name never came up till the early 1870’s when her grandson William Canaby was trying to sell “her story” to the Centennial people.

Enjoy your day!

It has been a month since my last drink and cigarette. Did not really bother me till last night.

I only drank and smoked when out. Never at home.

I had been out a couple of times before last night with no problem. Last night, a double edged sword!

I was with Mary at the Chart Room and Pier 1. I wanted a drink. Not badly, but the desire was there. What I really wanted was a cigarette! Wow! The desire fantastic. It continued through dinner.

I handled it. I will continue to handle it.

David was at the Chart Room. Chatted with him briefly. Always good to see David.

Little Money and Coco returned to their ocean home this weekend. Both had been injured and had been treated at the Turtle Hospital.

Different turtle types. Little Monkey a 365 pound mature female green sea turtle. Coco a 250 pound loggerhead.

More than a thousand persons were on the Marathon Beach cheering their return to the sea.

Keys people love turtles!

The Hemingway Look-A-Like contest next month July 18-21. At Sloppy Joe’s, of course.

Over the years, the contest has grown. Last year more than 150 men participated.

Celebrity chef Paula Deen’s husband Michael Groover won last year. Took him 9 years.

No one wins the first time out. Takes about 10 years. Many have been participating 20 years and longer. Know they will never win. However return each year for the comradeship and fun involved.

I particularly enjoy the Running of the Bulls event. All 150 plus dressed in Spanish attire as Hemingway would have been. Running down Duval trying to escape the bulls.

Baltimore Oriole’s star Boog Powell played professional baseball in the 1960’s and 1970′.

His family moved to Key West when he was 15. He played baseball at Key West High School. On this date in 1959, Boog signed his first contract with the Baltimore Orioles.

He had a distinguished career. Played on the World Series Championship teams of 1966 and 1970. He was American League Most Valuable player in 1970.

Boog’s real name was John Wesley Powell. His dad nicknamed him Boog and it stuck. Seems in the South they called little children who were constantly getting into mischief buggers. His dad shortened it to Boog.

The Key West Citizen continues to carry excerpts from William Hackley’s diary. Hackley lived in Key West in the 1830’s.

Mosquitoes were very bad. No Mosquito Control Board. Hackley wrote in his diary for June 13: “Sauntering about and looking for a vessel to leave this place. The mosquitoes are very bad. Wind calm.”

The U.S. Open begins today. It is being played at historic Pebble Beach in California.

I was probably the worst golfer ever. Nevertheless, I enjoyed playing. The comradeship, the sights, the 19th hole.

I used to take golf trips with friends. I was fortunate to play Pebble Beach twice. A tough course! You would not believe how hard! I normally shot around a 100. When I played Pebble Beach, it was around 145.

Besides tough, the course absolutely beautiful! Adding to its beauty and difficulty, it is located on the ocean.

I will be watching the Open the next few days.

No question I am not a Trump supporter. For good reasons.

He was recently interviewed by ABC’s George Stephanopoulos. Excerpts of the interview have become available. The full interview will be aired Sunday evening.

Some Trump responses have already been reported or commented on. Including: He treats his oath to serve the U.S. faithfully with the same contempt he’s given to his wedding vows and business contracts.

Another involved his receiving dirt on his political opponents for the 2020 election from a foreign country: He might not alert the FBI if such information was offered.

This one blows me out: “I like the truth…..I’m naturally a very honest guy.”

His responses bespeak the soul of the man.

The difference between reactive and proactive. Some nations deal with a problem as it occurs. Others anticipate years earlier the possibility, and prepare how to act/counter the problem.

The U.S. is reactive. Pearl Harbor the best example. We had been warned of possible Japanese retaliation re cutting off Japan’s oil supplies. Did nothing. Took a crushing defeat at Pearl Harbor. Fortunately, the American spirit took hold and eventually made it possible for the U.S. to defeat Japan.

The U.S./China tariff war an example of proactive. China prepares for everything. Must be the working of the Asian mind. Ten years ago, China began preparing for a tariff war such as the U.S. has initiated.

Huawei’s Chairman said protective measures must be in place just in case. A decade of planning has gone into how to replace U.S. supplies. A Chinese economist said, “You don’t know what will happen, so you prepare for the worst.”

Interestingly, the Chinese people are reacting now re the U.S. tariffs as the American people did following Pearl Harbor. A determined new nationalism is evident in China. A Don’t Tread On Me attitude. Described also as don’t urinate on me!

New York Times internationally known columnist Nicholas Kristof had some comments in his article today. Concerned child malnutrition. A neglected topic from his perspective.

He wrote, “On the Upper East Side of Manhattan, you can spend $1,000 on an ice cream sundae. A Dubai shop sold a cupcake sheathed in gold leaf for just over $1,000. In America, 56 percent of dogs are overweight. Meanwhile, almost one quarter of children worldwide are stunted from malnutrition in ways that will hold them back and the world back for half a century to come…..Malnutrition is a factor in 45 percent of deaths of children under 5 worldwide, yet gets less than 1 percent of foreign aid (and much less than 1 percent of international headlines).

Enjoy your day!

I realize I am writing more about politics and world event in recent weeks and less about Key West. A reason therefore. The illness took a lot out of me. Pushing 6 weeks now. Still have extreme tired spells. Ergo, I am watching myself and moving slowly.

I plan on going out tonight. With a date. Will see if Mary is available. I’m in the mood for the Chart Room followed by dinner outside at Pier 1.

Enjoyed doing Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou last night. The show provides the opportunity for me to vent. A multitude of items were covered.

If you have not heard the show, join me next tuesday at 9.  Actually, you do not have to wait till tuesday. Each show is archived immediately. Go to my home page .keywestlou.com. On the page you will find a listing for Tuesday Talk shows. I think it is on the top bar second item in from the left. Click once. Then again on what pops up. Voila! You should be there.

As I look at today’s title, I sense it could be subject to a double meaning. Only one is intended. It involves Ronald Reagan. It can only be good!

Two years ago, I wrote about Reagan and the speech he delivered at the Berlin Wall. Today is the anniversary of that speech which Reagan delivered in front of the Berlin Wall in 1987.

His words etched in stone for history: “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!

The world knows Reagan’s words. Few however are aware how difficult it was for Reagan to get them into the speech.

Presidents have speech writers. They write and the President goes over the speech making changes. The speech goes back and forth several times before there is a final draft.

His writers were pussy footing around with the strength Reagan wanted the speech to reflect. On his first reading, he added “Tear down this wall!”

The speech went back and forth several times. Reagan would put the words in and his writers would take it out. They thought it was too strong.

Reagan wanted the message to be strong.

The fifth or sixth time around, a young staffer was with Reagan as he went over the speech. The words had been omitted again.

Reagan said to the staffer, “I’m the President, aren’t I?” The staffer responded, “Yes, sir.” Reagan said, “Then it stays in!”

Strange things happen. Especially deaths when a person is in police custody. What follows is one of the strangest!

On April 9, 2018, Everett Palmer was arrested on some insignificant charge. Jailed.

Palmer a veteran and father of 2 children.

A few days later, Palmer died when in his cell. The police report indicated he kept banging his head against the bars and such was the cause.

The family did not buy it. He was not the type to bang his head against bars.

Not satisfied with the police report, the family hired an attorney and an independent pathologist. The pathologist reported Palmer’s body was badly bruised and his heart, throat and brain were missing.

The family was correct in their suspicion. Something stunk in Denmark.

The Police Chief thereafter concluded Palmer’s death was a homicide and would be under investigation as such. The family awaits the determination of the homicide investigation.

Jurors are instructed to follow the law of the case they heard as set forth by the triall judge. In rare instances, a jury will not agree with the law nor the facts as presented. They sense something amiss.

Such is called jury nullification. Defined as when members of a criminal trial believe the defendant may be guilty, but choose to acquit him anyway because the jurors also believe that the law itself is unjust.

An immigration case. Tried by a federal court. After a one month trial, the jury could not agree. It was “hung.”

A criminal defense attorney will tell you a hung jury is as good as an acquittal. Your client walks out of the courtroom, not into a jail cell.

The case can be retried by the prosecution. Some are, some aren’t.

Scott Daniel Warren is a 36 year old geographer. He is also an activist re the rights of immigrants. He is involved with the group Mas Muertes. Translated, No More Deaths.

Warren is highly respected by the people of the Arizona area where he resides. He is referred to as “an apostle of humanitarians.”

He had been charged with 3 counts of human smuggling.

What did he actually do? Two immigrants had come across the desert. He discovered them in the bathroom of the Barn. A building that cared for immigrants. He did not bring them there. He came upon them.

His “crime” was providing them with food, water, beds and clean clothes.

People of Arizona sat on the federal jury. A number did not agree with the prosecution. Nor did they agree with the law. That is why, in the vernacular of defense attorneys, Warren walked.

Justice was served.

Trump’s new toy are tariffs. He uses them as a weapon to gain concessions from other countries.

There is an old adage something to the effect that one should beware of those he steps on while climbing a ladder. He will meet them again on way down.

Trump brought to mind Chamberlain over the weekend.

Chamberlain was Great Britain’s Prime Minister. He went to Munich to confer with Hitler. A last minute desperate attempt to avoid war. He got a signed document from Hitler assuring him there would be no war if certain concessions were made. Chamberlain made them.

There is a famous picture of Chamberlain when he returned to England. He is stepping off a plane waving the agreement. Shouting to the people…..Peace in our lifetime!

It became obvious over the weekend that Trump, pursuant to his usual course of conduct, had not been completely transparent with the American public re the tariff negotiations a few days earlier with Mexico. Trump claimed a U.S. victory. Per his usual custom.

A problem. The Mexican authorities said that basically nothing new was in the agreement. Matters therein had been agreed to several months before.

The media killed Trump for 48 hours following the disclosure.

Yesterday in a hurried news conference on the way to his helicopter to fly off to Iowa, Trump was asked about the agreement, when agreed to, etc.

He replied no problem. He put his hand in his inside jacket pocket and pulled out a one or two page document and waved it at the reporters.. Like Jack Horner pulling out a plum and saying what a good boy am I!

Trump said here is a secret provision in the agreement that clearly makes the U.S. the winner in the negotiations. He would not show the printed words nor tell the reporters what was in the paper he was holding. He said it was for Mexico to disclose and if they did not, he would down the road.

Chamberlain and Trump birds of a feather.

Now comes the best of the best.

The Guardian reported yesterday that Jared Kushner is part of a firm that has taken in $90 million since 2017. The monies coming from unnamed foreign entities.

Goldman Sachs and the Cayman Islands involved.

Kushner prior to Trump becoming President owned more than a 25 percent share in the operation. When his father in law became President, he disposed of a part leaving less than 25 percent in his name. He did this when he went to work in the White House.

It was reported Kushner failed to report his involvement in an early disclosure form.

The Guardian further reported the investments made were legal. However the source of the cash involved “murky.”

Enjoy your day!

A Morning Stew day it is! A lot to cover this morning.

Terri White has God on her side. At this very moment Donna is taking her home from the hospital. Yesterday, it was discovered she had a 99 percent blockage in one of her blood vessels. A stent was placed. Shortly, she will enjoy her home once again.

The Key West Citizen in its Today in History section is doing a daily William Hackley. Notes from his 1831 diary.

Today mentions that the night before he was visiting a friend, Major Glassel’s home. They took tea and played whist under a large mosquito bar in the house’s chamber.

I was not sure what a “mosquito bar” was. Looked it up. I should have known. It is a wooden frame covered with netting to keep out mosquitoes. As described elsewhere, it was/is the human defense against blood thirsty mosquitoes.

Note that 1831 was well before the introduction of screens for windows and doors.

The Truman Amphitheater is reflecting success. Shows scheduled. People attending.

Sunday, Slightly Stoopid James appeared with his group. A blues, funk and reggae styled band.

Four thousand watched and whooped it up. Mostly younger/millennials. Their music.

I have yet to see a show. I must attend one. One consistent with my music from another day.

One of my favorite Key West people is Christine Cordone. She and her husband Larry Smith friends for 25 years.

Christine is triple talented. She sings. Alone and with Larry. A star on the Key West scene.

She paints. An artist. Watercolors. Began around 10 years ago. A gallery was impressed and began featuring her work. Her first showing a sell out the first night. Her work continues to be in demand.

A school teacher. Thirty years. The last 22 as a kindergarten teacher. One time Teacher of the Year. She is now retired.

On saturday June 15 at 8 in the evening, the Little Room Jazz Club will sponsor a show recognizing Christine’s 30 year career in the 3 areas. Christine will sing and talk her way through the 30 years. Larry and a number of Key West musicians will back her up.

Christine is the perfect Renaissance Woman. A lifetime of work. Three different careers.

Go to her show! It will be over the top! Christine is the best!

Trump is out of his mind. He lacks respect for everyone. Even those equal in stature to him. I refer to China’s President Xi.

The China/U.S. tariff war is ongoing. Appears it will get worse before better. Could continue multiple years.

There is a G-20 meeting later this month in Osaka, Japan. Trump announced that if Xi fails to attend, he (Trump) will add additional tariffs on China. The tariffs will go into effect immediately. There is $300 billion not yet tariffed by the U.S.

Trump has once again thrown the gauntlet down to China. I do not understand how the leader of one great nation can threaten/insult the leader of another great nation.

China is considered the #2 power in the world. Economically and militarily. I suspect it could have moved into #1 spot. The U.S. now #2.

Trump is pissing on Xi and China. You do not do that to another power. In fact, it should not be done to anyone.

China has moved ahead of the U.S. the past 7 years. While we were fighting wars we should not have been and expending military monies on those wars, China was building its military forces. Its naval war vessels mostly new. Its missile and radar works perhaps developmentally ahead of our own. China has built islands with airports thereon in the China Sea where not even islands existed before.

China has gotten ready over the years for whatever might occur.

Trump is spending military budgets of $700 billion and $760 billion the past 2 years in an attempt to catch up.

Russia stands with China.

If there were a war, I don’t know how many countries would stand with the U.S. Trump has alienated our “real” friends in less than 2 years.

The amusing part of this mess is that Trump says he has a “great relationship” with Xi. If so, why the tariff war?

Last week, Mexico City announced it was decriminalizing sex work. A nice way of saying prostitution.

New York State may be doing the same thing.

A bill was introduced yesterday in the New York State Legislature to make it legal to engage in the consensual sale of sex. The bill also vacates prior convictions for sex work.

A coalition has formed to push the decriminalization bill. The group is called Decrim NY. The women involved take the position that sex work is work. It pays more than a normal job for most and helps them and their families subsist.

Prostitution is no big deal in New York at the present time. It is only a misdemeanor punishable by up to 3 months in jail and a fine up to $500.

The Johns are also susceptible presently in New York. Men soliciting sex can be arrested and face prison and fines also. The bill would eliminate the charge.

America is experiencing an oil boom. It will continue to do so for many yeas to come. At the same time, OPEC is in retreat. Going downhill. OPEC hit a 5 year low in May.

I continue to be happy when OPEC suffers. Saudi Arabia the moving force in OPEC. The Saudis are our friends. They gave us $4 a gallon gasoline and many believe were behind 9/11.

One of the blogs I read frequently is the Justice Building Blog. Yesterday’s was titled Appeasement. I share with you certain portions. They are self=explanatory.

Pre-World War II, countries capitulated to Hitler’s demands The result, World War II.

“The lesson from pre-World War II Germany is that bullies will go as far as the nations around them allow them to go.  Dictators will manufacture a crisis, and then seek to resolve it, earning the praise of their citizens.”

“President Trump declares an “emergency” at the U.S./Mexican border. Claiming there is a crisis, Trump threatens ruin upon the Mexican economy, threatening to raise tariffs 5 percent a month on Mexican products unless Mexico capitulates to Trump’s demands. Friday, the Mexican President appeased Trump, acquiescing to his demands.”

“The thing about history is that you never know where a dictator who manufactures a crisis will pop up. Even tragically, as President of the United States.”

“What we do now will be judged as harshly by history, as history now judges Chamberlain and other European leaders in 1938-1939.”

Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou tonight at 9. Join me. Listen to my sincere expressions about everything I believe is being screwed up in the world. You may not agree. However, I guarantee you will enjoy. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou.

Enjoy your day!

On sunday morning while asleep, Terri White had a heart attack. At the moment, she is in the Key West hospital undergoing a heart catheterization. If there is a blockage, a stent will be placed.

I spoke with her earlier this morning, she sounded well. As if nothing had happened.

The lady is a trouper. Five years ago, she had her first heart attack. Then some very bad cancer which she survived. Two weeks ago, she was told she was in remission. Two years ago, she began going blind. Today, totally blind.

Terri deals with affliction..

Wife Donna was in the hospital 2 weeks ago. Pneumonia.

The girls are doing well!

Bad things happen in bunches. Even their car is sick. Donna went out to the parking lot to drive home to get something and found her car would not turn over. She had it towed to a garage this morning.

Later this morning, I am going to the hospital and leave my car with Donna.

We are constantly barraged these days with…..Plastics are no good! Not biodegradable. Screwing everything up. Super markets considering going back to paper bags. Plastic straws being replaced by paper ones. Etc.

A cure/use for plastic may have been found.

Washington State University completed a study which revealed jet fuel and diesel can be made from plastic bags and water bottles. The study involved melting plastic waste at a high temperature with activated charcoal. The result: jet fuel.

Robots continue to take over. Even to replacing police dogs.

Boston Dynamics has invented a robotic dog. Does everything, including opening doors. The robotic dog is called Spot.

Spot was introduced this past week to the public at a conference in Las Vegas.

Boston Dynamics is doing some final tweaking and expects to have Spot ready for sale in a few months.

Sexual perversity among the religious first became public about 45 years ago.

It continues.

Two stories.

The first involves an Elizabeth Presbytery priest in New Jersey. Adult men involved, not children.

The priest convinced adult men that something evil was within them. They required an exorcism. Such would allow him to remove the evil spirits from their bodies.

A significant number of men over the years subjected themselves to the exorcism. He had them completely undress. Then he performed oral sex upon them. He ingested the ejaculation which he then spit into a bag. Following the ejaculation into the bag came a tiny metal ball which he said represented the evil within the men.

Additionally, he felt it necessary to place his tongue in their mouths to determine if any evil spirits were hiding therein.

Over the years, many men submitted themselves to the procedures described.

It is claimed none of this became public to his church till April 2018. At the time, the Elizabeth Ministry began an investigation. The investigation is complete. All complaints were found to be credible.

Three complaints going back to 1999 have been reported to the police.

The pastor involved is no longer involved with ministering. All else remains in abeyance at this time.

One observation. The men involved/abused had to be wacky to a degree to submit themselves to such a situation. They were adults, not children.

The other story involves a Catholic priest in St. Louis who pled guilty this past week to  molesting 2 young boys between 1991 and 1994. The actual number of molestations involved 30 children over a period of 25 years.

The priest would dress the children like baby Jesus before molesting them. The parents and children thought nothing of it at the time. He told the parents the children would be participating in a religious pageant.

The priest began the molestations in the 1980’s. He was not caught till recently.

There is a wrong and sadness involved here. Beyond the molestations themselves. Apparently his superiors became aware. Rather than report him to the authorities, his actions were covered up.He was transferred 3 times to 3 different states to continue his work as a priest.

Benjamin Franklin a man of many deeds. One of the first things taught children in their early school years concerns Franklin and electricity. Franklin went out in a rainstorm and collected the charge in a Leydan jar. Such enabled him to demonstrate the connection between lightning and electricity.

The event occurred on this day in 1752.

On this day in 2007, the last episode of The Sopranos was aired. The show should be brought back. Many want to know what happened to the family in the diner.

A prayer for Terri.

Enjoy your day!

Key West Pride Week is coming to an end. Today and tomorrow remain. Perhaps the best of days. Today, the Key West Pride Street Fair. Tomorrow, the Key West Parade.

Both fun times.

Key West’s first Pride Parade took place in 1982. The parade was cancelled 2 days before. Many people at the time still uncomfortable with gayness. Those who cancelled the Parade said it was not necessary. Key West was accepting of gays.

If so, why did they cancel it?

A small group of gays disagreed. Without the City’s permission or a parade permit, they went ahead.

Twenty participated. Small. However, big trees from little acorns grow. It was the beginning of Key West Pride!

Still taking it slow. Only went to dinner last night. Drove up the road to Geiger Key. Enjoyed a piece of fish. Absorbed by the view and other customers.

A relaxing place to dine.

Neither booze nor cigarettes for me. A good boy was I!

The moon is a part of Mars. Donald Trump told the world it was so yesterday.

My education obviously neglected. I never knew.

We have been told an agreement has been reached with Mexico. We should be ashamed. Trump should be ashamed. It was shoved down their throats!

What choice did Mexico have? Go to war? Militarily, not a choice. A comment this morning to one of the articles compared Mexico to the U.S. militarily as an ant attacking a human.

Typical Trump approach. The bully approach. A big guy picking on a little one.

The agreement is not finalized. The tariff suspended for 90 days. Trump can do whatever he wants during the 90 days or at its end. He is holding a hammer over Mexico’s head.

You don’t treat a neighbor like that.

Mexico has agreed to send 6,000 National Guard troops to Mexico’s southern border to stop immigrants at that point. Humorous!

I am not certain Mexico is in a position to deliver the 6,000 National Guard troops.

On December 1, 2019, the newly elected President of Mexico in his inaugural address to his Congress asked that the Congress reactivate the National Guard. They did so in February. In name only. Still had to staff it, provide regulations, fund, etc.

Mexico has taken some troops from its Army and Navy to begin the process. Congress authorized 60,000 troops. Those taken from the other services obviously not sufficient. The Guard is nowhere near formalized at this point.

My impression is Mexico was pushed into agreeing to many Trump inspired items in order to avoid the tariff that was to take effect monday.

What happens in 90 days?

No blog tomorrow. I have a 9 am ultrasound scheduled of my abdomen. Precautionary, my doctor says.

Tomorrow is Sunday. I went to schedule the ultrasound tuesday. Sunday the first time they could take me. A shortage of ultra sound machinery or a shortage of technicians? Whatever, a long time to wait.

Enjoy your day!

I’m in the mood for a Morning Stew. Here is #12. Topics as they appear in my notes without any specific order.

Tariff war with Mexico? We still do not know. I suspect Trump’s I want to show the world how tough I am will prevail. He will force at least the first 5 percent tariff to be imposed monday.

What consistently bothers me re the southern border problem is Trump created it. True, the U.S. has had border problems for years. But we dealt with them. Trump permitted the problem to get out of hand so he could get his wall.

The migrant problem has reached previously unimaginable proportions since Trump got involved. An added expense. He has to save somewhere. He has come up with another plan that will hurt big time the migrant children.

Undocumented migrant children are living in shelters across the U.S. The government number of children is 13,000. I do not believe it. Significantly more.

I recently read somewhere that the May numbers alone are 57,000. The numbers represent those traveling alone, without parents.

Trump has advised that education services, legal services, and recreation will no longer be provided. Too expensive. The program is running dangerously low on money.

Joe Phillips stopped by yesterday. He is repair man #1. I had a hose problem. He purchased the parts and remedied the problem quickly.

I was tired in the afternoon. Took a 2 hour nap.

Last night, the Blue Macaw. Needed to get out. Still not in a hurry to do so.

Enjoyed a drink (diet Pepsi) and chatted with tourists.

The Blue Macaw has been sold. The new owners are doing a bit of remodeling. I noticed a new bar top.

Pope Francis has to be a man of strength. God has to be holding him up. He is in the middle of 2 warring factions in the Vatican. Homosexual cardinals who hide their homosexuality and homosexual cardinals who openly admit to it.

Francis was the compromise choice when elected. He was straight.

Francis’ goal is to reform the interior life of the Church. He is having a difficult time!

The first major sea battle of World War II was Midway. It may have been the biggest of the War. It was the most important.

The Japanese had bombed Pearl Harbor 6 months earlier. The U.S. was not prepared for War. The U.S. was taking a hell of a beating in the Pacific.

The Battle of Midway was a 4 day sea and air battle. The Battle ended on this day in 1942. The U.S. the unquestionable victor. Sunk 4 Japanese carriers as opposed to their sinking only 1 of the U.S. The U.S. won the air battles also. Significantly more Japanese than U.S. planes shot down.

The U.S. win proved the Japanese navy was not invincible.

Interesting. AXIOS is advertising a show it is sponsoring on HBO at 6 sunday evening. It will provide an exclusive tour of Steve Bannon’s new populism school located in an Italian monastery.

I saw the advertisement this morning on the internet.

Bannon’s Italian school is not going to open. At least not at the monastery.

It was reported last week that the monastery owners had called off the contract. The rent had to be guaranteed. Bannon provided a letter from a Norwegian bank guaranteeing the rental payments. Like $110,000 per month. Turns out the letter of guaranty was a fraud. It was signed by someone who had not worked at the bank for years.

Recall Bannon is growing in influence at the Vatican. He sides with the conservative Cardinals. He wants them to overthrow Francis and replace him with a conservative leader. Failing, he threatens to build another Vatican outside the walls of the present one and staff it with conservatives.

All is well that ends well.

The Key West Express is a boat that travels between Fort Myers and Key West. The crew and passengers had an exciting time recently.

A mayday call had gone out. The power boat Ohana was burning 24 miles off Marco Island. The Key West Express was only 10-15 minutes away. It effected the rescue.

When it arrived, the boat was engulfed in flames. The 2 owners were in a dingy holding their 2 dogs.

As they climbed onto the Express, the passengers cheered them.

Today is National Donut Day. A free donut at the following stores: DuckDonuts, Dunkin’ Donuts and Krispy Kreme. There are more though I am not sure who they are.

Krispy Kreme’s goal is to give away free 1 million donuts today. If successful, they promise to do it again later in the month.

Rachel Palms is a 47 year old woman whose story is both bad and good.

She had been having terrible headaches, hallucinations, all kinds of mental problems.

She was diagnosed as having brain cancer.

She underwent brain surgery at Mount Sinai Hospital in Miami. No brain cancer, no tumor. Instead the doctors found a tapeworm. It was small and encapsulated in an egg shell.

Rachel is thrilled that it was not brain cancer. She will not be required to go through chemo, radiation, and whatever she would have had to do had it been cancer. On the other hand, a tapeworm?

A measles update. The number of U.S. cases exceeds 1,000 and growing. An epidemic. The Philippines has 33,000. All because some parents did not want their children vaccinated or a vaccine was not available in the country where the child lived.

I close with a problem I am well familiar. Oder Americans falling down. Brain injuries and hip fractures common.

I was required to do 6 months physiotherapy some 8 years ago because of the frequency of my falls. I had to learn how to walk and do steps again. I still occasionally fall. However, much less.

Doctors believe the problem exists because older people live longer, live longer independently, and many live longer with chronic conditions.

Enjoy your day!

The President deserves credit. He was Presidential this morning at Normandy. His speech proper for the event. No personal interjections by him regarding any problems or dislikes he has. He blasphemed no one.

Trump showed empathy. The first time as President.

He was President Trump. I was proud of him.

I spent yesterday afternoon researching D-Day. Tons of notes. I came across little personal stories. I intended to write not only about D-Day itself, but also subsequent visits by Presidents. Trump’s presentation this morning made me change my mind.

One oldie comment. Reagan speech at another D-Day anniversary zeroed in on Pointe du Hoc. Located on France’s northern shore. A series of cliffs running along the beach. The cliffs 100 feet high. On top significant German gun placements.

The job of our boys was to climb the cliff and take out the guns. They had trained to make the climb.

Ropes were thrown up, attached to the ground at the top of the cliff, the men trained to climb up hand over hand.

The Germans on top soon discovered them. The Germans were shooting own on the climbing soldiers, throwing grenades at them, and cutting the ropes.

Some finally made it to the top and took out the German guns.

Some were killed, others wounded.

Their exploit reminded me of The Charge of the Light Brigade. An impossible task. As they raced up the hill, guns on both sides and to the front of them. Nevertheless, onward they rode.

Our soldiers had a similar difficult task. Climb up the ropes, no free hand to shoot back, etc. Nevertheless, they climbed onward also.

Dinner with Mary at Roostica last night. Enjoyed half a broiled chicken. The best tasting chicken ever. The menu said the chickens were either organically raised or fed only organic food. Whatever, so good!

Amazon and Washington Post owner Jeff Bozos in Key West last week on vacation. Stayed at the Marquesa Hotel.

Writer and poet Aldo Haskell a Key West native. His most recent success The Jews of Key West. Extremely popular in Key West and elsewhere.

Haskell a poet in addition. He recently was designated Key West’s official Poet Laureate.

Congratulations in order.

Pride Week. This week. Key West obviously celebrating it big. Five days of play readings, talent shows, pool parties, street fairs, and best of all a fantastic parade!

Key West is conscious of the turtles that frequent our waters. Especially during hatching season. I learned something new. Turtles return to the same beach from whence they were hatched to mate and lay eggs. Even years later. Some system in their heads creates magnetic waves that direct them.

If the Mexican tariff problem is not settled today, Trump says he will impose a 5 percent tariff on all goods coming from Mexico to the U.S. What bugs me is the border problem is of Trump’s making. He screws up and then makes someone else pay for his wrongdoing.

Trump a typical Republican! He knows how to spend money. Many times wastefully.

He flew to Ireland between the England and France trips. Appears merely for the hell of it. Probably wanted to see his golf course which reportedly is not doing well.

Trump and his group required 4 limousines. They were rented from a local undertaker. Four Mercedes E Class limos. Cost for 4 days just under $1 million. Actually $233,748 per car.

Rip off time!

Still feeling good. Keeping my fingers crossed!

Enjoy your day!

Bad things happen.

One is female genital mutilation. A religious or geographical custom for hundreds of years. Generally in Africa, Asia and the Middle East. Considered a rite of passage.

A young girl/lady has her clitoris cut and removed. Or, her vaginal opening narrowed. The reasons for this brutal experience then and now are sexual control and manageability of the victim.

Two hundred million girls and women have suffered from the procedure worldwide. The number excludes the U.S.

Female genital mutilation is cloaked in secrecy in the U.S. The suspicion is it is on the rise. Especially with immigrants arriving from Africa, Asia and the Middle East. Many bring their customs with them.

Besides not wanting anyone to know, there is also the problem that the procedure is considered taboo. Those who have had their clitoris or vaginas mutilated are reluctant to come forward. The shame of it all.

In 2017, 2 Detroit doctors were charged with performing the procedure on 9 underage girls. Six mothers were also charged.

They were charged under a federal law passed in 1996 banning female genital mutilation. A Michigan federal judge dismissed the charges on the ground that the federal law overstepped its bounds. Such matters were solely within the purview of the states.

The U.S. Department of Justice refused to appeal. Note this case was decided after Trump took office. It was his Department of Justice that refused to appeal.

My research indicates no state has passed an anti-mutilation law.

Something may happen in the next few years. Groups are popping up all over the country. They generally are composed of women who have suffered such mutilations and know of the problem first hand.

One thing I have mentioned and written about in the past concerns immigrants and Sharia Law. Generally of the Muslim faith. They come to the U.S. for the better life. However, they want to bring their laws and customs with them. A no no. My position has always been if you want to live here, you live under U.S. laws, Not Sharia. If you don’t like it, return from whence you came!

I feel better. A thousand times better.

I have received many e-mails expressing happiness for my recovery. Interestingly, pancreatitis is a somewhat prevalent problem. Many of those who wrote had a friend who was similarly afflicted. Most required hospitalization. Intravenous feeding. Dehydration big time. One was hospitalized for a whole month.

Most of the e-mails agreed with what I had been told re cause. Alcohol and smoking.

I thank all who wrote for their concern and good wishes.

My podcast show last night. Tuesday a with Key West Lou. Dwelled on Trump’s London visit, Mueller’s report not finished properly, and the various countries the U.S. has tariff wars with at the present time or will be in the immediate future.

During the month I was under the weather, I had to skip the podcast one tuesday. The energy was not there. I also stopped guesting on Laurie Thibaud’s show. Too tired.

This is the day before. The day before D-Day.

Things were happening preparatory to actual invasion the next morning. One thousand British bombers dropped 5,000 tons of bombs on German guns at Normandy. Three thousand Allied ships loaded with troops and equipment were on their way across the English Channel.

Operation Overlord was on its way!

This day in 1919 a big one in the history of empowerment of women and recognition that they are co-equals with men. The U.S. Congress passed the 19th Amendment. The new Amendment had to be ratified by the States. Did not take long. The men knew they had been defeated.

Enjoy your day!

My wayward life has caught up with me. I am 83. It was a good run.

Alcohol and smoking will not be a part of my life from this point forward.

The medical problem that has been affecting me for a month has been diagnosed and treated. Pancreatitis. Alcohol a major cause. Smoking right behind.

Interestingly, last year I lost 62 pounds. On a high protein/low carb diet. High protein  a fatty diet from my perspective. The diet did not help. I have reverted. Must be high carb/low fat from this point forward.

A month ago, I started feeling terrible. Every day. It seemed that every problem I have been afflicted with the past 5 years returned. All at one time!

I was exhausted daily. When tired, it was total. Came in 5-6 hour spurts. Then went away as quickly as it had hit me. Up and down stairs became an ordeal. Huffing and puffing. Down as difficult as up.

I became wobbly again. Started losing my balance, falling again.

My eyes started going. My most recent prescription for new glasses only a year ago. Suddenly, everything had a tinge of blurriness to it. Because of all the research I do, I have an extra screen attached to my computer. Two and a half feet by one and a half. It became difficult to read.

One drink and I was drunk. Two or more the same reaction. Booze was hitting me hard.

Oily stools. Enough said.

Nausea immediately following eating. Not severe, but there. I started eating less.

Weight loss terrific. If I wanted to lose more weight. Hit 15 pounds last week.

Appetite was gone. I could not finish a meal. A full feeling constantly.

Overall, I felt liked shit!

I thought it was my heart again. Exhaustion previously a big part of the heart problem. Saw my heart doctor and primary care physician within days of each other.

Dr. McIvor my heart doctor. I have been his patient for about 15 years. Trust him implicitly. He ran a ton of tests. Heart good! No problem there.

Now I was in the hands of my primary care physician Dr. Norris. He has been my doctor for only 1.5 years. This was his test!

Parasites in my stool? No parasites.

What, then?

More tests, more blood work.

Norris caught it. Pancreatitis.

My initial concern was pancreatic cancer. Everyone who gets it dies. He assured me cancer not involved.

I never knew what the pancreas does. I learned.

The pancreas is a long flat gland tucked behind the stomach in the upper abdomen. It is sort of a last stop for food ingested before it goes into the small intestine.

Enzymes are involved as food passes through. Somehow the pancreas activates these enzymes. They leave the pancreas with the food. I either was not making enough enzymes or the ones being made remained in the pancreas instead of leaving.

Excuse if I misdescribe. I am not a doctor.

Whatever enzymes remain,  attack the pancreas. Causing the problems I was experiencing.

A change of diet, no alcohol or smoking, and a terrific pill Creon 12,000 taken 3 times a day. Took 10 days for everything to kick in. I am supposedly fine today. Stopped taking the Creon last night. Hope I do not need it again.

Norris passed the test. My test. I now have faith in him as I do McIvor.

I went out last night! Walked into the Chart Room. Cannot describe the exhilaration I felt by being there. Almost giddy. I did not expect such a reaction.

It was good to see friends again. Jean and Joe Thornton, Sheila, and Mary.

Drank one short diet soda. With lime.

Followed by dinner at La Trattoria.

Pasta good for me. With marinara sauce. I am to avoid meat sauce. La Trattoria has a close marinara sauce. No meat. Too spicy, however. Not discouraged. Will find something else on the menu.

If you are concerned about no more drinking or smoking, fear not. I do what I am told when it comes to professional advice.

Twelve years ago, it was my heart. It was enlarged. Alcohol induced. Alcoholic cardiomyopathy. I was told stop drinking and the heart will return to normal size. I never had a drink for 1.5 years. Nor did I smoke. Stopped the moment the doctor told me about the enlarged heart and what to do.

I am human. When the heart reduced, I went back to drinking and smoking. With the doctor’s understanding. Just drink less, he said. Substantially less. Less become more over time. I have been overdoing it recently. One to four drinks a night.

Whatever, time to pay for my sins.

Tonight, Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. Join me at 9 for what I guarantee will be a fast moving interesting half hour. I promise not to talk about my pancreatitis. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou.

Enjoy your day!