My two Christmas blogs took precedence over normal blog activity. I have a number of notes that would have been mentioned were it not for the Christmas blogs.

Waste not, want not. I want to set forth briefly the items not mentioned. No particular order involved.

— Christmas eve and Christmas day at Lisa’s. Best Christmas eve meal Lisa has ever prepared. Only one fish however. My daughter has been become Americanized.

Desserts especially good.

Robert and Ally are young adults. I enjoy talking with them. I sat at the children’s table with them for dinner.

Ally enjoys painting. Gets in and out of it since a very early age. Back into it. Gave me a beautiful hand painted picture of mail boxes. I have already hung it in the living room.

Robert gave me a book involving thoughtful matters. Like is there a God? He was more excited with the card that accompanied it. He is taking some sort of video course in high school. He made the card. Three steps involved, if I understood correctly. He explained how he made it. I was as excited as he. And impressed!

— LeBron James spoke out against the NFL owners. “A bunch of old white men” with “slave mentality” toward players. Describes their attitude as “the old plantation mentality.” Believes they are more concerned about money and fear Trump.

— Went to Hot Dog Church sunday evening. Got there late. Only a few ladies remaining. Laurie bartending.

I will be doing Laurie’s radio show on 107.5 FM thursday from 4-5. Appears I will guest weekly at that time.

— Hot Dog Church followed by the Chart Room. Great evening!

Two couples. Tourists. Never met till that night. Each couple have been visiting Key West for 30 years. Great history!

One of the husbands retired. He has a part time job. Times marathons. Does it periodically. Travels everywhere.

A solo guy was at the end of he bar. A gem of historical fact. He was in he Marines stationed in Key West in 1965. Now a full time resident owning a home here.

— The World Happiness Report 2018 recently came out. It lists the most happy and most miserable countries.

Top 3 most happy are Finland, Norway and Denmark in that order. The U.S. ranked 18. Burundi the least happy ranked at 156. Two countries the U.S. presently has an interest in ranked. Afghanistan 145, Syria 150.

— When will the U.S. learn that Middle Easterners hang in there. As the Vietnamese did against the U.S. in that war.

The Soviets sent tanks and 8,500 men into Afghanistan in December 24, 1975. Afghan fighters declared a jihad. Guerrilla war ensued. The Soviets left 10 years later defeated. And broke! The war had destroyed the Russian economy.

The U.S. learned nothing from that history. We have been in Afghanistan 17 years now. Crazy! Trump recently announced he was pulling half of our military contingency out. Seven thousand five hundred service personnel.

The U.S should never have gone in, especially without an exit strategy. The U.S. should not now be pulling out without a specific plan. A double screw up.

— My love Terri White sings this week. Four consecutive nights at the Little Room Jazz Club. 12/27-12/30. A Fringe Theater presentation. Show time 8. I will be there New Year’s Eve. Broadway tunes.

— Key West and bicycles continue to be in the news. Apparently the City ordered a study 2 years ago. The Key West Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan is now ready for release. The City Commission will discuss it at its January 15 meeting.

This I’ve got to see!

Total cost to implement the Master Plan $28.6 million. Payment in 2 phases: $9.6 million and $19 million.

— A resident complained publicly in one of Key West’s news papers. Key west is becoming like San Francisco. We have a poop problem. Only in season, only in Old Town. The inference tourists don’t give a shit

— Trump is now on the Fed’s ass. Claims the market is down because the Fed raised interest rates. Suggesting he is going to fire the Chairman who he appointed this past year.

Trump claims…..”The only problem our economy has is the Fed.” I say…..”The only problem our economy has is Trump.”

— The shutdown has causes not anticipated. It also evidences people not hurt who should suffer with those being hurt.

White House Xmas tree lights went out.

Congress has a gym and spa. Must be a beauty. Still operating during the shut down. Speaker Ryan used it the past few days.

The Congressional gym and spa is considered “essential” under the law.

— Stock market keeps going down. Down this year 20 percent. The worse drop since the Great Depression.

Market this morning before opening sitting around 2,700. If it breaks 2,000 there will be a recession. A world wide one.

Who do we thank? Donald Trump! He has destabilized everything.

— How many more children have to die?

An 8 year old Guatemalan refugee boy sitting on the border took ill. Authorities got him to a hospital. He died. Autopsy results awaited.

Two weeks ago, a 7 year old Guatemalan girl died.

Mr. President, have you no conscience?

–The wall. Now a fence or whatever.

Trump claims he signed a contract for the construction of 150 miles of the wall in Texas to begin construction next week. Who is he kidding? He has no authority to do something like that outright. The House is part of the approval process and cannot be ignored.

Going to be interesting how he explains his way out of this one. I am willing to bet there is no signed contract. This is just another of Trump’s falsehoods thinking he can bullshit the American people. Those days are over!

— Trump time continues. Once again, he failed to visit American troops stationed in foreign lands on Christmas. Just as he failed to visit the American military cemetery in France.

Called no respect.

He did telephone soldiers on Christmas morning.

— Studies reveal more and more Americans are living into their 90s. The University of California did a study on the whys and wherefores. Sixteen hundred people involved. Study began 2003.

Results interesting.

Alcohol and coffee consumption on a daily basis will help people to live past 90. Abstinence will not. Alcohol should be consumed in moderation, however.

Another test finding is that people overweight in their 70s live longer than those underweight.

Glad I did not begin my diet till I was 82.

— Harry Truman. As always, Truman loved Key West and Key West loves Harry Truman.

Truman made 11 visits to Key West. Described as working vacations. Spent a total of 175 days.

Truman died this day in 1972.

–I am caught up!

Enjoy your day!

An American Christmas today dramatically different from its origins. As different as day and night.

To understand Christmas as it developed in the United States, one has to understand its European beginnings. Going back many centuries. Even before the birth of Christ.

Christmas is rooted in paganism. Hard to believe. However, true.

Romans were the first to hold a week long party. Involved all kinds of debauchery. Including drinking, sex, and murder.

The Greeks followed with Lucien’s Saturnalia. More despicable. Included human sacrifice. Saturnalia considered the actual predecessor of Christmas.

At some point in time, the Catholic Church desired to increase its numbers. I am not sure of the exact year. Could have been around 1300 A.D.

The Catholic Church negotiated with Saturnalia. An agreement was reached. The pagans joined the Catholic Church based on the Church’s promise the pagans could continue their evil ways. The pagan group that joined became known as the Saturnalia Carnival.

Many Europeans frowned upon Christmas thereafter because of the pagan influence on the holiday.

Which brings us to Christmas on American shores.

The Puritans may be described as America’s earliest Scrooges. They outlawed Christmas because of its pagan base.

Boston outlawed Christmas for the same reason from 1659-1681.

The colonies neither recognized nor practiced Christmas till after the American Revolution.

Whether by the Puritans, Boston, or the colonists, the English influence controlled. Christmas decried in England and on American shores.

Christmas got its first foothold in the Americas following the Revolution. The Americans having won, England’s influence diminished with time.

Acceptance of Christmas from the end of the Revolution to today, a creeping thing growth wise.

Books were a major influence. Washington Irving and Charles Dickens notable authors.

The Civil War exhibited a difference between the North and South not generally known. The South loved and celebrated Christmas. The North paid no attention to Christmas.

Lincoln recognized the difference. He wanted people to know God was on the side of the North also. He had a prominent artist do a painting which became the cover of a national magazine. The picture showed God standing over a Union soldier.

The Sun of New York helped late in the 19th century when it published a response to a letter from a little girl. She had asked if there was a Santa Claus. The response: “Yes. Virginia, there is a Santa Claus.”

Christmas still was not particularly popular in the U.S. Celebrated by some, not by many. World War II was its turning point.

Christmas was celebrated more during the War. However, it took off popularity wise big time following the War. And has continued so since. Victory in war, happiness with no war, whatever. Something ignited America’s enthusiasm for Christmas and it has remained so since.

What I have written this morning is a much shorter version of my blog of December 24, 2015. More detail. Describes pagan activities that are reflected in today’s celebration of Christmas. The Christmas tree and mistletoe being two examples.

The blog is archived by date on my Key West Lou page. www.keywestlou.com. On the right side of the page is the column labeled Archive. Take it from there.

Caution. Two blogs bear the same date 12/24/15. The second is An American Christmas.

Merry Christmas! And if I were Santa Claus on Christmas Eve flying from a rooftop on my reindeer driven sleigh, I shout…..And to all a good night!

For those of Italian extraction, Christmas Eve is the more important time of Christmas. The Christmas Eve meal the determining factor.

The seven fish meal of Christmas Eve much awaited as the holiday approaches. Similar to dreams of sugar plums. Except, fish!

Christmas Eve dinner a large gathering for my family. Generally 20-25 for dinner itself. One year, 30.

These are the sit downs. No dining room table large enough to accommodate all. A kid’s table prepared. Sometimes 2. Kitchen table and a card table.

Age determined who sat at the big people’s table. The youngest at the children’s tables.

Took a long time to graduate to the big people’s table. I can only recall death creating a place. Some of the kid’s waited into adulthood. One of my daughters was 24 before a seat was available.

Then there were friends who stopped in to extend holiday greetings. Some intentionally popped in during dinner so as to enjoy the food. Others for desert.

The seven fishes. The same each year in my home. Great food!

Large broiled Maine lobster tails, cold shrimp, shrimp fried in egg batter, fried smelts, cod, stuffed calamari, and baked clams.

The lobster tails were the last to be served.

Cold shrimp during the cocktail hour before dinner. Shrimp fried in egg batter, also. Crispy and delicious.

Smelts! I love fried smelts. Rarely get them these days. Actually, years. Tiny fish deep fried. Eaten crispy, head and all. Delicious.

Cod soft and tasty. The saltiness and toughness long gone. The cod marinated in oil and herbs for 3 weeks. Mixed daily.

Baked clams are baked clams. With one difference. Prepared at home. For some reason, made them taste better.

The stuffed calamari the highlight of the meal.

Large tentacles. The size of a condom or larger. Cut up in 4 inch lengths. Each washed by hand. Took hours. To be sure the calamari was absolutely clean. A vein ran through each piece which had to be removed.

Each piece stuffed with bread crumbs, eggs, parsley and I don’t know what else. One end hand sewed before the stuffing. The other end following the stuffing.

Then boiled for a time. Following which the calamari was cooked in the sauce being prepared for the pasta portion of the meal.

At dinner, a huge bed of stuffed calamari over a bowl of linguine was served.

Each of the fishes tasted even better the next morning cold out of the refrigerator. Don’t know why, but that’s the way it was.

During the course of the morning my children and some of their children would show up to enjoy the cold fish dishes.

Spencer’s at the Reach is serving a special meal this evening. The seven fishes! Were I not enjoying Christmas Eve with Lisa and family, I would be there.

Lisa will prepare a seven fish meal. One problem, however. We have yet to reach 7. I think the most one year was 4. Whatever, the meal will be delicious.

Last but not least is desert. Christmas cookies. The women start baking them 3 weeks before. All kinds. Nothing like black coffee with anisette and too many cookies to top off the meal.

I had so much I wanted to share this morning. Blog too long already however. Tomorrow I will write about the American Christmas. From the Puritans to present day.

Enjoy your tonight!

Yesterday afternoon felt like work. Running around searching for Christmas gifts. I have always been last minute in this regard.

Evening time at the Chart Room special.

Two couples I had met last year were in the Chart Room. Chatted long with each.

Lana and Gary from Crystal River. Just north of Tampa.

Their 10th visit to Key West. Were engaged and married here. This trip staying at Herron Court.

They have a 27 year old Air Force son.

Gary originally from New York. Works as a ticket broker. Lana teaches second grade.

Lana a fisherwoman. Loves the sport. On the way home, she and Gary are stopping off at Islamorada for a few days to fish. Lana has fished the area before. She was well aware that Islamorada is referred to as the fishing capital of the world.

The couple will be in Key West over Christmas. I suggested they attend a Christmas eve event at 24 North. A holiday dinner party. Two seatings. Six and eight. Terri White singing at both.

As I shared Terri with them, Lana excitedly said she sat next to her while she and Gary were visiting 801 in the afternoon. Right she was! Donna was there also.

Key West definitely a small world.

The other couple Annie and Trent from Columbus, Ohio. Both relatively young. Annie a beauty.

They are in business together. As independent contractors, they package and sell french fries and lemonade to carnivals.

Married in Key West 4 years ago. They visit once a year.

Annie told me they want to rent a house here for 4-6 weeks later in the season. They will be a welcome addition to Key West during the time they are here.

Major event

Major event tonight! Hot Dog Church returns to the Back Bar at Aqua. A lesbian gathering. Food and drink. I am privileged to attend because of my lesbian wives Donna and Terri.

Recently, I have noticed some visitors who who read this blog think I am actually married to the ladies. I refer to them as my lesbian wives because I have known them so long and love them both dearly. The feeling is mutual.

Laurie will be bartending. The best!

Howard Johnson was big time restaurant wise when I was a kid. Every city had at least one. My Dad used to take us to the Utica and Syracuse ones for Sunday breakfast. Howard Johnson’s was also known for its ice cream. Oh, so good!

At one time there were more than 1,000 Howard Johnson’s in the United States. I read yesterday only one remains. On Lake George in the northern regions of New York State.

The good come and go. It is the way of the world.

What is good for the goose is good for the gander generally rings true.

Rep.-elect Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez called for Congressional salaries to be furloughed during any next government shut down. Can’t do it with the present shut down. Congress conveniently exempted itself from no salaries payed during a shut down.

Our Washington gladiators know how to care for themselves. Were you aware if any had been involved in some sexual venture, the government would pay the settlement? With our tax dollars, of course.

I am not sure, however I believe a bill to remove such legislation was before Congress recently. I am not aware if it passed and became law.

There are sayings that run into each other which basically mean the same. Like Don’t Look A Gift Horse In The Mouth, Miracles Do Happen, and God Moves In Strange Ways.

Eleven year old Roxie Doss was diagnosed with a rare cancer. A brain tumor. Called diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma.

Inoperable.

She was given radiation for a while.

Her family and community prayed for a miracle. She got it! The inoperable brain tumor vanished. Totally disappeared.

The doctors have no explanation.

A result where one says thank you Lord and moves on.

Enjoy your Sunday!

Mary took me to the movies last night. Mary Poppins Returns. Absolutely outstanding!

I never saw the first Mary Poppins which came out in 1964. Not my kind of movie back then. Why now, I am not sure. Probably old age.

Great story line, singing, and dancing. Especially the dancing.

Emily Blunt and Lin-Manuel Miranda starred. An Academy Award nomination for Blunt.

I never saw Miranda before. He is Broadway famous. Among other things, wrote the book, music and lyrics for Hamilton. Also, played Hamilton.

What added to the fun was the appearance of certain mature stars in specialty roles. Meryl Streep, Angela Lansbury, Colin Firth, and Dick Van Dyke.

If you could use a make me feel good evening, I suggest you see Mary Poppins.

As I was leaving through the lobby ran into Laurie Thibaud. We have bonded since the radio show. Hugs and kisses exchanged.

Then to Irish Kevin’s. Could taste the corned beef reuben from a block away.

As I was walking past the stand from which the guitar player sings and causes mayhem, the guitar player yelled out “Lou!”

Lights glaring. My eyes bad enough without the glare. I could not see clearly. Thought it was Larry Smith.
Was not. He kept yelling Lou and pointing to me.

I gave a wave, smiled, and walked on. Still don’t know who the guy was.

Any how, enjoyed the reuben, a couple of drinks, and the crazy music.

Final stop the Chart Room. Good crowd. Sheila sitting at the end of the bar. John bartending.

Mary was full of vim and vigor. I, tired. She told me to go, she would grab a cab. I did. I was home in bed by 9:30. The movie had started at 6 so it was an early evening all around.

Saturday afternoon at the movies was a big deal when I was young. Time frame the late 1930’s into the 1940’s. The format the same each week. Two movies, a serial and a cartoon. One of the movies always a western.

Two cowboy heroes in those days. Roy Rogers and Gene Autry. Autry my favorite.

Gene Autry was a singing cowboy. What I learned last night: He recorded Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer in 1949. An immediate hit! One year later, he recorded Frosty the Snowman. Another hit!

The gale stayed with us into early evening yesterday. No rain. Wind and cold. I wore long pants.

By the time the movie had ended, the wind had disappeared. Turned into a better evening weather wise.

I mentioned to a tourist at the Chart Room how bad I felt that he was getting bad weather. His response: “Better than shoveling snow!”

The next few days will be mid 70’s by day and mid 60’s during the night.

Trump had a great week! Could not have done worse!

The government shut down last night at midnight.

The stock market is a mess. Down over 400 points yesterday. Closed at 22,445.37. The market the worse it has been since the 2008 crash.

We have not crashed yet. Getting there, however. If the market breaks 20,000, the experts will declare the country in recession.

The market is fluctuating crazily because of Trump. He is too impulsive. Lacks stability. People get nervous.

Thursday Trump announced he was pulling all U.S. troops out of Syria. Yesterday, he added to the announcement. He was cutting back on Afghanistan. Bringing 7,000 military home. Half the U.S. Afghanistan deployment.

Both moves will encourage and enhance ISIS. From their perspective, they will have caused the removal and reduction of American forces.

Some military experts are saying we will at some point face another 9/11. ISIS will flex it muscle as a result of our leaving Syria and reducing forces in Afghanistan. ISIS will be showing off to the rest of the world.

There is a dark secret rarely spelled out to the American people. Rarely discussed. Military contractors. Companies that provide soldiers to fight along side with or for American troops.

The cost of contractor forces never mentioned. Part of the “secret” defense budget.

Erik Prince recently spent some time in Washington with Trump. He founded Blackwater. No longer exists as such. Now, Constellis.

My question: How many military contractors will the U.S. leave in Syria and Afghanistan? Or, add?

If left or added, means to me that we will still be at war in Syria and Afghanistan.

Enjoy your day!

My dear friend Laurie Thibaud has a radio show. Her first. Two weeks old.

Yesterday, I was a guest on her show. Fun! We chatted away about this and that.

The show is called Party With A Purpose. Purpose music, fun and crazy. Station 105.7-FM. For lower keys listeners. Runs from Key West to Sugarloaf.

Laurie the perfect host. Her years working the various clubs and benefits with mike in hand trained her well for this experience.

Topics we covered involved the gale which was blowing outside, Key West being designated #1 nationally for cities of its size for bicycle deaths and injuries, Mt. Trashmore on Stock Island, implanting parents and children on the border with numbers on their arms, and Key West chickens.

The gale yesterday a minor hurricane. Felt like a category 1 if you were outside. Winds 20-30 mph. Gusts up to 60 miles an hour. Rain, rain, rain. Monsoon in nature.

Streets flooded. Certain areas badly. Took a while to drive home. I had to pick my streets based on prior experiences with flooding.

I had to cross Front Street to get my car 2 hours into the rain. Front Street flooded over the curb. Water over my ankles. Fortunately, I was wearing crocs.

The sun was shining till the gale hit. Sky got white. Then gray. Then black. Around 77 degrees in the afternoon. The gale brought a cold with it. Dropped into the mid 60’s during the storm.

Mary and I were going to see the first night of the new Mary Poppins at Tropic Cinema at 6. I decided against it. No way.

We are rescheduled for tonight. Should be ok. Winds still 30 mph. No rain yet. Some expected off and on. Not much, however. Temperature will be 73 by day and drop to 70 in the evening.

The bicycle situation worthy of discussion during Laurie’s radio show. A recent study revealed for cities with a population of 15,000 to 75,000, Key West was #1 in deaths and fatalities. Key West’s population 29,000. Doubles during the season.

I was not surprised Key West was #1. Bicyclists are a danger to themselves and auto drivers.

Key West is known as a beautiful community to ride a bike around. That reputation was earned 30 years ago. A time when there were not so many people. Key West no longer a safe place for bicyclists. Primarily, tourists.

Most have not been on a bicycle in 20-30 years. Wobble all over the place. Forget to stop for red lights and stop signs.

Families scare the hell out of me. Families ride in a straight line generally. Still unsafe, however. Mom, Dad and then 4 kids. Most children young. A mother with her baby in a small carriage on the back even more scareful. I do not understand the mentality of the parents.

Most of Key West’s streets are in poor condition. Maintenance a forgotten virtue. Hit a bump and over the rider goes.

I had a doctor visit yesterday. Doctor came in with a mucked up face. Like he had been beaten.

He was riding his bicycle the night before. Hit a bump in the road. The bicycle went down. He went up in the air and over the bike. Came down on his face.

The Graduate an all time great movie. Opened in New York City this day 1967. A huge hit. Viewed today as one of the biggest hits in movie history.

The Graduate cost $3 million to make. Earned $35 million in its first six months. The first year $104.9 million in the United States and Canada combined.

Starred Dustin Hoffman, Anne Bancroft and Katherine Ross.

 I loved the movie. The first to reflect the changing times. Social changes galore occurred in the 1960’s.

General Mattis resigned yesterday as Secretary of Defense. A result and manifestation of Trump’s insanity.

Trump is having a good week. He might even shut down the government today. What a guy! No time a good time for a government shutdown. But at Christmas time? Many federal employees will go without pay.

The stock market continues to be erratic. It was 27,000 earlier in the year. Now 22,000. A bear market around the corner. If the market continues its ride down, a recession possible. I believe if the market breaks 20,000, there definitely will be a recession

A bear market on the horizon. After 10 years of a bull market.

The whole world is in tough times economically. A recession would be world wide.

Trump bears considerable responsibility for the market’s downward spiral.

Trump’s friend Putin continues to make an ass out of the President.

Putin wants a military presence in the Americas. Maduro hates Trump. Putin and Maduro friends. Not the same kind as Trump is with Putin. Maduro has offered a Venezuelan island in the Caribbean.

Two days ago, Putin spoke for 4 hours in Moscow. Dictators all seem to talk for hours. In any event, he clearly said Russia was seeking a base for Russian planes in the Caribbean. The Venezuelan island announced the next day. Putin also warned “that the threat of nuclear war should not be under estimated.”

Forget not that Putin is Trump’s friend.

Thank you again Mr. President for your ignorance and arrogance.

Forget not China. The tariff war’s additional increases are on a 90 day hold. The same day the 90 day deal was made at a face to face meeting between Trump and Xi, the U.S. had Meng Wanzhua arrested in Vancouver. She a big shot and daughter of a Chinese big shot.

Her arrest not helping.

Russia and China are joined at the hip when it comes to the U.S. I do not like saying this, but I sense the drums of war beating.

Another thank you Donald situation.

Syracuse/Arkansas State at noon tomorrow. Syracuse 7-4, Arkansas State 5-6.

I make no prediction. Syracuse play has sucked in recent games. I hurt for me, Boeheim and the team. Syracuse began the season with last year’s starting 5 returning. The Syracuse bench is deep. Never the less, Syracuse has reached the position that not playing well includes difficulty making foul shots.

A sad recollection. On this day in 1998, Pan Am flight 103 blew up 31,000 feet over Lockerbie, Scotland. The plane was returning to the U.S. from England.

A bomb hidden in an audio cassette in the cargo bin caused the mid air explosion.

Libya was determined to have been responsible.

Two hundred forty three passengers, 16 crew members, and 11 persons on the ground died.

On board were 35 Syracuse students who had been studying abroad. One was the daughter of friends. Their pain knew no bounds. The pain still there today.

Enjoy your day!

Christmas in America has not always been as we know it. In the early days, Christmas was frowned upon. Considered pagan.

The Puritans did not celebrate Christmas. The earliest Scrooge of record.

The Puritans outlawed Christmas in Boston. From 1659-1681. Based on their belief that Christmas had pagan roots. It did.

Back in England, Cromwell also banned its celebration.

Came the American Revolution. No Christmas! It was only after the Revolution that Americans began to celebrate Christmas. Having won the War, the colonists were no longer under English influence re Christmas.

One observation. The post-Revolution Christmas first enjoyed in this country was not as we know it today. A story for another time, however.

Spent last night at the Blue Macaw. Terri singing. Chatted with Terri prior to her show and Joe Phillips.

On the way home, I was almost in an accident. A home on Duck Ave off Southern Boulevard was Christmas trimmed magnificently! The best I have seen this year.

My eyes were on the house and not the road.

A serious problem exists in Key West. Has for a couple of years now. The cosmetic shops on Duval. Tourist rip offs!

Customers get sweet talked into purchasing several thousand dollars worth of cosmetics. Or, a $100 purchase ends up a $1,000 one when a credit card is processed.

For some reason, the police do not feel they can crack down. A group of Key west Citizens do, however. Call themselves the Key West Rip Off Rapid Response Team.

The team already responsible for the return of thousands of dollars.

The Team picket with signs until the cosmetic shop returns money to the cheated customer. The Team believe the cosmetic shops give Key West a black eye.

The team is at it again. Tresor Rare on Duval has a $3,010 dispute with a former tourist. Tresor refuses to return the money. The Team will harass them till they do.

Someone has to protect the innocent.

A Trump screw up again. Syria. Trump announced yesterday he was withdrawing all American troops immediately based on his claim that ISIS had been defeated. ISIS not defeated. There are still 20,000-30,000 ISIS fighters wandering around.

Trump made the announcement without consulting with his defense, intelligence and military people. Nor the Senate. Everyone is furious at him.

The benefactors of his move are Russia and Turkey.

Once again, thank you Donald!

I am doing a guest appearance this afternoon on Laurie Thibaud’s new radio show Driving At 5. From 4-5. Radio station 105.7.

No format for the show. Laurie and I are just going to sit and chat.

Join us!

Enjoy your day!

Success takes time. It does not come overnight. It must be earned via hard work.

Mel Fisher was diligent. Lived in Key West while searching for the Atocha. A treasure laden Spanish galleon that went down in a hurricane in 1622.

Fisher’s attitude positive. He was confident he would find the Atocha. Each day as he left the dock in Key West, he would say to his men: “Today’s the day.”

It finally arrived on July 20, 1985. Sixteen years after Fisher’s search began.The mother lode. Valued at $450 million. Making up a portion of that amount was 40 tons of gold and silver.

His life changed. His family’s life changed. Obviously for the better.

Today marks the anniversary of Fisher’s death. He died this day in 1998.

Fisher as popular and well known today as when he struck riches in 1985.

The Syracuse/Buffalo game conflicted with my podcast last night. The game started at 8. My show, 9. Stopped watching the game for a half hour. Then hurried back to the TV set.

Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou went well. Love doing the show. My numbers increase weekly for which I am grateful. I beat the hell out of Russia and Trump. Deservedly so.

I was not happy with the outcome of the Syracuse/Buffalo game. Syracuse lost 71-59. Buffalo continues undefeated. The school has come a long way following its decision to be a big time college basketball team some 15 years ago. Buffalo’s improvement has been especially outstanding the past 3 years.

Syracuse was up by 4 at half. Lost because Buffalo outscored my beloved Syracuse by 16 points in the second half.

The game was tied with 7 minutes to go. Then it was Buffalo all the way out!

Buffalo now 12-0. A top 10 team. Syracuse, 7-4. Unranked. 

Buffalo definitely superior to Syracuse last night.

Syracuse for the second game in a row failed to make foul shots.

Terri White in a major performance the last 4 days of the year. December 27-31 she will be doing a Fringe Theater solo performance. At the Little Room Jazz Club. On Broadway! As only Terri can do it based on her many years on Broadway.

Show time 7 pm.

Opening night December 27 already sold out.

I watched on TV during the day every moment of the Michael Flynn court appearance. Drama at its finest.

I have considered Michael Flynn a fink. Slime might be a better description.

Smart, however. He cooperated with the Mueller team from day one.

He had lied to the FBI about 2 significant matters. His talks with the Russian ambassador during the transition. Then his having been retained by Turkey to take care of some matters in the U.S.

The Turkey situation occurred while Flynn was the National Security Adviser with an office in the White House. Steps from Trump’s office.

Flynn had been paid $600,000 for whatever he was to do for Turkey.

Because Flynn agreed to cooperate early and apparently had much to tell Mueller, he was to receive a break sentence wise. One to six months. Actually, both prosecution and defense recommended no jail time.

One problem. Flynn ran into a tough federal judge who was not to be bullshitted. Judge Sullivan. He was all over Flynn from the moment the proceeding began yesterday. He told Flynn “You sold out your country.” Pointing to the American flag behind him when he spoke those words. He also questioned whether treason might have been involved.

The Judge suggested Flynn not plead yesterday as he was not sure if Flynn should do time. Indirectly suggesting that if Flynn were sentenced yesterday, he would be off to jail. Ergo, the matte was adjourned 90 days for whatever to occur. Whatever meaning Flynn has to do more cooperation wise to deserve a sentence shorter than 6 months.

Sullivan did not pussy foot around. A tough guy. His name is Irish, his ethnicity Mexican.

I wonder how the Mexican aspect will fly with Trump.

People enjoy telling lawyer jokes. None flattering. Lawyers enjoy telling judge jokes. Not flattering either.

The following is not intended to apply to Judge Sullivan.

The Judge: “Counsel if what you say is true, I will have to throw out all my legal books.”

The lawyer: “Judge, why don’t you try reading them first.”

People falling off cruise ships in voigue. Four fell and lost on Caribbean cruises in recent months.

One near the Keys. Thirty five miles south of Islamorada. Carnival’s Victory.

Friday, 26 year old passenger Thomas McElhory fell over board. Coast Guard searched diligently through yesterday when the search was called off.  McElhoury not found. 

I close with impeachment. It’s in the air. Talk of Trump’s possible impeachment.

The last Presidential impeachment was of Bill Clinton. The Monica Lewinsky affair.

On this day in 1998, Clinton was impeached by the House of Representatives. Two charges. Lying under oath to a federal grand jury and obstructing justice.

Clinton was acquitted by the Senate. The vote was not even close.

An interesting point all should be aware of. The Lewinsky matter did not come up until Kenneth Starr was into the 18th month of his investigation.

Negates Giuliani’s argument that Trump can only be investigated for that which occurred up to the day of election and only involving Russia. Nothing thereafter. And nothing having to do with anything else that occurred before or after election day which did not involve Russia.

I sometimes wonder what law school Giuliani attended.

Enjoy your day!

Dueling Bartenders crowded last night. Locals and snowbirds packed Aqua. The reason…..Vicki Roush.

Vicki a popular entertainer and person when she lived in Key West. Moved away several years ago. Now resides in Orlando. In Key West visiting.

Vicki was described in her Key West days as Key West’s favorite Diva. Understandable. A glowing voice emanating from a warm personality.

Many friends. Lynda and Bob Frechette, Jean Thornton, Laurie Thibaud, Jean Thornton, Sheila, Randy Roberts, Joseph, Linda, and Mary among others.

Steve and Stacy stopped by to say hello. We had met last year at the Chart Room. Interesting people. Live in Holly Springs, North Carolina. Their 12th trip to Key West.

Love Key West!

Two children. A 22 year old daughter now a school teacher. A 19 year old son in college.

Steve has worked 28 years for General Electric. An information specialist. Stacy’s life good. Yesterday in nature. A home maker.

Kept herself busy outside the home with civic involvements.

Importantly, they read this blog every day. Thank you!

I look forward to seeing them again next year.

Then to La Trattoria for dinner with Mary. 

Dink seated at the end of the bar by the window. His spot.

Josefina enjoying dinner on the other side of the bar. Liz’s good friend. We chatted a while.

Tonight, Syracuse/Buffalo at 8.

Buffalo undefeated. Ranked 8th or 14th. Syracuse no longer ranked. Did not get one point in this week’s balloting. Understandable. Old Dominion beat the hell out of Syracuse. 

For whatever reason, Syracuse is a slight favorite. We shall see.

I will be able to watch the first half. Then to my podcast Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou at 9. Great show tonight! Much has occurred this past week for me to bellow at.

Join me. Guaranteed you will enjoy the half hour. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou.

I read this morning that in some parts of the country gasoline is less than $2 a gallon. Not in Key West! We are down to $2.89 a gallon.

The drop dramatic. Came swiftly. Expected to spread across the country.

Hope so. The good guys deserve a break!

Yesterday, I wrote re the imprinting on the arms of migrant parents and children at the border. Numbers. Like in Hitler’s concentration camps.

I also condemned Stephen Miller. Compared him to Joseph Goebbels.

Comments to the blog amazing! I read in excess of 150 this morning. Not all to my site alone. Out of the number, all agreed with me except 3. 

America is waking up!

The older one gets, the more he sees. The more he experiences. He begins to think he knows everything. Only because he has lived through much.

I have been predicting for over a year that a recession would occur at the end of this year or early in the new year.

It appears I may be correct.

The stock market dropped 508 points yesterday. World wide markets affected. A global depression is on the way. My time table I am sorry to say may be right.

Yesterday’s news makes one sit back and think. It was reported that without question Russia had interfered in the 2016 election. By use of the social media. Skillfully done. Impressive. Unquestionably, a new form of warfare.

The purpose initially was to elect Trump President. That accomplished, Russia now is working to destroy Robert Mueller.

The President continues to say he believes Putin’s denials. Republican legislators say nothing.

Retaliation is in order. Demanded! Russia alone does not have all the computer genius’s in the world. 

Robots continue to take jobs from the human work force. Quicker and cheaper. Understandable. However every time a robot goes to work, several humans lose their jobs.

Working conditions differ for robots and humans. What is going on at Amazon a perfect example.

Amazon has a large warehouse on Staten Island. A fulfillment center.

No air conditioning. The humans claim working conditions inhuman. They can’t handle the lack of air conditioning.

Amazon refuses to add air conditioning to the warehouse. Claim robots cannot function optimally in the cold.

So Amazon’s human employees will continue to suffer. Though not for long. Eventually most if not all will lose their jobs to robots. 

Such is the plan. Such is the way it will be in most industries/businesses.

Instead of worrying about a wall no one deems feasible, our government should spend time working on plans as to how to retrain the working force that will be displaced by robots.

Enjoy your day!

A few years ago, it became politically incorrect to compare a person’s actions to those of Hitler. I am not certain whether this occurred before or after Trump’s election.

The time has come to call things what they are. To refer to and compare them to past happenings. Especially as they may relate to Hitler.

Yesterday, migrant parents and children in Mexico waiting admission to the U.S. began having numbers imprinted on their arms. By agreement of the U.S. and Mexico. 

As Hitler did with the Jews in the concentration camps.

What next? How far will history repeat itself? In what fashion?

Then there is Stephen Miller. A White House adviser to the President. Actually, Trump’s chief writer. Better described as a propagandist. 

Miller reminds me of Hitler’s Reich Minister of Propaganda Joseph Goebbels. Even looks like him. Thin faced with hair combed straight back.

Miller has been a behind the scenes guy in the Trump administration. Unseen, rarely heard. Exercising however great influence on the President.

A hard line opponent of immigration.

Yesterday was an unusual one for Miller. He exposed himself to the world. Appeared on most of the Sunday talk shows. He was vehement that the wall had to be built! His sense was one of Armageddon if not.

America is waking up. The damage Trump has done in two years becoming obvious. Can the U.S. stand another 2 years? 

I worry. I am concerned.

The story of the 7 year old girl who died of sepsis. Her death would never have been. If U.S. asylum laws were followed.

Asylum seekers are permitted to reach a border office on U.S. soil. Application is made for asylum. They are then given a court date and released. Into the U.S.

Trump is playing by a different set of rules. The migrants are not permitted on U.S. soil. They are left on Mexican soil. Asylum requests made on Mexican soil. And there the migrants sit till a judgement can be made. 

The time factor could be forever.

Thousands of people pushed into gross unsanitary areas waiting and waiting and waiting.

No wonder this 7 year old was infected by E.coli which lead to sepsis and his death. E.coli is caused by ingestion in some fashion of human or animal defecation.

The end result was this 7 year old ended up with shit in her blood which lead to a swift and painful death. Immediate treatment required to avoid death.

I know. I had the problem. A prostrate test resulted in shit going through my colon wall via punctures made to get at my prostrate. The punctures permitted the shit entry. Antibiotics taken for 2 days prior to the test were insufficient in my case to avert the problem

Symptoms are many. Mine were a freezing cold from my waste to my toes and an inability to urinate. Came on me like that. I was smart enough to call my doctor.

The recovery required 7 days of hospitalization. The first 4 horrible. I actually thought I was going to die.

Think of what this 7 year old must have gone through.

Last night began with the Back Door. Wanted to visit with Laurie Thibaud.

Laurie started a radio show this past week. I am going to do a guest appearance thursday from 4-5. Should be fun.

Station 105.7. Laurie calls the show Drive at 5. Join us.

Sunday is generally Hot Dog Church at Back Door. A lesbian gathering. The ladies bring food.

Men are permitted on an invitation basis only. I am allowed because of my lesbian wives Terri and Donna.

A lucky man am I!

Hot Dog Church will be reopening this coming sunday at 4 at the Back Door.

Laurie Thibaud is in charge of the event.

This morning’s edition of KONK Life E-Blast ran a picture of the Gato Cigar Factory following a devastating fire on December 17, 1915. Burned to the ground! Five adjoining houses also.

The building loss $150,000. Construction cheaper back then. Five hundred men thrown out of work.

Another significant step back in history. December 17, 1903. Man flew for the first time.

Orville and Wilbur Wright. The plane a self-propelled heavier than air aircraft. Flew 12 seconds. Covered 120 feet.

Man has come a long way since that day. Think about it. Man already has flown to and walked on the moon. Soon, Mars.

I recall thinking after World War II the same thing. I was amazed at that time how far man had come with flying in less than 50 years.

Man’s genius will always amaze.

Dueling Bartenders at Aqua tonight.

Enjoy your day!