KEY WEST TRAGEDY…..TWO DEAD

At 10 pm last night tragedy struck in Key West. One event. Two deaths. An accident and a suicide.

The site North Roosevelt Boulevard near the 24 North Hotel. A silver SUV turned in front of a scooter. The scooter did not have time to stop.

The operator of the scooter was a woman. She died at Lower Keys Medical Center.

The operator of the SUV a man. He was directed by the police into the parking lot near the Gates Hotel. When there, he retrieved a hand gun and shot himself in the head. He died immediately. A suicide.

No other facts are available at this time.

Election days were different in Colonial times. Big booze parties.

This topic was selected because it took place in Virginia. Tomorrow an important gubernatorial election will take place in Virginia. The Colonial election took place on this day in 1758.

The atmosphere surrounding the two as different as day and night.

The election was for the Virginia House of Burgesses. The actual voting process not as it is today. Candidates met in one community. One large gathering in a large hall. Candidates spoke. Voting thereafter was by voice or showing of arms.

Another difference involved alcohol. Candidates were expected to provide booze. Everyone partied up before the vote was taken. Most of the voters drunk before the election itself.

One candidate and provider of spirits was George Washington. Already a wealthy planter. His reputation as a warrior having been established in the French and Indian Wars.

Washington was a generous man. As well as an astute one. He plied the voters with 47 gallons of beer, 35 gallons of wine, 2 gallons of cider, 3 1/2 pints of brandy, and 70 gallons of rum punch.

He won the election.

The pandemic is just under 2 years old. This weekend, COVID deaths exceeded 5 million world wide.

And the end is not yet in sight!

An important Supreme Court day. The Court will hear arguments on the restrictive Texas abortion law.

The case has been “fast tracked.” Because of the furor the “shadow court” decision made.

One problem, however. The Court’s decision is not expected till the Spring.

For several years, I have been advising an overhaul of the judicial system is in order. From the Department of Justice to the Supreme Court.

What sense does it make to fast track today’s hearing and then let the nation wait several months for the decision? If the case is important enough to be fast tracked, it is important enough to be decided with similar swiftness.

It can be done. It has been done. Gore v. Bush one example.

The ceiling of the Sistine Chapel is one of the artistic wonders of the world.

The Sistine Chapel was opened to the public on this day in 1512 for viewing of the ceiling.

Michelangelo the artist. It took him 4 years to complete the project. Began in 1508, finished in 1512.

The most famous portion of the work is the center of the ceiling. Named “The Creation of Adam.” It shows the hands of God and Adam stretching towards each other.

I was fortunate to view the Sistine Chapel on two occasions. An experience in itself.

The whole world wants to see the ceiling. People arrive daily from all parts of the world. An ordeal to reach and then view the ceiling.

An extremely long corridor to reach the Chapel. People packed like sardines moving slowly.

After considerable time, one arrives in the Chapel itself. All necks cranked backward, eyes elevated. Excitement runs through one’s body. The ceiling an awesome sight.

The Chapel itself is not that large. Visitors continue to be packed in like sardines.

The viewing worth the discomfort. God was in Michelangelo’s hands as he painted the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel.

Enjoy your day!

6 comments on “KEY WEST TRAGEDY…..TWO DEAD

  1. 47 gallons of beer, 35 gallons of wine, 2 gallons of cider, 3 1/2 pints of brandy, and 70 gallons of rum punch.

    That barely got me through the first 100 days of Trump.

  2. Hey Lou, “Washington was generous”! Wasn’t Washington a slave owner? You better be careful about your White privilege comments or they may come and try to cancel you. Remember, the radical left eats it’s own!

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