NORWAY……HEALTHCARE AND COLLEGE EDUCATION FREE

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Heard from Jean Thornton yesterday. Key West’s Golden Girl was in Bergen, Norway. She and Joe had just finished lunch. Jean, soup and a beer. Joe, fish and chips and a beer. Cost, $75.

My first impression, WOW! Lord, save me from Norway!

The WOW understandable. On the other hand, in spite of the cost of the lunch, Norway may not be a bad place to live.

Healthcare is free. A public education through college is free. The country has a comprehensive social security system.

Norway is considered the star of 21st century socialism.

It has one of the highest standards of living in the world. Forty six weeks paid parental leave. An average hourly wage among the highest in the world. An average hourly productivity level also among the highest in the world.

Norway is the largest producer of oil and natural gas outside the Middle East. It has the fourth highest per capita income in the world. The second wealthiest country in the world in monetary value, with the largest capital reserve per capita of any nation.

On top of it all, a low crime rate. No need to steal where the government in one fashion or another takes care of its own.

There is also a negative side. Not sure if negative is the correct word. Norway’s cost of living (excluding housing) is 52 percent higher than in the United States. Probably the reason Jean and Joe had to pay $75 for lunch.

Watched Trump speak to the NRA convention in Dallas yesterday afternoon. His cry…..Elect Republicans to save gun rights!

The man respectfully is a whore. I recall how several months ago he sat in the White House and told students, teachers and parents following the 17 Florida high school shooting deaths that no one should be afraid of the NRA. He was not, suggesting he was finally prepared to stand up to the NRA.

He made clear yesterday before the NRA that his words in the White House were for show. Yesterday he said, ” We will never give up our freedom. We will live free and we will die free.”

He was Teddy Roosevelt and the audience was ready to follow him up the hill.

The Chart Room again last night. Spent considerable time chatting with John and David.

Stopped at Five Guys on the way home. They have cheeseburgers wrapped in lettuce. Perfect for my diet. Enjoyed two.

Big day today! The Kentucky Derby!

I have been privileged to attend many major sporting events. Never a Kentucky Derby, however. Doubt I will in the future. Can’t do everything.

Rain predicted for this afternoon. The track may be a bit muddy. A horse called Justify the favorite. I do not follow the horses so I know nothing about him.

I have three places to watch the race. Don’s Place, the Chart Room, and Bob and Donna’s. Don’s Place always fun. Never watched the race at the Chart Room. Bob and Donna’s sure to be a great house party.

Recently, I have been referring to Netanyahu and Trump as birds of a feather. They are. Especially in the area of lying. Truth means nothing to them.

Netanyahu has been on a kick re Iran for a year. Especially the past week. He did a drama made for TV. Charts, diagrams, etc. Some even in color.

All to provide Iran nuclear information. Poorly stated. Actually, Iran nuclear disinformation. Turns out much of the material he relied upon was old and known. That not old, he fabricated. Significantly.

Netanyahu and Trump want war with Iran. Trump could get it now that he has Bolan and Pompeo as aides.

If a war should erupt with any country, it will be nuclear. Trump, his staff and family will be safely beneath some mountain in the West. While you and I will be scurrying to find a table to hide under.

Another problem seems to be overwhelming us. Lying is becoming acceptable. We don’t get upset when a political leader lies today. We have come to expect and accept lying. The kind Trump engages in.

A study suggest Trump lies 6.5 times a day and has lied more that 3,000 times since taking office.

Enjoy your day!

SEX AND SENIORS

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A recent study indicated a large number of older Americans have active sex lives. The survey stated one half of those over 65 are enjoying a sexual relationship.

The bottom line…..Seniors want to have fun!

At 82, I can say the desire never goes away. The ability sometimes does. Makes no difference. Viagra helps. In many instances, physical intimacy alone is sufficient.

I find sex better in my old age. The quality. Tender.

I have one complaint. Courting at 82 is no different from what it was at 22. Can be a pain in the ass!

The Chart Room again last night. Love the place! Packed with tourists. Only locals were Steve and Cindy. My Key West historians. They have lived here since 1974.

I intended to have a sandwich at home. On the drive home, decided I needed more people connection. I headed for Hogfish.

Hard to believe! The place full! People waiting to be seated. I was lucky to grab a seat at the bar.

Never fails. I met three fishermen and spent a couple of hours chatting with them. Typical Key West fishermen of old. Weather beaten faces, a tooth or two missing, happy in their work and play.

I am paying this morning for last night.

Donna and Terri telephoned yesterday. They had just left Tampa. Terri spent a few days with the doctors. A scheduled follow up visit. She will have many as her life continues.

The cancer problem no problem. Hurray!

The eye problem resolved. Terri has been slowly going blind. Glaucoma. Had it even before the cancer. Seems to have gotten worse the past couple of months. Accelerated rapidly.

Turns out it was the daily chemo pill she was taking. Increased pressure in her eyes dramatically. The doctors changed her pill a few days ago. Her vision was already better when she talked with me yesterday.

Trump speaks today before the NRA convention. Fourth year in a row. Wonder what he will say?

Following the Parkland shooting, he seemed to have jumped the fence and was on the side of gun control. Recall the meeting in the White House of students, parents and teachers.

Then a week or two later, he seemed to have returned to the side of the gun people.

The man is amazing. One day he supports safety. The next, the Second Amendment. The extreme of each.

I recall last year’s NRA convention when Trump said, “You have a friend!”

I suspect the friend of the NRA will show up again today. The strongest man in the world cannot stand up to those who contribute to the killing of American children.

Father Pat Conroy. The Catholic priest fired last week by House Speaker Ryan. Father Conroy wrote a letter to Ryan rescinding his resignation. A forced one you will recall.

Good!

The hypocrisy of Washington is too much to take sometimes.

Enjoy your day!

 

 

 

TRUMP MACHIAVELLIAN

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On this day in 1469, the Italian political philosopher and writer Nicolo Machiavelli was born. Friend and foe at different times of Cesare Borgia and the Medici family.

Machiavelli most famous effort is The Prince. The book’s hero an amoral calculating tyrant for whom the end justified the means. A man who believed diabolical expediency was proper activity in the world of politics.

“Machiavellian” has come to be recognized as an action undertaken for gain without regard for right or wrong.

Is Trump Machiavellian? If the shoe fits, he should wear it.

I think it does.

A busy yesterday. Sandy’s Cafe for lunch. Ran some errands. Picked up some groceries at Publix.

In my old age, grocery shopping has become an event. Run into friends, make new ones. I become increasingly knowledgeable regarding the increasing excessive cost for food. Some without sufficient means, cut back on their drugs. Others I am sure, food.

Spent a couple of hours last night at the Chart Room. My place! Good friends!

Last night John, Sheila, David, Holly and Kevin.

Kevin steadily recovering from his terrible scooter accident. Looks better. Extensive plastic surgery was required to his face. His skin smooth like a baby’s skin. His mental acuity better. A lucky man.

Kevin complimented his wife Holly extensively. His strength. How she was there for him all the time. I was happy for him.

In my lifetime, I have found many spouses are not helpful or do not stay around when the other is be felled by some adversity. I recall one wife who told me when her husband was into a long term non recoverable illness that she had not contracted for “this” when she married him. She divorced her husband.

This morning’s Citizens’ Voice contained an interesting comment. Reflecting that things change with time.

There was an era when Key Westers wanted ships wrecked on a reef so they could profit from the ship’s cargo recovery. No mention at that time of reef damage.

Today, the profit in such an occurrence arises out of the damage to the reef, not its cargo.

I mentioned last week in this blog and on my podcast that Rudy Giuliani was over the hill as far as representing Trump was concerned. No insult intended to a once a distinguished professional. However, he had not seen the inside of a court room in 20 years.

I was correct. Look at the mess he made on Fox News last night.

On this day in 1946, Japanese War Crimes Trials began in Tokyo. Twenty eight military and governmental officials.

Tokyo was not the only place where Japanese war criminals were tried. The Japanese had committed heinous crimes through out most of Asia. Outside Japan itself, more than 5,000 were tried and found guilty of war crimes. Nine hundred executed.

The 5,000 needed defense counsel. Many U.S. attorneys heeded the call for assistance. One was Robert Miller.

I was fortunate in later years to have Miller as a Professor in  law school. I studied criminal law and evidence under him.

A sharp guy. Extremely intelligent. Benefited his students even more by tying his lectures occasionally into one of the war crime trials he had defended.

Busy day again. Haircut, lunch and a manicure. Who knows what tonight will bring.

Such a life!

Enjoy your day!

 

 

STICKS AND STONES MAY BREAK MY BONES / BUT NAMES CANNOT HARM ME

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Trump constantly disparages people. Someone checked how many times he has called people names. It came to over 400 hundred.

There is an old English children’s rhyme. One which persuades a child victim to ignore taunts. The words have slightly changed over the years. Its meaning remains the same: “Sticks and stones may break my bones / But names cannot harm me.”

MSNBC’s Stephanie Ruhle put together a list of White House staff who have described the President in less than flattering terms. The comments directed to his mental acumen.

Chief of Staff John Kelly referred to Trump as “an idiot.” Former Secretary of State Rex Tillerson called him a “fucking moron.” His former Chief Economic Adviser Gary Cohen said he was “dumb as shit.” Once National Security adviser H. R. McMaster called him a “dope” with the “intelligence of a kindergartener.” His first Chief of Staff Reince Priebus called him an “idiot” also.

The names must offend the President. Especially one who believes he is the smartest President ever. Believing and being are two different things.

My podcast last night. Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou.

I love doing the show! Apparently the audience does, also. The numbers increase weekly. The show has acquired national sponsors. Its syndication recently expanded.

Tennessee Williams one of the writing greats who called Key West home. On this day in 1955, he received the Pulitzer Prize for his play write of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.

Few recalled Harold Bornstein, M.D. till the past 24 hours. He was Trump’s personal physician for 35 years. He is the doctor who wrote last year a good health letter for the President. Said in effect Trump was the healthiest President ever.

Bornstein apparently not Trump’s personal physician any longer.

In February 2017, Trump’s body guard, his lawyer, and a third person”raided” his office early one morning. Bornstein was there. The three removed all of Trump’s medical files.

Bornstein referred to the visit as a “raid.” He claims he felt “raped.”

The President moves in strange ways.

This story is somewhat familiar to the one Stormy Daniels has been telling. The part where she was putting groceries in the trunk of her car. Her young daughter in the back seat. Daniels claimed a strange man walked up to her and told her to back off Trump, suggesting danger to her and her daughter.

I don’t know if either story has truth/merit. They do have a common base. One involving fear and intimidation. Initiated purportedly for or by the most powerful man in the world.

Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu is a trouble maker. A bully. Authoritarian. An inventor of events. An initiator of false events. A right wing populist. Denounces the media. Dogged by corruption scandals. Casts himself as a victim of the elite establishment. Uses fear and hatred to sow divisions in societies and to win elections.

Similar to Trump. Birds of a feather.

Both suck up to each other.

Netanyahu has been on the international media the past few days attacking Iran. He claims Iran was not completely forthcoming re the fabled deal.

His audience is actually one. Trump. He wants Trump to not approve/renew the agreement with Iran.

Netanyahu is using colorful charts, diagrams and photos to support his position. A false one as it turns out. Everything Netanyahu is selling is old news, known to the parties to the agreement at the time entered into.

Recall National Security adviser Colin Powell’s infamous address in 2002 re Iraq’s weapons of mass destruction. Turned out not to be true.

Powell’s speech then is Netanyahu’s speech today. Scary, but false. Powell unaware of falsity at the time he made the speech. Whereas, Netanyahu knows he is speaking with a forked tongue.

Netanyahu’s object is to destroy Iran.

He considers Iran and Syria to be Israel’s most dangerous enemies.

The belligerents in Syria wish to de-escalate. With the exception of one. Israel.

This week’s KONK Life hits the stands today. I have begun writing my COMMENTARY column again. This week’s title Can An Independent Be Elected President In 2020?

Before you say no, read the article. It could just happen.

Enjoy your day!

 

 

 

 

MAY 1 ALREADY

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Today is May 1st.

As the year moves swiftly, so too do the days of my life. Another birthday around the corner. Eighty three.

Nothing I can do about it.

Spent most of yesterday afternoon preparing for tonight’s podcast. Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. Tons of topics. Even without Trump, so many to discuss. I was selective. The program tonight should be interesting.

Join me for an exciting quick moving half hour tonight at 9. You will enjoy. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou.

I have been doing a live video on Facebook. Try daily. Miss one or two times a week.

The video is short and to the point. Yesterday’s done late in the afternoon: Netanayhu A Warmonger. Look for it on Key West Lou Live.

Early evening found me at Aqua. For Dueling Bartenders. My monday evening favorite.

Tom Luna and Rick Dery headlining. Guest performer Laura Richardson. First time we met. A great voice. Singing is for fun. Her avocation the Salt Art Gallery on Fleming which she owns.

Laura just finished her first year in the art business. Quite excited. She paid her bills, met payroll, and made a few dollars. A good start!

Judy and her son Steve were seated next to me. Judy from Ohio. I asked her about John Kasich. She did not like him when first elected. Now her enthusiasm for him overflowing. A good man, a good Governor.

I shared with her my thought he might make an excellent candidate for President in 2020 as an independent. She understood Kasich had broken with Trump before the Republican Convention which Kasich did not attend.

I consider Kasich a class act.

Lovely Liz with friend Josefina came in. Liz beautiful, as always. A new hairdo. Striking!

Good friend Joseph Lyles arrived with Linda. Joseph the best! Concierge now at The Reach. Loves the job.

Stopped at Tavern ‘n Town on the way home for a bite to eat. George bartending. Good company.

I am excited! Irma and Me on the shelf at the Key West Library. Enjoy reading it for nothing.

Book writing a learning process. Took 3 months before the Library accepted the book. Some one actually had to read it. My book went to the bottom of the pile and had to work its way up.

The speed limit for most Key West residential streets has been reduced. From 25 mph to 20 mph. I do not understand what the 5 mile difference accomplishes.

People speed in Key West. Not everyone. Most. If 25 mph was not working, why will 20?

Learned something re when police will stop/ticket you in Key West. A driver is pulled over for 5 mph over the limit. Does not necessarily mean a ticket. A ticket guaranteed if speed exceeds 9 mph.

The Big Pine Key fire finally out. A bush fire that moved rapidly and was difficult to contain. Took 7 days to totally extinguish. Fire personnel from all over working the blaze.

The weather helped. Friday 1.7 inches of rain. Did a number on the fire, though did not totally extinguish it. Hot spots remained which were resolved over the weekend. Mitigation operations continued over the weekend.

A great fire team. No lives lost. Property damage extremely little.

A Trump perversity in the works. He wants the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts with North Korea. What a joke! He brought us to the brink of a nuclear war!

Trump thinks his in your face threats to other leaders scares them into submission. Perhaps. It won’t work all  the time, however. It only takes one crazy leader at the other end who will not bend. Then, war!

South Korea President Moon Jae-in is responsible for the talks now ongoing. He went to North Korea to talk with Kim Jung-Un and arrange for the two Koreas to share certain Olympic activities. Moon is the one who has already met with Jun-Un and gained certain concessions.

The word is Trump has asked Moon to give him credit for creating the environment for the talks.

Respectfully, the man is a scum bag.

Enjoy your day!

BIG CROCODILES HAVE ARRIVED

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I was surprised to see on the front page of this morning’s Key West Citizen a large photo of a very large crocodile. Surprised because only yesterday I made mention of crocodiles in the Keys. Thought they were more north than in the southern Keys.

I was wrong. They are in the southern Keys. Stock Island to be exact. Next door to Key West. A 300 foot bridge separating the two communities.

The photo was of a 9.5 foot American crocodile weighing 250 pounds which had been caught friday in a lagoon next to a residential area.

A big ugly beast!

The article further reported that a crocodile of similar size had been captured thursday at Boyd’s Campground after killing a small dog.

Be careful.

A sad day for many Key Westers. The Citizen has been running for several years portions of a diary left by William Hackley. Hackley was a Key West attorney from the 1830’s into the 1850’s when he and his family left.

Today’s was the last entry from Hackley’s diary that will be reported. Hackley moved.

The person responsible for the daily reporting of the contents of the diary is Tom Hambright. A Key Wester of many years who serves as Historian at the Monroe County Library. He perceived the diary contents as interesting and convinced the Citizen hierarchy to run it on a daily basis.

One of the best received, happiest and funniest events of the year is the Great Sea Battle. The Battle won by the Conch Republic in 1982 after having seceded from the United States.

The battle was friday evening. Too late for the Citizen to print. Additionally the Citizen only prints one edition on the weekend.

I expected to see numerous photos of the battle in today’s edition.

I was disappointed. Only two.

I appreciate things are presently difficult at the Citizen. However, there should have been more photos of the gala event.

Perhaps a reason the Citizen is presently hurting. It has been writing for the Citizen the past few years and not the citizenry.

Two notable quotes I came up with over the weekend. Both worthy of sharing.

John Kasich is Governor of Ohio. Considered Presidential timber for 2020. Perhaps as an independent. “I didn’t leave the Republican Party. The Republican Party left me.”

A statement having to do with values.

Then there is Bill Lepp. He is a professional story teller and writer. A well said quote by him in the Charleston Gazette-Mail recently. “We should fight to save kids, not the weapons killing them.”

Several months ago, I wrote about school children having trouble holding a pencil. The reason given was they did not play with the usual toys which helped develop their finger muscles.

Instead, they were early turned on to cell phones, I phones, etc.

Schools were now introducing programs to get their fingers moving, to develop them.

Now comes another modern day problem adversely affecting children. They cannot read clocks. Technically called analogue clocks. The ones with numbers.

The problem became obvious during examinations which were timed. Student were raising their hands to ask how much time left because they could not read the clock on the wall properly.

Schools are slowly replacing the numbered clocks with digital clocks. Clocks the students will understand.

Consider also that cursive writing is a thing of the past. School children do not have to know how to write. They have their computers.

Most cannot even write their names.

Seems to me the more we teach our kids, the less we help them.

Trump promised to drain the swamp. Whether he is remains questionable.

Sean Hannity is considered by some as Trump’s informal Chief of Staff. He is known to be a close daily adviser to the President.

It has recently been reported that Hannity is linked with the purchase of many homes with loans guaranteed under the National Housing Act program.

The scenario involves home lost by homeowners because they could not make mortgage payments. At a discounted price, Hannity shell companies purchase the homes. In most instances, Hannity’s shell companies financed the purchases by using loans guaranteed under the HUD program.

An example. Two apartment complexes in Georgia were purchased in 2014. The cost, $22.7 million. HUD helped Hannity in packaging $17.9 million to fund the purchases.

In the past ten years, 20 Hannity shell companies have purchased 870 homes in 7 states worth $90 million. Most of them using HUD guaranteed loans.

Note carefully there is nothing illegal about Hannity’s actions. Everything he has done has been above board. He made purchases similarly financed under the Obama administration.

What is lacking is transparency. HUD Secretary Ben Carson has appeared on Hannity’s show. Hannity always compliments him. Never has there been mention of the loans guaranteed by HUD.

Trump and Hannity are obviously close. Talk frequently. Well known that Hannity advises Trump on some matters. No disclosure again of the Hannity/HUD business relationship.

Some things the people have a right to know. Even though the actions involved are legal. This is one of those instances.

Enjoy your day!

 

 

 

JUDICIAL SYSTEM BROKEN

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Justice delayed is justice denied.

Taught aspiring lawyers the first week in Criminal Law 101. Every lawyer knows it. Every Judge. Some Judges are forgetting, however.

The shocking truth: More than a half million Americans are held in jail more than one year. The Constitutional right to a speedy trial forgotten.

The tragedy occurs in most instances where a defendant cannot afford bail. The defendant is locked up. To await trial. A trial that does not occur. The inability to make bail in effect a prison sentence in itself.

It is happening all over the U.S. Louisiana and Cook County, Illinois two examples.

Louisiana jails are overcrowded. No wonder. One thousand five hundred seven have been in jail 1-2 years awaiting trial. Four hundred forty eight, 2-3 years. One hundred forty one, 3-4 years. Eighty five, 4 years or more.

Something wrong here!

CBS News reported that nearly half of Cook County’s inmates should not be in jail. Based on an interview with the Sheriff. The Sheriff described the County Jail as a dumping ground for the poor, mentally ill, and gang members.

A national problem. Intrinsically wrong. Needs to be rectified. Not easy. It is going to take time and money. Plus, a national awareness and outcry.

What bugs me is that Judges know about these things. Yet do nothing.

I continue to feel under the weather. Remained in again yesterday. Must get out today. Not healthy. At least a walk.

I spent the afternoon writing this week’s KONK Life column. It publishes next Wednesday.

Interesting topic: Can An Independent Be Elected President In 2020? I think so. I spelled out the history of independents, reasons why not successful in modern times, how it could happen, those involved, etc.

Watched the White House Correspondents’ Dinner on TV in the evening.

Trump has avoided the dinner two years in a row. A coward. He is incapable of meeting what he perceives as the enemy. For whatever reason, he fears confronting them. Calling them names when alone is easy. Calling them names when they are in front of you more difficult.

First time I have seen the comedian Michelle Wolf perform. Tough! Sarah Huckabee Sanders and Kellyanne Conway were obviously uncomfortable when she zeroed in on them. Proof the truth hurts. They should have smiled and laughed as the audience did.

There is something wrong with people who cannot laugh at themselves.

Trump in the meantime was in Washington Town, Michigan. At a political rally. Before his people. A safe encounter.

Whenever Trump speaks in such an environment, he bends the truth and rabble rouses. Not healthy for the country.

Continuing to lose weight. Thirty six pounds! So says the scale 5 days in a row. I am thrilled!

Crocodiles and alligators keep showing up in the Keys. More in the northern Keys. Rarely in the lower Keys. However that “rarely” has been occurring with more frequency in recent times.

I have been told by many we have to learn to live with them. They were here before us. We are the invaders, the intruders, who have taken their land.

Chris Guino is a crocodile expert. He is with the Florida Fish & Wildlife Crocodile Response Team. He is speaking Wednesday at 6 at the Key West Garden Club at 1100 Atlantic Boulevard. His topic: The Awesome American Crocodile.

Guino refers to crocodiles as the true rock stars of the animal kingdom.

Enjoy your Sunday!

HEMINGWAY’S A FAREWELL TO ARMS

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Paths cross. A one time visit leads to a different encounter years later.

In April 1946, producer David Selznick and movie star Jennifer Jones visited Key West. They stayed at the La Concha Hotel.

Eleven years later, Jennifer Jones starred in Ernest Hemingway’s A Farewell To Arms. She played Red Cross nurse Catherine Barkley. One of Hemingway’s greatest works. One of Jennifer Jones’ best movies.

She starred opposite Rock Hudson.

Jennifer Jones was a star during Hollywood’s golden years. She made many films. Besides A Farewell To Arms, two others especially thrilled me. The Song of Bernadette for which she won an Academy Award. Love Is A Many Splendored Thing with William Holden.

I was a freshman in college when Love Is A Many Splendored Thing hit the screen. It was Thanksgiving vacation and I was seated in a Utica theater with my wife to be. We were holding hands. The perfect movie, the perfect setting, for young people in love.

In later years, I came to know William Holden. We met several times at La Costa outside San Diego. I recall mentioning to him how much I enjoyed the movie. Especially the love scenes. Especially on the hill by the tree.

Holden was not a tall mean. Short. I asked how he did the loves scenes in his various movies. Most of the women had to be taller than him. Simple, he said. They stacked one or two Coca Cola wood cases and I stood on them!

One of the Mel Fisher Museum’s most popular showings was a 74.85 ounce gold bar. The bar had been found during a 1980 dive in a 1622 Spanish galleon wreck.

The gold bar’s value was estimated at $556,000.

The gold bar was stolen in 2010. The two men responsible were apprehended seven years later in 2017. The diligence of the law.

One of the men, Richard Steven Johnson, pled guilty in Federal Court yesterday. His accomplice is scheduled to plead guilty next month.

The gold bar has not been recovered. A continuing mystery is whether the bar still exists and, if so, where is it?

Mary Ellen’s on Applerouth is a relatively new opening. I have visited several times. A funky place. Serves sandwiches and small items. The most popular being toasted cheese sandwiches and tomato soup.

I love the place. A Key West funky interior. Crazy people. A few months ago, saw a dildo race. For real! Part of the scheduled entertainment that evening.

Mary Ellen’s has now scheduled a variety show. Like Ed Sullivan’s of old. Thursday nights at 10. Different acts, one after another.

I can’t wait to go. The only problem is I am generally in bed and asleep before 10.

The Conch Republic’s Great Sea Battle last night.

I was under the weather and did not go out. Disappointed I missed it.

There are no pictures of the Battle available this morning. The Key West Citizen would not be able to print something done that late. I could find no photos on the internet.

I suspect I will see no pics till monday. The Citizen only prints one edition on the weekend. Which means no paper tomorrow.

That’s the way it is in Key West.

Politics and religion. Do not belong together. Constitution suggests they are separate. Not in recent years, however. The Evangelicals and Catholics have gotten their noses into politics. Especially on the Republican side. A bad move for the religions and a bad move for the politicians.

The House of Representatives has a Chaplain. Has so forever. Nothing wrong with having a religious person give an opening prayer asking God’s help in the work of the day.

The present chaplain was Catholic priest Father Patrick Conroy. Till fired by Speaker Paul Ryan this month.

The reason for the firing secret. No reason given. Described as a “forced resignation.” The word leaked is it occurred because of dissatisfaction among House members.

Some think it might be because of an opening prayer Father Conroy said when Congress was debating the tax bill. In it, Father Conroy prayed for the lawmakers to “guarantee that there are not winners and losers under new tax laws, but benefits balanced and shared by all Americans.”

First time a House Chaplain has been fired. The public should be made aware why. Whether the reason be good, bad or indifferent for any concerned, including Father Conroy.

A bit of history. On this day in 1945, Benito Mussolini and his mistress were captured by partisans while trying to escape to Switzerland. Both were shot. Their bodies then taken to Milan and hung upside down on a pole at a gas station. The bodies then reviled.

My good friend Anna took me to Milan many times. A great city! Loved it!

On the same day she took me to the site of Mussolini’s hanging, she took me to see The Last Supper. What a combination! The Last Supper of course more touching and sensitive. I periodically recall The Last Supper. A pleasant recollection. I never recall Mussolini’s body hanging upside down at the gas station unless I read about it as I did today.

Enjoy your day!

GREAT SEA BATTLE

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History records many famous sea battles. Samalis (480 B.C.), Defeat of the Spanish Armada (1588), Trafalgar (1805), and Midway (1942) amongst others. Not mentioned however is Key West’s Great Sea Battle (1982).

Important to the Florida Keys. A battle for independence. Resulted in the birth of the Conch Republic.

The Great Sea Battle is reenacted every year. In April. This year, tonight. The forces of the Conch Republic meet those of the United States. A sea battle like no other.

Involved on the side of the United States are Naval jet fighters and Coast Guard vessels. For the Conch Republic, World War I bi-planes and pirate ships.

Bombs from the World War I bi-planes will be dropped on the Coast Guard vessels. The bombs, rolls of toilet paper. A sight to behold as they flutter downward continually opening. Conch bi-planes will also engage the Navy jet fighters.

On the sea, two pirate ships will appear on behalf of the Conch Republic. Maned by pirates and their wenches. Dressed appropriately. The wenches all young and beautiful.

The pirate ships will attack the Coast Guard vessels with rotten cabbage heads, tomatoes and eggs. The pirate ships will also be equipped with large hoses from which they will spray the Coast Guard with ocean water.

The best show in town! The Best Key West has to offer! Exciting!

The Battle takes place on the Gulf side of Key West off Schooner Wharf. Thousands lined up all along the shore line watching.

Firefighters from near and far are to be complimented in how they have been battling the Big Pine fire. The fire began sunday.

Covers 100 acres. A tough fire. Sixty percent under control as of today. The fire at this point considered minimal. Hot spots being moped up and defensive space around homes and structures being created.

A 65 year old war ended. North Korea and South Korea signed a peace pact. Unquestionably historic.

I was in the last three years of high school during the war. Had it not ended as a practical manner when it did in 1953, I would have been drafted. My life thereafter would have been different.

The U.S. Marine Hymn…..From the halls of Montezuma to the shores of Tripoli.

On this day in 1805, the Marines were in Derna. Derna a part of Tripoli. Tripoli had been testing the mettle of the new  U.S.

Pirates from the Barbary Coast had been capturing American sailors and charging the U.S. high ransom for their return. The Marines were sent to resolve the situation, teach a lesson, etc.

They did their job. In so doing, deposed the ruler and replaced him with one sympathetic to the U.S.

Student loans. A guarantee for most of a lifetime of debt.

A foremost expert on the subject of student loans has been Drew Cloud. His writings have appeared in major news outlets, including The Washington Post and CNBC.

Cloud the informed person with advice to students with college debt. Portending to be an advocate for their financial well being.

One problem. Recently discovered. There is no Drew Cloud. He does not exist. A phony.

The Student Law Report is affiliated with lenders who loan to students. “Drew Cloud” articles, etc. were prepared by any staff person available.

Students getting screwed by those they thought were helping them.

Trump is running America into the ground as he did with his businesses. Along the way, he is causing the U.S. to lose face.

Bidding for the 2026 World Cup is in process. Two bidders. A joint bid by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. A bid by Morocco.

Trump tweeted wednesday that countries we support should support us in this bid. Tweeting, “Why should we be supporting these countries when they don’t support us (including at the United Nations)?”

A bully and an asshole. Sorry, I cannot describe him any other way. Tiny Morocco being stepped on by the big and mighty U.S. Other nations being stepped on also.

Interestingly, French President Marcon was in the U.S. this week for a state visit. He and Trump were all over each other. Pawing. Showing affection for each other. Buddies.

France has announced it is supporting Morocco.

Enjoy your day!

 

 

 

 

TIRED!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted on by

Tired. Exhausted a better description. I assume from whatever I was given yesterday to knock me out.

I did my Facebook live video first this morning. Key West Lou Live video. Take a look. My ass is dragging.

My tests went so so. Will discuss another time. My throat could not be stretched. A growth. Another test here followed by surgery in Miami. Two polyps at the other end. Everything being biopsied.

Throat appears to be a concern. I am not bothered yet. Will describe actual problem when my head clears. I have to believe someone out there has had it and can share their experience with me. Paperwork said only 2 in 100,000 develop the problem.

Great, me!

Fire in Big Pine still alive. Fire behavior yesterday described as moderate with some spotting.

Greece! Anna’s trip this year will include a week in Mikonos with her lawyer son. She sent me pics of the villa where they will be staying. Typical Greece. Magnificent!

Mike Mulvaney is a whore. Previously an important Congressman. Then Budget Director under Trump. Now Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

He spoke yesterday before a group of bankers. Told them in effect that access costs money. He does not talk to those who do not contribute. He may talk to certain of those who do contribute.

Play for pay! One of the swamp problems Trump pledged to clean up. He has failed. The swamp problem has become decidedly worse under Trump.

That’s all for today. I am exhausted.

Enjoy your day!