Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

I find the day uniquely interesting. Everyone is Irish, regardless of color or ethnic background. Too bad the whole world cannot behave that way every day.

Ever hear of an “Irish goodbye?” Leaving a party or social event without saying goodbye. Considered impolite. Considered a thing Americans do on occasion. In Ireland, perfectly ok. England calls it the “French leave.” France, “Filer a l’anglaise.”

In modern slang, it’s “ghosting” or merely “ducking out.” 

Chicago turns its Chicago River green on St. Patrick’s Day. Bright green. The event began in 1962 under Chicago’s Mayor Richard Daley. 

I was in Chicago in the 1980s for several days on business. One of the days was St. Patrick’s Day when at 10 a.m. the water turned green. Bright green. Tons of dye were dumped into the River to cause the green effect. People lining the bridges and river banks. Everyone cheering. A crazy happy event!

The first St. Patrick’s Day Parade was held in what eventually became St. Augustine, Florida. At the time it was merely a Spanish settlement. The colony had an Irish Vicar, Ricardo Artur.

Moving on to Donald Trump. A must to write a bit of him, the Iran War, and whatever else.

Trump is disparaging U.S. Allies for rebuffing his requests for military assistance. Trump says now that he has been rejected: “We don’t need anybody.” At the same time claiming several countries had agreed to help reopen and keep reopened the Strait of Hormuz. I do not believe the representations made in the previous sentence.

Trump pissed on these countries with tariffs and whatever other indignities. Now he comes hat in hand expecting their help.

Europe and the U.K. pushed back with a loud “no.” Their position: “This not our war!”

Trump started the war. The U.S. was not attacked. A big difference. A war without reason. In many instances without consultation with the countries he now seeks help from. A war having no basis. Trump went to war with grossly inadequate preparation. Did not prepare the American public. Did not seek U.N. approval. Respectfully, he was thinking with his head up his ass.

Trump is leading the Iran War standing alone. His generals warned him. Recall General Cane’s trying to dissuade him. Trump now screwed as is the U.S. and most other countries. Good job, Donald!

In the last Presidential election, Trump sold young voters with his “vision.” One that sucked, but the young did not see it. Now many are having buyer’s remorse. 

The Iran War is roughly 3 weeks old. Things already going bad for the U.S. If the war continues three more weeks, things will be even worse for the U.S. Considerably so.

Trump continues to work at screwing up American structural institutions. He fails to understand history is what it is and should not be changed.

Trump working on the Kennedy Center again. Wants to close down the Center for two years to correct what he claims are structural and internal deficiencies.

He went to the Center’s Board for permission. He got it last night. Of course. The Board’s members all appointed by him.

A shame in the making! The man does not understand leaving well enough alone is the best route to take with many things.

Credit must be given for food items which dropped in price the past year. Only two stand out. Better than nothing. Trump appears responsible. Eggs the biggie. Down 42.1 percent. Butter a far second having come down 7.6 percent.

Moving on. There is another world not involving Trump.

The University of Florida has a chapter of College Republicans. A photo was taken of one of its leaders at a chapter meeting giving the Nazi salute. The University deactivated the club till a new leader could be elected. Joke or serious, the Nazi salute bespeaks of sick days which should not be recalled today whether seriously or jokingly. I thought the University was lenient in the way it treated the organization.

It was supposed to be a good day weather wise, though the high would be a mere 73 degrees. Rain was predicted at 18 percent. Poured like hell all night. Now 8 a.m. and still pouring.

Big time college basketball begins tonight. It will eventually lead to the Final Four. The NCAA College Basketball Tournament. Exciting!

I was into college basketball big time in the 1980s and 1990s.Follwed Syracuse all the way to its Championship victory in 2003. Even more than exciting! I cannot describe the thrill of being at the Final Four game and Syracuse winning! I was a basketball freak in those days.

Jim Boeheim was a great coach. Won around 1,000 games while coaching Syracuse. He became a personal friend over the years.

Boeheim took Syracuse to 35 NCAA tournament appearances, 20 Sweet 16s, 5 Final Fours, as well as the 2003 National Championship.

The U.S crawling with releasing significant information re the Epstein files. Congress seems to be covering a multitude of asses. Europe way ahead of us with disclosures. No question, it appears the U.S. is hiding something. 

A U.S. court and a handful of the women abused as young girls have proven otherwise. The ladies sued Bank of America for facilitating Epstein’s activities. Bank of America settled with them. The specific amount not yet disclosed.

Doctors did not always wear white. Till the late 1800s, they wore black.

The life expectancy for males is 76.5 years. I’m 90. Already way beyond the average. God is good! Hope He continues to bear with me. My mind is great. My body falling apart, however. One can’t have everything!

It is thought most wives do not like their husbands. A reason given is because so many women wanted to be a bride and never gave thought to being a wife. I don’t know. Husband/wife relationships are beyond me.

Enough for today. 

Enjoy your day! Enjoy St. Patrick’s Day! Indulge in a green beer or two!