Another live and learn. This one big!

The swastika.

I know, as most of you did, it was Nazi Germany’s symbol. Hitler adopted it as the emblem for the Aryan race. As a result of World War II and the Holocaust, in the West it will continue to be associated with Nazism, anti-Semitism, white supremacism, and unadulterated evil. The symbol has been regurgitated and is again being used by many. 

Its use today in most countries, including Germany, is prohibited by law.

That is what I knew, what many of us know. Some however did and do know more.

The history of the swastika as I recently discovered follows.

An ancient religious and cultural symbol. “Ancient” means going back some 7,000 years. Predominantly found in various Eurasian cultures, as well as some African and American ones. The swastika has never stopped being used as a symbol of divinity and spirituality in Indian religion, including Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism.

The swastika was used for the first time as a symbol of intentional anti-Semitism by far right Romanian politician A. Z. Cuza prior to World War I. Prior thereto and into the 1930’s when Hitler adopted the swastika for his Nazi Party use, the swastika was a symbol of auspiciousness and good luck for most of the Western World.

The swastika remains a symbol of good luck and prosperity in Hindu, Buddhist and Jain countries such as Nepal, India, Thailand, Mongolia, Sri Lanka, China and Japan, and by some peoples such as the Navajos in the southwest United States. It is also commonly used in Hindu marriage ceremonies and Deepavali celebrations.

Again, I never knew.

Helene will be forever recalled.

North Carolina’s devastation described as “Biblical.”

Towns in several states flooded beyond belief.

Deaths up to 64.

Republican politics remain gutter type. Trump yesterday attacked Harris as “mentally impaired” and “mentally disabled.” Claims she “was born that way.”

Bombing is a common war tactic. Has been for many years. When was aerial bombardment utilized as a “weapon of war” for the first time? In the Italo-Turkish War in 1911. Italian airships bombed Turkish positions.

Amazing how swiftly the airplane was utilized as a weapon of war and death. Keep in mind the Wright brothers flew a plane for the first time 8 years earlier in 1903.

The first time a train carried passengers was September 27, 1825 in England. The train carried commercial goods, but had one passenger car attached. The passenger car was called “The Experiment.”

The trains average speed was 8 mph. However when going downhill on one occasion it reached a speed of 15 mph which scared the hell out of everyone.

Strange Key West weather last night and this morning. Everything fine. Normal, except for one thing. Absolutely no wind/breeze. Calmer than calm.

Enjoy your Sunday!

A new Florida law goes into effect October 1 which limits where homeless people can sleep. It is considered contentious.

Concededly, homelessness is a major U.S. problem. Never effectively dealt with. The new Florida law will make the problem more difficult, not resolvable.

The new law allows local governments to prohibit people from sleeping at places such as public buildings and in public right of ways. Local governments will be allowed to designate areas where the homeless may sleep.

All sounds simple. Never is.

Expect major litigation and perhaps demonstrations by homeless groups. I recall years ago when “getting tough” laws found the homeless pitching tents next to the golf course along U.S. 1. The solution took a long time to resolve back then. It will again.

Helene’s aftermath. Devastating.

Helene has left Florida and has run through several states north. Still moving along. Leaving destruction everywhere. Especially from flooding.

I have been following its path on TV and the internet. The pics show horrific destruction.

I have seen 30 years of Florida hurricanes. I would match Helene with Andrew. Both so bad, they walk hand in hand.

A major difference between Helene and Irma. With Helene, boats were left on roads and the ground. Incoming water surge I assume the cause. No cars in the ocean. Whereas with Irma, the boats were on the street and cars in the ocean. I assume wind the culprit with Irma.

A comment from a Cedar Lake resident: “Cedar Lake as we know it is completely gone…..looks like a nuclear bomb went off.”

Helene has brought record surges with it. Fifteen to twenty feet not uncommon in some places.

Water levels rose rapidly after Helene made landfall, flooding homes, forcing people to flee.

Six inches of fast moving water was sufficient to knock people off their feet, two feet to move vehicles.

Millions without power. Could take weeks to totally fix.

Deaths total 40 so far in areas where Helene has been.

Russia did not invent the Molotov cocktail. It was invented in Finland. In 1939, Finland was being invaded by the Soviet Union whose foreign minister was a man named Vyacheslav Molotov.

The Soviets were dropping cluster bombs on the Finns. Molotov jokingly described them as “food parcels.”

The Finns began manufacturing a simple cheap improvised grenade. Since Molotov called his bombs food parcels, the Finns jokingly dubbed their fiery new innovation a “cocktail” which soon was referred to as a “Molotov cocktail.”

Ancient people suffered from dental problems also. Holes appeared in their teeth. What are known as cavities today.

Where did they come from? “Tooth worms.” Not really, but that was what dentists and people thought. They burrowed into teeth and lived there causing cavities and pain.

I do not know how they were treated. The diagnosis, of course, was wrong. The treatment had to be horrendous. There was no anesthesia, nothing to kill the pain.

Calvin Coolidge was a philandering President. He openly “screwed around.”

Sexologists have described/labeled his attitude as the “Coolidge Effect.” It reflects upon his boredom with his wife.

A story oft told about the relationship between the President and his wife: When Mrs. Coolidge was touring government chicken pens, she asked the man in charge if roosters copulated more than once a day. “Dozens of times” was the reply. “Please tell that to the President,” Mrs. Coolidge requested. When the Presidnet passed the pens and was told about the roosters, he asked “Same hen every time?” “Oh no, Mr. President, a different one each time.” The Presidnet quipped, “Tell that to Mrs. Coolidge.”

Herman Melville is one of America’s greatest writers. Two of his novels are “Moby-Dick” and “Billy Budd.”

Melville died this day in 1891.

Things I learned early in my grammar school days for some reason have stuck to me like glue. For example, it was on this day in 1066 that William the Conqueror successfully invaded England.

Normal Key West weather returned yesterday afternoon. Helene’s effects left us. The sun was shining, it was normal warm, the breeze slight.

The New York Times published an article re Key West’s contaminated swimming water on this day in 1999. It was titled: “Crowded Florida Keys Paradise in Trouble.”

The contamination was human feces. Most Key West beaches had warning signs.

It is now 25 years later and Key West still has the same problem and warning signs.

Why hasn’t the problem been resolved?

This day in 1941 was the last day of Major League Baseball’s regular season. Ted Williams got 6 hits in 8 at bats in a doubleheader. His season average ended up at .406. No one has hit .400 or better since.

Williams was an avid fisherman. He had a home on Islamorada. He lived there for many many years. Finally left when the area got so busy he had to wait to cross U.S. 1.

Syracuse/Holy Cross at noon today at the Dome. I will be watching the game. Syracuse expected to win big time.

Enjoy your day!

As expected, Helene bypassed the Keys. Heavy winds, however. Some flooding. Gray all day.

Schools, government offices and half the businesses in Key West were closed anticipating the worst. Everything will be open today.

As to the flooding, it basically came in from the Atlantic. Some streets 2-3 feet. Wind gusts 55-65 mph.

Part of South Roosevelt Boulevard was closed because of flooding.

Foolhardy surfers were out off Higgs Beach enjoying the waves..

A few people were absolutely crazy. Probably tourists not aware of the danger involved.  They were dancing and jumping around the Southernmost Monument as giant waves were jumping up and over it. They easily could have been swept out to sea.

Helene hit Florida way up north as a Category 4. Skimmed Tallahassee.

Atlanta under Helene’s wrath at the moment as a tropical storm. Flooding big. Pics on TV showed cars submerged up to their windows.  Flooding a good 4-5 feet. Six inches of rain already. Another 1-2 inches expected. A warning sign: A DANGEROUS SITUATION. SEEK HIGH GROUND NOW!

One of Key West’s most famous bars is Captain Tony’s. Located on Greene Street just a block off Duval. It was the original location of Sloppy Joe’s.

A tourist/local’s place to gather. Once a morgue.

A huge fish sits outside on top of the front door, with its mouth wide open. A tradition has developed whereby people toss quarters up trying to get them into the fish’s mouth. I sense the quarters are a good source of revenue for Captain Tony’s.

Captain Tony and Jimmy Buffett were good friends. Buffett sang in the bar. 

Captain Tony ran several times for Key West Mayor Won only one time. The one time was when Jimmy Buffett was his campaign manager.

One of Buffett’s famous songs is Last Mango in Paris. He wrote the song about his friend Captain Tony. The opening line begins: “I went down to Captain Tony’s / To get out of the heat / I heard a voice call out to me / ‘Son come have a seat!’ “

Captain Tony was married and divorced several times. His last marriage however lasted 38 years. He had 13 children via his wives. His claim to fame was he never supported a wife after he divorced her nor the children he had by her.

Nevertheless, Captain Tony was “arguably the city’s most beloved resident.” He was also respected as “the conscience of Key West.”

I only knew one of his children. A daughter. Toni Taracino, named after her Dad. She passed on a few years ago.

She grew up sitting outside her father’s bar singing songs all day. She absolutely loved him.

We were good friends. She spent many years as a concierge at The Marriott Beachside. She worked hard to keep her father’s memory alive. Every year for example on the date of his birthday, she would throw a party in his honor at Captain Tony’s. She always invited me.

On this day in 1909, the Monroe County Commission approved a contract to install a sewer line running from the court house to the sea for $575. Wonder what it would cost today?

Vice big business for the police back in 1954. On this day, Key West Police Chief Perez personally conducted a raid of the Mardi Gras Club on Duval Street. Three women were arrested for lewd performance of an indecent and immoral nature.

The way it was. The way it will never be again. On this day in 1955, Key West motels were waging a price war. Eight put up signs offering free rooms to tourists.

Citizens’ Voice today: There is a drop off box for damaged U.S. flags at City Hall.

New York City’s Mayor Eric Adams is in deep shit trouble. An indictment opened yesterday claims 10 years of free trips, hotels and dinners. Some money moving around. Primarily involving Turkey.

He’s got problems.

I had to cancel physiotherapy again today. Pain in lower left back, left side and left leg.

Enjoy your day!

Hurricane Helene is moving northward towards the Gulf side of Florida. At the moment around 8 in the morning, it is opposite Key West. Presently a Category 2. Expected to be a Category 4 at some point.

Helene an unusual hurricane. Wide. One of the widest ever. It runs 345-400 miles wide from the center.

Helene will not strike Key West. Its center is too far out. We had some rain during the night. Gray outside. Heavy winds blowing at the moment, however. I would estimate the gusts at 50 mph.

I have a concern for Tallahassee. Home of Florida State. Robert and Ally attending college there.

They have taken different positions on how to deal with Helene. Ally came home a couple of days ago. Spoke with her last night. She left early, no traffic. 

Helene has been predicted to be a Category 4 when it passes over Tallahassee. She got out of Dodge!

Robert is playing it differently. He opted to wait a bit longer, though not necessarily stay.

I spoke with him on the phone last night. The problem is he still is in Tallahassee! He is trying to make up his mind. I suspect he did not expect things to get so confusing and wild.

He and his roommates have two options. A friend’s parents live in a “hurricane proof” home. They can stay there. With a Category 4, I don’t think anything is “hurricane proof.”

The three have also rented an airbnb house somewhere else away from the danger. I am not sure where.

Robert has a good head on his shoulders. The only advice I could give was, “You’re a big boy and have a good head on your shoulders which I know you will use.”

His problem as he explained to me was “everything is moving so fast.” He and his buddies had a time deadline by which to decide what to do.

My advice would have been, “Get your ass out NOW!” I’m not there however and it has to be his decision to make. As nervous as I am becoming, I know he will make the correct one…..whatever that may be.

Corey just telephoned. A third option came up. One they took. The boys decided to get out of Dodge. They drove south of Daytona to New Smyrna Beach which is on the Atlantic side. Arrived 3 this morning. Should be safe and secure. God bless!

I’m too old for this!

Seems to be a season for indicting politicians and other well known persons. The word last night was that New York City Mayor Eric Adams would be served today with papers indicting him on federal corruption charges.

I’m surprised. He has been a hard working straight guy. Tough. All we can do is sit back and see what it is. Then comment more directly. At the moment, I am inclined to wish him well.

The Editorial Board of the New York Times reran again its July 11, 2024 editorial of Non-Support for Trump. They must have considered the Editorial contents important enough to do so. It nails Trump right between the eyes.

The title is one of significant verbiage: Donald Trump Is Unfit To Lead. Opening words: “He is dangerous in word, deed and action. He puts self over country. He loathes laws by which we live.”

It is repeated today. I recommend its reading. I wrote in support of the Editorial when the Times published it the first time.

On this day in 1960, the first debate between Presidential nominees ever took place. Kennedy and Nixon the nominees. The debate was to be televised and played on the radio.

We were all excited.

My reaction after watching the debate on TV. Kennedy the winner. Nixon was sweating profusely and made him look terrible.

However, those that listened only to oral on the radio thought Nixon had won. I listened to the radio rerun the next day and agreed. Nixon’s responses were much better.

On this day in 1986, Antonin Scalia was sworn in as the Supreme Court’s 103rd member. At the time, his credentials showed he was qualified. I thought he was also.

Since that time, my opinion has proved otherwise. Most will disagree with me.

I have been unhappy with Scalia’s performance for two reasons.

The first is he came up with an originalism approach to deciding cases. Emphasis shall be given to the way things were when the Constitution/Amendments were written in deciding cases. Never made sense to me. Things were different back then in the late 1700s and early 1800s when the basic Constitution and initial group of amendments were adopted. Did not make sense to me to rely on aged facts and concepts to solve today problems.

The second reason I was down on Scalia was he was one of the first to take advantage of free trips to conventions and other gatherings sponsored by those whose cases were bound to end up before the Supreme Court.

Scalia was an intellectually sound person, but the wrong choice for the Supreme Court because of his legal philosophy and laissez-faire attitude about conventions and trips.

Citizens’ Voice this morning with two items worthy of repetition.

The first: “I love the library. It’s an asset to the community with all the resources it provides.”

I agree. For a selfish reason, also. The Key West library is part of the library operation for all of Monroe County. Its offices are in the Key West library building on Fleming Street. My son-in-law Corey Malcom is the Chief Librarian. He is the honcho who runs the entire library system. He does a bang up job! He’s on top of everything and accommodating to everyone.

The second involves “out of control spending” by the City of Key West. The question raised was, “When will the City of Key West get hold of its out-of-control spending? In just 10 years the budget has gone from about $156 million to $262 million.”

Enjoy your day!

Why do Republicans keep coming up with new ways to bad mouth women?

The Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate in Wisconsin Bernie Moreno expressed mystification that suburban women are so focused on the issue of abortion. Especially older suburban women over 50 who are “a little crazy” to care about reproductive rights at all.

Two answers from Louis.

The first, take one right from women and others will follow. To be removed, also.

Second, what about an over age woman’s daughters and granddaughters?

Moreno, you’re an asshole!

Trump issued an all caps message friday that women were financially better off four years ago than today. He claimed his election would solve the “problem.” The problem is there is no such “problem. Merely another made up by Trump.

He lies again.

Trump is desperate. He knows he is going downhill. Throws everything against the wall. Hopes some will stick.

The weather. An issue today.

Wind is fickle. Go sailing and find out how it blows every which way and with varying degrees of speed. Wind is surprising. I know from experience.

Hurricane John was on the southern coast of Mexico monday 25 miles southeast of Acapulco. It had been forecasted to be a tropical storm. Suddenly, in just one day, it blew into a powerful Category 3. Abrupt and unexpected.

My message. Beware! You never know.

Helene a tropical storm at the moment scheduled to by pass the Gulf side of the Keys by miles. Projected to hit as a Category 3 somewhere round the Panhandle. Now, warnings are being issued that Helene’s power as a tropical storm may endanger the Keys with winds and flooding.

Yes or no. For real? I have expected heavy rains. Suddenly we are warned maybe it will be worse. Before the day is out, the warning will be it is worse. When it really will not. Some will panic.

I respect those who predict our weather and hurricanes. However sometimes I question if things are as bad as they suggest. Are they merely  being simply overprotective? Generally, most of the time, nothing of significance occurs.

What happens is people tend to ignore warnings after so many false ones are issued. Which means when a bad one hits, we may not be ready.

A weather item worth mentioning. The summer’s onerous humidity seems to have gone. Hopefully. This past week has been normal warm, not heavy and sticky.

Israel must stop! Israel is overdoing retaliation! Most recently, an Israeli attack killed 492 and injured 1,600.

A full fledged Middle East war could be imminent. One which could draw the U.S. in on an active basis. A war you and I do not want.

Biden and Harris have to draw a line in the sand. An enforceable one Netanyahu will understand. Netanyahu is a Trump out of control.

Being President calls for difficult choices on occasion.

Washington, D.C. is one of our Nation’s most hungry communities. Eleven percent of the population going hungry.

Guess who has been their major source of assistance? Punks from the music community!

An example we are all one family.

Sex trafficking is on the rise. All over the world. Big bucks! The biggest!

In Iraq, those trafficked are referred to as Isis sex slaves. The number unbelievable. A new one every 26 seconds. 

Why so many? Again the answer simple. Big bucks! Economically lucrative!

Syracuse/Holy Cross saturday at noon at the Dome. Syracuse expected to win.

A bit of Key West.

On this day in 1998, Hurricane Georges swept over Key West as a Category 3. Key West’s famed Houseboat Row, then on South Roosevelt Boulevard, was largely destroyed.

It was my first hurricane as an owner of a Keys property. I left. Fortunately, my new home suffered minimal damage. A few roof shingles and some trees down. A large palm tree in the pool.

Hemingway and six toed cats.

A visit to Hemingway House in Key West brings visitors into contact with numerous six toed cats. Hemingway responsible for them.

Hemingway was a well known cat lover. He had a six toed feline named Snowball. Over time, selective breeding took place to ensure Snowball’s six toed descendants would be all over the property. Snowball joined Hemingway in being responsible for all those six toed cats!

Tennessee Williams lived in Key West for many many years. Wrote books and plays while residing on Duncan Street. 

One play was A Streetcar Named Desire. It was made into a movie starring Marlon Brando. Brando played Stanley Kowalski. Brando always said thereafter he disliked playing the part. He said he “loathed” his character claiming Kowalski had “the kind of brutal aggressiveness that I hate.”

Brando called himself “sensitive by nature” and Kowalski being a sex symbol drove him crazy.

Yesterday was a new one for me. A good dental visit and Happy Hour at The Grand.

My dental problems are half resolved. I have uppers, no bottoms. The bottoms involve implants.

Dr. Mullins and his assistant Susannah of Old Town Dental worked on me yesterday. I am 2-3 weeks away from the completion of their work and I will then have a full set of teeth and be able to eat normally again.

I figured I would gamble. I had uppers. Did Happy Hour with Matt, Steve, Cindy and others. It was great to be out!

Decided to try some non-liquid food. I have lost 60 pounds so far because of my inability to eat normally.

I ordered conch fritters. Between my uppers and tongue, I thought I could get them down. I did with minimal difficulty.

Interestingly, I was full after eating only two of the conch fritters. Shows how my stomach has shrunk. I forced the remaining two down.

Progress is progress so I am not complaining. Can’t wait to enjoy my first steak!

Enjoy your day!

Walt Disney created a different special joy for the world. Two of his earliest creations. Mickey Mouse and then the ground breaking achievements in animation and film with Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

He did so much more. However, I wish to dwell on Mickey Mouse and Snow White. His first two major accomplishments.

Disney created another and prior cartoon character to Mickey. Oswald the Lucky Rabbit in 1927. He did it with his then partners Ub Iwerks and Universal Studios. Oswald was an instantaneous success. However, the “business arrangement” with Universal was short lived. Disney and Iwerks were out on the street, so to speak. Oswald remained with Universal.

A year later, Disney began the Walt Disney Company. He and Iwerks sketched Mickey Mouse at the same time that films were toying with talkies. Disney debuted Mickey in Steamboat Willie in 1928 and Mickey over the next year became a household name. Steamboat Willie was not a talkie, however. It took one more year and eight Mickey films before Mickey “talked.” The first was The Karnival Kid. In it, Mickey also met Minnie Mouse for the first time.

Mickey played a hot dog vendor in The Karnival Kid. His first words were, “Hot dog! Hot dog!”

Mickey’s first voice was that of Carl Stalling. Disney soon took over Mickey’s vocalizing. He continued to be Mickey’s voice till 1946. Disney has always been Minnie’s voice.

Mickey Mouse’s popularity and success was great. Mickey Mouse proved lucrative for the Disney Company.

Then came Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs in 1937. Disney loved it! Turned out to be his most implosive creation and financial achievement. Not without pain and anxiety. Even from his wife, Lillian.

Snow White was big bucks to create. Critics knocked the concept. The banks abandoned him. He could find no financial backers. His wife thought it was a loser. She was especially unhappy when Disney mortgaged their home to help pay for the film.

Snow White premiered December 21, 1937 and had its U.S. wide release February 4, 1938. It changed Disney’s life and Hollywood forever. An outstanding success! People loved it!

The film quickly grossed $8 million (equal to $165 million today), more than any film before it. Disney was on his way! Received a special Oscar. He used the money to build his new Disney Studios in Burbank, California, where the company still operates.

Disney had genius, talent and faith in himself. He pushed ahead against all odds, including his wife, to succeed. The American dream personified!

Donald Trump does not live in a real world. I used to think he made up the falsehoods he speaks. That he was aware they were not real. I have recently concluded he believes he speaks the truth. The falsehoods he speaks are reality to him.

Some of the things that are part of Trump’s imagining world. He tells us Americans can’t venture out to buy a loaf of bread without getting shot, mugged or raped. Immigrants in Springfield eat cats and dogs. World War III and economic collapse are around the corner. And kids go to school only to return at day’s end having undergone reassignment surgery.

His world a dark place. Our America a dark place.

What really bothers me is that almost half of U.S. voters believe the lies and misrepresentations Trump spews. Wake up America!

Trump said in an interview friday that he would not run for Presidnet again in 2028 if he lost.

Can he be believed?

Whatever. Keep in mind he may have a government financed position even if he loses. Jail.

An article of his interview I found amusing. Most people have a diet problem with which to deal.

Trump was asked about his well documented love of hamburgers. He admitted he liked “perhaps all the wrong food,” but does not plan on making any changes.

Trump said, “Oh don’t eat this, don’t eat that.” Then added, “They’ve gone, they have passed away long ago. And here I am.”

Trump consistently tells the American people that violent crime is on the increase. Claims violent crime has increased 43 percent. Got to scare the hell out of you unless you are aware it is Trump lying/misrepresenting again.

The FBI issued its report yesterday re crime in the U.S. Overall, it is down 3 percent. Murders are down 11.7 percent. The most ever.

I am an old man. I have lived through times when crime was high, Nowhere near it the past few years. My concern are mass killings. That is today’s problem and primarily has to do with gun availability.

I close with a touching story. One that did not just bring tears to my eyes. Made the tears role down my cheeks.

I came across a video on the internet yesterday of a 9 month old baby boy who had been born deaf. He had surgery. The video was of the first time he heard his mother and father talking to him, their voices. His eyes lit up, his smile beyond description, he laughed and grabbed onto his mother first, then his father.

God is good!

Enjoy your day!

A winner to watch. Rachel Maddow’s documentary film, more like a movie, “From Russia with Lev.” I watched it in a rerun Saturday night.

Catch it the next time it is available!

It shows what an illiterate impossible weak person Donald Trump is and how easily he is surrounded with inepts and incompetents. The film further evidences the trumped up feckless matter the investigation of Hunter and Joe Biden and Ukraine bribery and other matters were. Rudy Giuliani came out looking like the first class corrupt Individual he is.

Watch the film. Assuming it’s valid, which I did, it is a major expose.

The Al Smith Dinner in New York City is a traditional Catholic charity fundraiser. In most instances, the two Presidential candidates appear and say a few pleasant words. It is intended to be a happy evening all around. Harris has announced she will not attend. She is skipping the event purportedly for political reasons. 

Harris’ people said she will be campaigning in a battleground state. The state was not identified.

Politics is involved in the decision. U.S. Catholic Bishops have been Trump leaning in recent years. Significantly so. Abortion the primary issue. Catholic Bishops anti-abortion, Harris favoring abortion.

Biden has not appeared at the Dinner since being elected President. Clinton was not even invited in 1996 after he vetoed a short term abortion bill.

People take stances. I sense Harris is taking one here.

Is Donald Trump Husband of the Year?  Who considers him so? His wife? The report is they do not even live together. His MAGA followers? The American people generally? No one?

Melania has written a book. A soon to be released memoir. Donald says he has not read it. Claims he has been too busy.

Not read it? Strange. He has been doing fewer campaign events, though he does not miss a round of golf.

Word is Melanie comments in the book about her nude modeling, her nude photo which appeared in British GQ in 2000 showing her in her husband’s customized Boeing 727 wearing handcuffs, wielding diamonds and holding a shiny pistol.

Melania also questions why law enforcement was not protective of Trump when he was shot. She believes there is more to the story.

I wonder whether the book will be for sale before the election.

Trump is considered by many to be “America’s Hitler.” He has achieved the distinction over time. Now he gives his supporters the green light to “blame Jews” if he doesn’t win in November.

“America’s Hitler” and “blame Jews” somewhat related comments.

The last thing our country needs is JD Vance a breath away from the Presidency. He is worse than Trump when it comes to things. What comes out of his mouth is way out scary.

His latest is Harris will lead the U.S. down a “path to slavery.” Said by him after he warned Democrats to calm down the rhetoric.

Can you imagine living under you’re being investigated, you’re no longer being investigated, you’re still being investigated? Matt Gaetz does.

The story of the Congressman and a 17 year old girl at a sex and drug party. The latest re the matter could be making Gaetz uncomfortable.

The alleged facts: The 17 year old was transported by Gaetz across state lines, he and she attended a drug heavy sex party in 2017, the girl a high school junior, the party at the home of Chris Dorworth ( a lobbyist and friend of Gaetz), the girl was naked, party goers were there to engage in a sex party.

Dorworth denies meeting the girl and said she is lying about Gaetz. The information herein was set forth in court documents filed Thursday by 3 eyewitnesses who also claimed the 17 year old girl “was the center of the alleged drug trafficking scandal.”

Gaetz has not commented on the latest information.

A mass shooting in Birmingham, Alabama, killed 4 and wounded 17. Occurred in a popular nightlife district. Multiple shots involved.

Police suspect there was “an intended target” who was among the dead. Police described the shooting as “a hit.”

Conducted in exchange for payment.

Doesn’t sound like a “professional shooting” to me if more than one was killed and 17 wounded. More like the gang that couldn’t shoot straight.

Something I learned early in grammar school. I wonder if it is still taught and when.

I speak of Nathan Hale’s words as he was about to be hung by the British as an American spy during the Revolutionary War: “I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.”

Since my heart surgeries, I have been into physiotherapy 3 times a week for the past 4 months. Outstanding! I mention a problem and they always have a procedure or two to deal with it. Two or three visits later, the problem has disappeared or become minimal.

Obviously, I have become turned on to physiotherapy. Why suffer when there is a professional that can get rid of it.

There was an Opinion piece yesterday in the Washington Post explaining how “robots” are transforming physical therapy. Referred to as “bionic physical therapists.” Impressive what is being done. Read the article: Robots Are Transforming Physical Therapy. The author is Beatrix Lockwood.

I am doing my physiotherapy at Select Physical Therapy, 3156 Northside Dr., Key West, Florida, 305-292-1805. Basically 3 therapists work on me. Katie, Ashley and Ed. They make my body work better. More succinctly, the way it should. For an appointment, contact Patti. The best in making the place function.

Enjoy your day!

God speaks to me…..Not me! Read on to see who.

Dana Millbank wrote an absolutely outstanding piece in yesterday’s Washington Post re the House of Representatives titled: “Fools on the Hill: The Hooligans, Saboteurs, Conspiracy Theorists and Dunces Who Burned Down the House.” The article too detailed and lengthy for me to even paraphrase here. However, my message to you is READ IT! The Washington Post carries it again today. It’s that good.

The article is the most amusing political piece you will have read in years. Will leave you laughing!

It begins with Mike Johnson, unaware he was being recorded, telling a group of House right wingers, “I’ll tell you a secret” God has “been speaking to me” about being Speaker. Johnson claimed God spoke to him “very specifically…..giving him plans and procedures.” He further claimed God told him, “We’re coming to a Red Sea moment” and that Johnson needed to be prepared to be Moses!

They’re all crazy! He who spoke, those who listened and those who believed him!

Last month Donald told Harris he wanted to debate her again. He claimed she was afraid to do so.

CNN offered to conduct a debate on October 23. Harris agreed, Trump refused. His excuse was the debate was “too late” and “people were already voting.”

Trump is a coward in refusing to debate Harris a second time. He knows she will whip his ass again.

Following up yesterday, a few more World War II stories that will not be found in history books.

Winston Churchill did the necessary to succeed during World War II. Some of his actions though strange proved successful.

Words were important to Churchill. A legend existed that the British hold on the strategic Rock of Gibraltar was secure only as long as Barbary Macaques inhabited it. Macaques were monkeys.

During World War II, the Macaques were dying off. Churchill solved the problem. He initiated a secret operation to sneak extra Macaques from North Africa onto the island to replenish the depleting stock.

Every monkey counted!

The Nazis were bombing the hell out of London. Something had to be done.

The British were and are an innovative people. They developed a rudimentary radar system capable of detecting enemy aircraft at night. This significantly improved the Royal Air Force’s effectiveness in intercepting and shooting down German bombers under the cover of darkness.

To hide such technology existed, the British lied. They launched a propaganda campaign claiming their remarkable night-time accuracy was due to the British gunners themselves. The Brits  cleverly made the Germans believe carrots had improved the eyesight of British fighter pilots. They bolstered the narrative by attributing the success of Britain’s leading night fighter ace, John “Cat’s Eyes” Cunningham, to his fondness for carrots.

During World War II, certain Russian women were aerial daredevils. They were actually members of the Soviet Air force and were known as Night Witches. A formidable part of the Russian Air Service. They helped turn the tide on the Eastern Front during nocturnal raids.

Most had piloted obsolete biplanes used to crop dust before the War. During the War, they were inducted to perform a particular job. Their responsibility was to execute precision bombings on German trenches.

Their method scary. They would cut their engines, glide over the trenches, drop their bombs, and then get out of their cockpits and restart their planes by spinning their propellors manually.

Note only the Russian ladies did it, not the men.

Now for a story hard to believe.

Nicolas Alkemade was a 21 year old Allied airman. His plane was set ablaze by a German night fighter. His parachute was destroyed by the fire. His spiraling plane was at 18,000 feet. He had a choice. Die by the fire or jump out without a parachute. Either way he would come up a loser. He opted to jump out at 18,000 feet with no parachute.

He survived!

He landed in a dense pine forest covered with a thick layer of snow. His only injury was a sprained ankle.

He was captured by the Germans who did not believe his survival tale. Not until they found the remains of his plane which verified it.

The Gestapo were so impressed they gave him a unique certificate acknowledging his unbelievable descent. 

He spent the remainder of the War a legendary figure in a prisoner of war camp.

I close with something most Americans love. Perhaps people all over the world. Peanut butter.

I have consumed peanut butter directly from the jar since my high school days. When the desire hits, grab a spoon, open the refrigerator, and enjoy anywhere from 2-4 teaspoons of it. Done several times a day. Even at this stage in my life.

My peanut butter of choice for many years has been JIFF. Supersmooth and thick. In fact, I purchased two large jars 2 days ago at Publix. It has always been a mainstay in my diet. Even without teeth, I have been able to enjoy it.

Why do I discuss peanut butter today? Came across an article on the internet this morning re the four top peanut butter brands most liked in the U.S. Guess what? You’re right! JIFF was in the top four! Not number one, however. Made no difference to me.

Number one was a peanut butter I have never heard of nor tried. Teddie All Natural Smooth Peanut Butter. I will have to try it.

Enjoy your Sunday!

Love grandson Robert! A winner. He has a head on his shoulders.

Robert is now in his junior year at Florida State. His first two years were basically the same each semester. All As and one B.

His goal in life appears to be either a sports writer or announcer. When he was at Key West High School, he was an announcer for three years. His responsibility was to chat various things on the school intercom each day. Turned him on!

His first two years at Florida State found him writing for the FSU paper. Primarily football articles. He continues doing it his third year. He already has written 20 football articles this season. A non-paying position.

Robert and I spoke yesterday on the phone. He has an additional job this year. He will be announcing all Florida State swimming and diving meets. For whatever reason, even practice rounds are announced. He is paid $13 an hour for his announcing work. He is directly on the payroll of Florida State for the announcing work.

That’s not all. Come next semester when the tennis season begins, Robert will be announcing FSU’s tennis matches. Again for Florida State and he will be getting paid $13 an hour for that work also.

My young man is doing terrific! God bless him! You may recall I have shared in the past that he was born with cancer of the liver. He had two major surgeries at Miami Children’s Hospital the first eight days of his life. Fine today, thank God!

Doctors advised his parents that Robert was limited in what sports he would be able to play. He has two major stomach scars from the surgeries and they were concerned severe sport contact could rupture them internally and he could unknowingly bleed to death. So a sport he would enjoy and could handle had to be found. It was tennis.

Robert was a pretty good tennis player in high school. He was All County three years in a row. For some inexplicable reason, he decided not to continue with tennis in college. He still plays, but only for pleasure. He decided to pursue his sport writing/announcing options. Appears he may have made the correct decision.

I came across an article on the internet yesterday that puzzled me. Concerned greenery growing on the Sahara Desert. An oasis, in effect.

My dear friends Buffalo’s Fran and Tom Dixon were recently on an Egyptian trip. Telephoned them to see what if anything they knew.

Surprisingly, they are still in Egypt. Fran answered the phone. She was on a cruise on the Nile River. She was up to date from her perspective re my inquiry. The issue had come up on the trip. 

There are areas of greenery. Large areas. A straight line where it begins/ends. The cause, the water supply feeding the greenery. Generally river water seeping underground. Also water from other sources. When there is no more water, the greenery no longer grows and becomes desert. Fran said the change was instantaneous and remarkable. A straight line.

I did a little internet digging, also. For some reason, the Earth wobbles on its axis every 21,000 years. The wobbling affects the water supply and greenery growth. I could not understand much more and stopped there.

Actual voting began yesterday in three states. Virginia, Minnesota and South Dakota.

Virginia was reported on a major basis. Probably because of the large volume of people who were voting. TV pics revealed long lines wrapping around blocks in effect in Virginia. Also photos of voting places packed inside.

Republicans were visible with get out to vote groups at polling places. It was not only Democrats who were working Virginia to get out the vote. Someone reported on TV it was expected that with the volume of early voters, Virginia will have at least half of its vote cast before Election Day.

North Carolina’s Robinson coming up BAD! Not a nice guy. Lacking in normality. He wrote along the way that “Mein Kampf is a good read.” Trump enjoyed reading Hitler’s work also. Perhaps that is why Trump supported him. Both enjoyed an unusual interest in sex. Contributing factors to their being birds of a feather?

Came across a strange statement on the internet: “I’d rather laugh with the sinners than cry with the saints.” Desperate? Scary? I don’t know.

World War II impacted me. I was 5-10 year old at the time. Everything was the War! It had to mark me and others in some fashion.

Yesterday was a day of discovery for me on the internet. The topic best described as facts and stories from World War II that would not be found in history books. A ton of them. I share a few with you today, more tomorrow.

Hiroshima was hit with the first atomic bomb. Effectively wiped out the city. Killed some 100,000 plus.

There was one significant survivor. Several trees. No particular type. Known in Japanese as “Hibakujumoku,” in English “A-bombed tree.”

No one knows why they survived. Just did. Today they stand as powerful symbols of endurance and hope, silently narrating the story of a city that literally rose from ashes.

The next story is hard to believe. This man was extremely lucky. God had to have been on his side.

His name Tsutomu Yamaguchi. He was in Hiroshima on business when the atomic bomb fell. He returned to his Nagasaki home and was recording his Hiroshima experience when the Nagasaki bomb went off.

He survived both atomic bombings.

One of the reasons the U.S. was successful in World War II was how quickly it invented/improvised manufacturing processes to produce an abnormal number of war machines. By 1944, production peak saw the U.S. manufacturing 2,000 planes, 500 tanks and 10 ships weekly.

Significant was the work force. The men went to war, the women remained home. The female work force did it!

Winston Churchill loved to smoke cigars and drink alcohol. He refused to do without either. World War II was not going to hinder his ability to do so. He “pulled rank” and got what he wanted.

He had a special oxygen mask designed so he could fly at high levels, smoke and wear a mask at the same time. Re drinking, when he visited Roosevelt in the U.S. during Prohibition, he brought a doctor’s prescription with him from England so he could legally consume alcohol in the U.S.

Syracuse lost to Stanford last night 26-24. I am not a happy camper!

Syracuse had no ground game. Stanford’s defense effectively shut it down. McCord did not have his usual passing agility till the middle of the second quarter. He came alive when Syracuse was two scores behind. He was himself after that. However, Stanford was a better team than most expected and did the necessary to win. The game was decided with a Stanford field goal in the last 3 seconds of the game.

Saw Dr. Ayad from Mount Sinai yesterday. He gave me the report on my ultrasound test taken last month. The three heart surgeries had left me with three blood clots. We had to know if they had resolved themselves. Pills could not be taken since the heart was involved.

Dr. Ayad said the blood clots are gone. From a vascular perspective, I am fine. There remains the aortic aneurysm however. A serious problem. Could be a very serious one. If the numbers increase to a certain point, then I am off to Miami for more surgery. In the meantime, April Gallagher will follow the aneurysm problem locally.

I am about three weeks from a full set of teeth. Then I am going out and having a steak dinner. The dinner will be a celebratory one. All my surgeries and teeth problems began with my heart attack on January 31. I will truly be a new man again!

Enjoy your day! 

In recent past years, it has become increasingly obvious Republicans are having a hard time finding candidates of honor and character to run under the Republican label. This may be happening on the Democratic side also, but not to such an outlandish degree.

Good people do not want to go into politics. Why put up with the demeaning bullshit involved? Respect for elected officials is a waning thing.

Which brings me to the present Lt. Governor of North Carolina Mark Robinson. Black. Presently, he is the candidate for Governor. His candidacy has been lauded. Till yesterday.

Robinson’s checkered past came to light. He has a long history of having uttered and written inflammatory and offensive remarks. He has called himself a “black Nazi.” Advertised himself on one or more pornographic forums. Seeking sex type publications. He has defended slavery. If legal today, he would own some. He has described himself as a “perv,” reported some Peeping Tom experiences, said he liked “trannying on girl porn,” advertised himself on sex magazines like Nude Black, used the name “minisoldr,” and listed his full name and email address on Ashley Madison, a site for married persons seeking affairs. 

Robinson denies it all. He stated he is not withdrawing his candidacy.

The New York Times reported Trump had been warned in 2023 that Robinson was bad news and “he should not support him.” Trump ignored the advice. Now he is stuck with the laudatory remarks he made about him.

In spite of electing Democratic governors, North Carolina has been a red state when it comes to Presidential elections. Doubt it will be that way this year.

Again to be clear, Robinson denies it all.

Oprah Winfrey did a fantastic TV show for Harris last night. Unite for America. Winfrey gathered together organizations and persons supporting or should be supporting Harris.

I caught parts of the show. Outstanding!

The national Teamsters did not endorse Harris. Nor Trump for that mater. Local Teamsters reacted immediately. Many local Teamster unions have rushed to endorse Harris.

Trump’s latest line: Jewish voters will be the blame if he loses.

The Harris/Trump race is a “Battle of the Sexes.” A much earlier one took place in the tennis world this day in 1973.

Billie Jean King defeated Bobby Riggs in straight sets 6-4, 6-3, 6-3 in the Houston Astrodome. The match was preceded by weeks of ballyhoo. Riggs was exceptionally outspoken as to how he was going to destroy Billy Jean.

She ate him for breakfast, lunch and dinner!

I suspect Harris will do the same to Trump in the Presidential race.

Sophia Loren is 90 years old today. May God continue to bless her as He has! She has been an outstanding movie actor and person her entire life. She faced life’s bumps and rode over them.

I handled physiotherapy well yesterday. Surprised me as I have been experiencing pains here, there and everywhere for a week. Today a visit with Mount Sinai’s Dr. Ayad. He comes down from Miami once a month. He will advise the results of the 3 blood clots which were left following my heart surgeries a few months ago and what if anything we are going to do with my aortic aneurysm. Getting old does have its problems.

I close with recognition of one of Key West’s finest persons: Diane Schmidt.

The Monroe County Tourist Development Council has selected long time hotelier Diane Schmidt as Chairperson to lead the volunteer board that administers tourism marketing for Key West and the Florida Keys.

A better choice could not have been made. Though we have not seen each other since 2020 and COVID’s introduction, I knew Diane well in the years prior thereto. A more honorable and expert hotelier has not existed in Key West. She managed the Westin, Margaritaville, Opal and Sunset Keys. She continues to be active in a liaison capacity with Opal and Sunset Keys. She also served for a time as President of the Chamber of Commerce.

Diane is well equipped to pull the TDC through the hard times it faces.

Go, Diane!

Enjoy your day!