LOU HARRIS / SUGAR RAY ROBINSON / CARMEN BASILIO

What a combination of famous names in the title! Lou Harris, the famous pollster and political columnist. Sugar Ray Robinson and Carmen Basilio, two world boxing champions.

This morning’s KONK Life E-News Blast carried a report regarding Lou Harris. Harris was for many years the leading, if not only, reliable political pollster in the United States. He also wrote political columns for the Washington Post and Chicago Tribune.

Harris is long retired. Ninety three. Lives full time in Key West.

Once or twice a year, Harris gives a talk to The Friends of the Key West Library. His talks are always well attended.

Last night Harris spoke about a danger to our government. He said, “…..the forces of government destruction are at our gates.”  There is a “…..coup to destroy U.S. government.”

Heavy words from a respected man. He blames the Republican right.

I happen to agree with Harris. I have been writing and preaching a similar message for a couple of years in this blog, my former TV show, and radio show.

I guarantee there will be an avalanche of comments tomorrow agreeing and disagreeing with me. Those who will be disagreeing, though not blind, refuse to see.

I am into a newspaper kick this morning. The Key West Citizen in its World Almanac section yesterday made mention that on March 25, 1958, Sugar Ray Robinson defeated Carmen Basilio to regain the middleweight title.

Normally, such an event would receive no attention from me. However, I used to see both during their days of glory and with Basilio, even thereafter. I knew neither man personally. Merely was able to observe them frequently. And not in the ring.

I attended Manhattan College in New York City from 1953-58. Manhattan College was located at 242nd Street and Broadway. Sugar Ray Robinson’s mother lived at 237th Street and Broadway. Robinson frequently visited his mother. We knew. Robinson drove a large sleek pink Cadillac convertible with a white top. It was always parked on Broadway under the subway el. Occasionally, we lucked out and saw Robinson. I would like to say he said hello. He never did. He was sullen appearing and usually walked by with his head down.

Carmen Basilio comes from central New York. The Canastota area. Some refer to Canastota as the onion capital of the world.

Basilio was a home town boy. During his career and after, central New York was his stomping grounds. He was frequently to be seen in Utica and Syracuse. Always a gentleman, always a warm hello and smile.

I did a first time the other day. Had lunch at the new White Street Station. It is a food truck/stand next to one of the gas stations on the corner of Truman and White.

The new establishment is owned by Dennis and the two owners of Michael’s Restaurant. Dennis was general manager of Michael’s for many years. He left several years ago to return to Chicago He is back in Key West operating the White Street Station.

Good food! Excellent food! No question about it. Gourmet sandwiches. I should not have been surprised. Less could not have been expected from people associated with Michael’s Restaurant.

A cold day in Key West! 64 degrees this morning. High will only be 71. A long pants day.

I am not complaining. Yet. My friends on Cape Cod are being buried in another severe snow storm.

Whenever it is extremely cold up north, it is colder than normal in Key West. The cold wind is blowing down from the north this morning at about 20 miles per hour.

Enjoy your day!