Some things are too much for me. I have gotten too old. It is impossible for me to understand. Especially in the area of sex education.

Teaching kids sex is on some curriculums and seems to be in line for more.

A Warwick local school in the United Kingdom teaches 6 year olds how to masturbate.

Would you believe!

I did not know 6 year olds were into the art of self-pleasure. A few more years were required. At least it was in my case.

Why teach something that comes naturally. Once a youngster becomes aware of masturbation, whether male or female, the horses are off and running. You can’t do it enough!

There is a move in Austin, Texas to teach grades 6-8 anal sex.

California really wants to be on the cutting edge.

A new sex curriculum was proposed and adopted. Eighth graders were to be taught anal, bondage, sex involving blood. Shocking additions in a chapter labeled Kinky Sex: Role-playing, , bondage/restraint, body fluid play, and sex toys. A whole chapter on anal sex.

The California textbook was labeled SEX.

Juvenile sex experts claim sex as described “has become increasingly normalized in some progressive school districts.”

When California parents became aware of what was to be taught, they rebelled. The content described was pulled from teaching materials.

California has come up with another odd ball approach to a situation not involving sex. Suspension is no longer a viable policy to punish students who disobey. Since more blacks than persons of other colors were suspended, complaints came in from African-American peoples.

Since coloreds were disproportionately affected by the suspensions, they have been disallowed. No longer is suspension a viable punishment.

Yesterday, I published a lengthy blog titled Hippies and Mallory Square. In the article, I briefly mentioned 2 or 3 times that homeless were also a problem. I did not dwell on the homeless since there were not that many in the 1970’s.

This morning’s Key West Citizen ran a front page story involving 2 homeless persons and Mallory Square.

Homeless have many protections. The Mallory Square of today no way comparable to that of the 1970’s.

Key West has certain designated areas where the homeless can panhandle. One is located at Mallory Square.

Two homeless men got in a fight. A brutal encounter. One had to be flown to Miami for medical attention. The other is sitting in jail.

Today, a significant one in Civil War history.

Few are aware that during the Civil War the State of Florida seceded and joined the Confederacy, except for one city. Key West. It remained a part of the Union.

Why and its significance.

On this day in 1861 in the dark of the night the Civil War having become a fact, Captain James M. Brannan marched his Army troop to Fort Taylor and took command of the fort. Captain Brannan was commander of the Key West U.S. Army  barracks.

His action ensured Key West would remain in the Union and provide the Union Navy with a secure base to blockade Southern ports.

Syracuse came out a winner Saturday night. A decisive one. Defeated 18th ranked Virginia 63-55 in overtime.

Syracuse won because of the number of 3’s that dropped in the overtime. I wish they could score those 3’s in every game.

A big win for Syracuse. Especially since it was a road game. The season remains a disaster however unless Syracuse can continue such play. Syracuse’s next game is Wednesday against Boston College.

America is a wonderful country. No question about it. An individual can move high in the business world and earn a ton of money. Employees in some industries do ok, but could do better.

A recent example. Boeing. The following was reported Friday.

Dennis Muilenburg resigned as CEO of Boeing. Boeing has been having big time problems with its 737. The fleet has been grounded world wide.

Muilenbug was out as CEO as of Friday. His payout $62 million.

At the same time, it was announced 2,800 employees were being layed off. Reason simple. With the 737’s grounded and no new orders coming in, there is no work available for those working on the 737’s.

The 2,800 employees each received 60 days severance pay.

Only in America!

It bothers me that more people are not upset by the lies Trump and now Pompeo throw at the public just about every day.

The most recent reported this morning by NBC News.

There has been confusion as to what the “imminent danger” was that allowed the Soleimani assassination. Yes, an “assassination,” not a “killing.”

The most recent White House explanation to the effect Soleimani was preparing to attack 4 U.S. embassies. Imminently. No factual proof to back it up. What embassies, when did the White House first know, etc. Just that it was “imminent.”

NBC reported the 4 embassy justification has no basis. Trump had agreed to Soleimani’s assassination 7 months ago in June. He conditioned his agreement to one thing. Wait till more Americans are killed.

Two weeks ago, 1 American was killed. Not a U.S. soldier, a civilian contractor. That was sufficient. The order was given and Soleimani assassinated.

NBC says it has received confirmation of its story from 5 current and former senior administration officials.

Defense Secretary Esper did the Sunday talk shows on behalf of Trump. Esper said he saw no evidence Iran had targeted 4 embassies.

Enjoy your day!

The story of hippies and Mallory Square is one of transition, Mallory Square development, and local acceptance and rejection.

Hippies came upon the scene in the 1960’s. They moved big time into the 1970’s.

A hippie was a person of unconventional appearance, typically having long hair, associated with a subculture involving a rejection of conventional values and the taking of hallucinogenic drugs. They wanted to understand everything, understanding being the operative word. Some traveled to India in search of enlightenment.

A simple description would be they believed in live and let live, love, and had a concern about others. Love led to many engaging in group sex and communal living.

Mallory Square has always been and still is a spectacle of the sun sinking into the Gulf of Mexico. Today a festival featuring street performers, arts, crafts, and food carts.

It was not so back when. Back when being the 1950’s when it was first discovered that the setting sun could be enjoyed from Mallory Square.

Rex Brumgart operated a concession stand at South Beach. It was a Sunday evening. He was bored. He packed a small carry on with an ice-cold martini shaker, some Triscits, a wedge of brie, and a spot of caviar. Under one arm, a folding chair and a small folding table.

Mallory Square that evening not even close to the Mallory Square of today. Old docks consisting of rotting water-soaked planks. Mud everywhere. It was the site of the Champion Seafood warehouse and a major shrimp boat mooring.

He probably nodded to the many fishermen about. Numerous cats were running around sniffing the fishermen’s bait.

Brumgart went to the end of the rotting dock, opened his chair and table, and set out his martinis and food. He proceeded to get smashed a bit. While doing so, the sunset was slipping closer to the horizon.

The sunset that evening was spectacular. A luminous gold ball.

As the sun broke the horizon, Brumgart stood, lifted a toast, and shouted “Bravo!”

Brumgart continued his evening visits. Initially, fishermen joined him. Then locals. One by one. Artists, writers, business people included. The sunset celebration soon became a “tradition.”

Tennessee Williams initiated the ritual of applauding the sunset with a gin and tonic in hand.

The site of the present day Pier House was nearby. David Wolkowsky began construction of the initial Pier House Motel in the mid 1960’s. The physical features of the area comparable to Mallory Square at the time.

The sunset celebration grew. Not rapidly. It took time and more residents to discover the beauty of it all.  Mallory Square became the place to be at sunset during the early 1970’s. The crowd had grown, yet still small. Some nights as many as 40-50 people. Some evenings, less.

Gays were beginning to discover Key West and Mallory Square. The affluent of Key West, also. And street people and hippies. For tourists and residents, gays and straights, street people and the well heeled, and hippies, Mallory Square was the place to be at sunset.

What Brumgart had begin in the 1950’s had begun to bloom.

Minimal improvements had been made to the area in the 1960’s. Remaining in the 1970’s were the old docks, rotted dock boards, cracked sidewalks, and pot holes.

Throughout the 1970’s, entertainers preformed nightly. Jugglers, musicians, the Iguana Man (who walked around with 3 lizards on his shoulders), and others who “spontaneously” performed.

The crowds became bigger.  Hippies became a significant number. A few homeless, also.

By day and night, Mallory Square became home to the hippies. Their sleeping quarters at night included. Their attire ratty. Though of a nature acceptable today as being well dressed. Jeans and shorts with holes in them. Bandannas wrapped around their heads. Sandals.

They were into drugs. Hallucinogenic and regular such as marijuana. Some locals were upset with the drugs. Something I find amusing as the 1970’s were the hey day for drugs in Key West. Both for introduction into the U.S. and use locally.

The drugs were not the only concern for certain locals. The hippies were dirty, unkept, etc. Laid around smoking pot. Enjoying sex occasionally.

Certain locals wanted them out of Mallory Square and Key West in general.

City Commissioner Mary Lee Graham complained hippies and street people had found their way to Key West. They were “unwelcome newcomers” who had become regulars at Mallory Square. She was especially upset that they panhandled and slept on the streets as well as Mallory Square.

The Chairman of the Mallory Square Advisory Committee said he would never visit Mallory Square late at night. A person never knew what would happen with the hippies around.

In January 1973, 2 of the most prestigious groups in Key  West called for a “ban on hippies.” The Key West Woman’s Club and the Key West Garden Club. Mostly women at the time, the 2 organizations claimed hippies were responsible for the increase in crime and the decision of many downtown merchants to close early.

The Chamber of Commerce was anti-hippies also. The Chamber “refused” to be “identified” with the celebration. They refused to tell tourists about the sunsets at Mallory Square.

Joe Pinder was a banker and influential member of the Key West business establishment. He called the hippies “vagrants.” Wanted them arrested and sent to jail.

Some hippies were thrown in jail. Only for a few hours. For violating a local law that banned 2 or more musicians from performing in Key West without a permit. An improper charge in most instances. Those arrested were not musicians.

Not everyone agreed with those opposing hippies. There was a different perspective. Those persons expressed themselves publicly as did the anti-hippie group.

The Old Town Civic Association had been formed to foster an environment where tourists could feel safe. Its Director spoke of the “longhairs.” He argued they were not to be blamed for indecent exposure, panhandling, and profanity in the Mallory Square area.

City Manager Ron Stack said, “You can’t stereotype the elements that break our laws and commit crime. Our records show arrests of local citizens, transients, and the military. It’s unjust to single out any particular group.”

The Key West Citizen surveyed downtown businesses. None cited the presence of hippies as the reason they closed early.

An editorial disagreed with the “serious minded Chamber of Commerce members.” Urged them and Key West citizenry to visit Mallory Square for the sunset celebrations: “In none of the glories of the universe is this eternal display of brilliant color and fabulous design, is the mad wonder of the wild collection of our hippie community who make sunsets at the Mallory Docks a ritual experience.”

A primary reason the Chamber of Commerce and certain other entities were opposed to hippies is they brought no “disposable income” with them. They would not be spending money as they had no money.

Enjoy your Sunday!

Coal in Key West. Amazing!

Not mined. Shipped in here. Way back when.

It was 1856. The U.S. Navy decided it needed a coal storage facility in Key West. Construction was completed in 1861.

The name of the building the U.S. Navy Coal Depot & Storehouse. Located at the northwest corner of Front and Whitehead Streets.

The Custom House was constructed years later. Next door to the Navy Coal Depot.

The Coal Depot building was 1 1/2 stories high. Long. Brick constructed. Some believe it is the oldest brick building in Key West. It is certain it was the first permanent Navy building to be constructed on Key West.

Coal was delivered to Key West to be stored in the building. Other materials also. As Navy ships needed coal, they put into Key West.

The building still stands. Today it is known as Clinton Square Market. A bi-level shopping mall. A money making gold mine. Constantly full of tourists and locals.

The building was added to the U.S. Navy Registry of Historical Places in 1973.

On this day in 1829, the island of Key West was owned by 4 persons. John Simonton, Pardon Greene, John Whitehead, and John Fleming. They wanted to cut the island up so each would own his own one quarter share. They signed an agreement so dividing the land of the island.

Note that 4 of the most prominent Key West streets today are named after the 4 men.

It was January 11, 1974. ABC Records finished shooting a film special at the Pier House: Introducing Jimmy Buffett.

Shrimping was a big business at one time in  Key West. In 1952, 250 shrimp trawlers were operating out of Key West. The average catch 2,500 pounds per trip.

Those were the days.

I live and learn. Hurricane assistance when mandatory evacuation has been ordered. Key West city buses. The system works well and efficiently. Probably why the assistance is not well known.

I consider Sean Hannity a pompous ass. A know it all. One who misrepresents or twists the facts to accommodate his far right thinking.

He and Trump are good friends. Actually, exceptional friends. News reports indicate the 2 speak daily on the telephone.

Of course Hannity is concerned about the Trump impeachment Senate trial.

He has threatened to give out the phone numbers of Republican Senators if they allow impeachment witnesses.

Sort of tells you where government is at these days. A TV pundit believing he has the “power” to threaten U.S. Senators. Unfortunately, he does with many.

It is an all out war. The Republicans will do anything to keep the truth buried in order to keep Trump in power. It makes me wonder if any have the courage to do the right thing at any time. It is always keep my job as opposed to upholding the Constitution.

Ergo, Hannity wants to unleash angry Trump supporters on specific GOP lawmakers.

This scenario is the result of Republican Senator Sue Collins saying friday she is working with “a fairly small group” of Republican Senators to make sure witnesses are called in the upcoming impeachment trial.

Reminds me of when I was 14 years old. My buddies and I were smoking behind a garage. One of the mothers caught us. “I am going to tell your fathers!”

Hannity’s behavior is the same.

A side note. My Dad punished me by having me smoke a cigar. He sat and watched me the whole time. He thought I was going to get sick. I did not. In the words of Bill Clinton, “I did not inhale.”

A father of one of my smoking friends was a step ahead of my father. He had his son smoke a cigar in a closet. He got sick.

Iraq in effect has told the U.S. to get its troops out of Iraq. Iraq’s right. The U.S. is merely “guests” in their country. The U.S. says no.

Pompeo says, “America is a force for good in the Middle East.” So what? Iraq is not our country under any set of considerations.

Pompeo also claims, “Any future negotiations would be dedicated to discussing how to best recommend to our strategic partnership – not to discuss troop withdrawal.”

Pompeo wants war with Iran. Has wanted such war for years. He was the moving force in Trump deciding to assassinate Soleimani. Bucking the Iraqis presents a step to his goal of war with Iran.

Pompeo reminds me of Herman Goering in mental capacity and physical size.

Insanity prevails! The U.S. kills an Iranian general. Iran retaliates with a bullshit missile bombing of 2 U.S. bases. No U.S. person killed. Minimal property damage.

To me the limited response by Iran was an indication they wanted to talk. Sort of an olive branch being extended.

Trump’s response was to impose further and harsher incantations on Iran. The sanctions were laid out in a press conference yesterday by Pompeo and Mnuncin.

Pure insanity!

The situation obviously not yet resolved. War seems to be on the horizon. The blood of any Americans killed will be on Trump’s hands.

A government report came out yesterday spelling out where the jobs are. Retail Trade and Leisure & Hospitality topped the list. Good to know. Not the best paying jobs, however.

Third was Education and Health Services. Most health care jobs pay well. Education a mix between good and bad.

Today was supposed to be Hippies and Key West again. Decided to let it ride till tomorrow. A bit long and would have made today’s blog cumbersome.

Enjoy your day!

My plan last night was to attend the Custom House sponsored lecture on the Flagler Railroad. I knew it would be a popular event. The Custom House knew too. They moved the lecture to Margaritaville.

I arrived 1/2 hour prior to the lecture. Could not get in. No room at the inn. All sold out.

My fault.A lesson learned. One that should have been learned long ago. If I think an event could be a sell out, buy a ticket in advance.

My loss last night.

Barbara Grob is a Key West icon. She has been in Key West as long as I have. A more charming woman does not exist. A hard worker.

I write about Barb today because this week’s Florida Weekly published a lengthy article concerning her. All laudatory. The article titled “Barb Grob brings luxe to Key West.”

Barb owns and operates a jewelry store on Flagler just off Duval. Key West Local Luxe. She makes the jewelry herself. Has been doing so for many months.

The article opts that she and her jewelry are “bold, brilliant and fabulous.”

I agree. Stop into her store and meet her. Even if you do not buy. Meeting her is special.

Baseball Hall of Famer Ted Williams retired to Islamorada. An avid fisherman.

On this day in 1958, he filed his Declaration of Domicile with the County Clerk identifying Islamorada as his place of residence. Some 20 years later, he sold his Islamorada home. He said he did so when he began having to wait to cross U.S. 1

Tennessee Williams became a Roman Catholic this day in 1969. He was baptized at St. Mary Star of the Sea Church.

Coyotes in Chicago?

Yes! Would you believe!

This past week 2 persons were attacked by coyotes. First human attacks in years.

One a 5 year old boy. His juries not yet reported. The other, a 32 year old man. Bit in the buttocks.

There is a history involved.

Coyotes in Chicago not as much of a concern as one would think. They have lived among Chicago residents for years.

The last recorded attack was 30 years ago. For the entire State.

The 2 recent attacks were 2.6 miles apart.

Surprising that coyotes still roam Chicago. More surprising is they are a protected species. Cannot be killed, even by authorities. Instead the coyotes are tranquilized following which they are released in an outside area.

A bit of Trump.

A Pew survey was released wednesday. It was done last spring and summer. The Soleimani killing would not have imacted it.

The survey covered 32 nations.

The issue was whether Trump was loathed as much as Obama was loved. Twenty nine percent expressed confidence in Trump. Sixty four percent said they did not.

Regarding the loathing question, the contras dramatic. Sixty four percent loved Obama. Thirty six percent “loath” Trump.

At a recent Trump rally, the President took credit for the drop in cancer deaths. The study was a 26 year one concluding at the end of 2017. The last year’s drop the largest. Not by much, however.

The American Cancer Society immediately issued a denial of Trump’s position. He had nothing to do with the drop in cancer deaths. In fact, he even cut out of one of his budgets significant dollars for cancer studies.

The man takes credit for everything “good” that happens. I am waiting for him to take credit for the creation of Heaven and Earth in 5 days. One day less than it took God to do it.

The results of a study conducted following Soleimani’s death indicates U.S. citizens feel less safe by a margin of more than 6-1.

Some other numbers in the study. Sixty nine percent believe Iran will attack the U.S. Sixty three percent believe there will be a terrorist attack on the U.S. mainland. Sixty two percent believe the U.S. and Iran will go to war.

Pompeo is a fink first class. It is being revealed that he convinced Trump to kill Soleimani. In itself shows the influence he has in the White House. He was the driving force. He said, “We took a bad guy off the battlefield.”

He also is reported to have been saying, “I will not retire from public service till Soleimani is off the battlefield.”

Pompeo has become the leading voice in the cabinet. Many view him as sharing the combined power of the Secretary of State, Secretary of Defense and Director of the CIA.

Pompeo has to go. Just as the President does. The better if both do so.

I intended to write about hippies and Mallory Square in the 1970’s. While further researching, I discovered additional interesting facts. Puts off that part of the blog till tomorrow.

Enjoy your day!

I could not gain entry into my WordPress server yesterday. Ergo, no blog. Sorry. An irritation I have no control over.

Trump can ride the Soleimani killing for a while. The day will come when Iran will exact proportional revenge.

The good Book says revenge is the Lord’s. Not in this case. Revenge will be Iran’s.

The U.S. kills one of Iran’s top generals. Iran reciprocates by bombing 2 U.S. air bases. Not one American killed. Minimal property damage.

Iranians are not a stupid people. They may not have the war might of the U.S. However, what they do have is modern and up  to date. Shortly, they will be a nuclear nation.

They knew where their missiles would land. They knew few if any Americans would be killed. I believe the result of the Iranian retaliation an intentional one. They were giving Trump his victory. They live to fight another day. A time of their choosing in a place of their choosing.

Trump has repeatedly said, “We have the most powerful and well equipped military anywhere in the world.”

So did Rome.

Ethnic/religious groups seem to live by different standards. Different levels of right and wrong.

I do not trust Iran. It is innate in the nature of Middle East persons to put one arm around you and the other in your back pocket.

Why are Trump and his followers referring to Soleimani’s end as a “killing.” The media likewise. It was an “assassination” pure and simple. Trump was out to get Soleimani and did.

Trump spoke to the nation and world yesterday for the first time following the assassination. Lindsey Graham says Trump’s speech better than Reagan’s Berlin Wall: “Mr. Gorbachev, tear this wall down.”

I believe Graham is losing it. Must be John McCain kept him reined  in. Without McCain, Graham has come under Trump’s influence.

Syracuse played  Virginia Tech tuesday night. Syracuse lost 67-63. Blew a 9 point lead in the middle of the second half when Virginia Tech went on a 20-4 run.

Syracuse hurting. Louis hurting. Mighty Casey weeping.

An interesting fact. Way back on January 8, 1828, the Territorial Commission passed an act incorporating the City of Key West.

Today, Alice Turner’s 1970’s Key West.

Alice Turner was an American writer of juvenile historical fiction. She is best remembered for The Little Maid’s Historical Series. Twenty four books. The first and most recalled A Little Maid of Province Town.

Turner discovered Key West in the late 1970’s. Friends like Lillian Hellman and Diane Keaton followed her to Key West.

In a 1978 New York Magazine, Turner observed that “Key West is our winter Hamptons.”

Why the Key West attraction? Turner said the food was good, there was not much to do but eat, drink and talk. The beaches were not noteworthy, the aquarium “pathetic,” the turtle kraals “depressing.”

She loved the Monster’s night life. A place where she could observe or participate in “effete decadence.”

The Pier House was up and running. Turner viewed it as a “chic place to stay.” Some of her friends did not stay at the Pier House however. They had come to Key West on their private yachts. Their homes away from home.

An island is an island. Turner however perceived it as a “permanent floating salon for decorators and the literate.”

Anyone recall hippies? Tomorrow hippies and Mallory Square.

Two days ago, I wrote re the Pier House closings.

There are more retail closings.

Macy’s announced yesterday it is closing more than 2 dozen stores. A Macy spokesman described the Macy closings and those of other stores as a “retail apocalypse.”

Sears is in trouble. Everyone knows it. Sears has had mass closings the past 2 years. I am surprised Sears’ Key West store survived.

The word on the street is that  Sears’ problems are reaching an overbearing point. Sears may be next.

The U.S. debt is $22 trillion and growing. There was a time the U.S. had no debt. Not one penny. The only time.

Andrew Jackson was tight fisted when it came to money. In his earlier days, he experienced some financial difficulties from which he learned.

Jackson’s goal when he became President was to reduce the national debt. He did so. Brought it down to zero for the first and only time.

The new government owed a lot of money. The Revolution was not cheap. Government under the Continental Congress and Articles of Confederation also not cheap. The national debt on January 1, 1791, was $75,463,476.52. Hard to believe.

Tonight, a Custom House lecture on the Flagler Railroad. I plan on attending. A history buff am I.

My doctors were continually suggesting I use a cane. To prevent my frequent falls. I fought it. I viewed it as a concession to old age. I am 84. The cane bothered me.

I used the cane around the house. Very infrequently outdoors. This past week, I began having balance problems again. I decided the cane better than a fractured hip.

What an experience!

People treat me differently. Doors are held open for me. When I am crossing a street, cars actually stop and wave me on with a smile. A fellow as old as me was on a bicycle yesterday. He was going to run the light. Saw me and stopped. With a smile said, “We have to take care of each other.

The cane is turning out to be as much a blessing and convenience as my handicap card for the car. I fought using one till 2 years ago. Terrific! Almost always a convenient parking spot. Close to wherever I am going.

The blessings of old age!

Enjoy your day!

Comedy at its best! Classic comedy. From yesterday. Guaranteed to keep you laughing.

The show titled Classics of Comedy 2. The place The Studios of Key West. January 9-11.

The best of of the old hits includes Abbott and Costello’s Who’s On First. One of the best. From Abbott and Costello’s 1950’s repertoire.

If you enjoy laughing, a good show to see.

Key West City Fathers are about as bright as the Congress of the United States. The City Commission is seriously considering expanding the sidewalks on Duval to permit outdoor dining

I thought the several month experiment with closing off certain portions of Duval was a disaster and waste. I did not hear many favorable comments re the experiment.

Some Duval parking places will be lost. City Commissioners do not seem to care when parking spaces are removed. Haven’t we lost enough already?

Duval itself is too narrow to begin with. It is going to be hell for other than foot traffic. Cars, trucks, motorcycles, mopeds, bicycles, etc. all vying for space. A guaranteed invitation to more accidents.

As far as I am concerned, the idea is as good as Trump’s was to kill General Soleimani.

The 1970’s for Key West were the roaring 20’s. Except for the method of getting high. Drugs replaced booze.

Several writers organized an informal social club. Named it Club Mandible. Twenty to thirty members. Wore special club shirts and had different club names. Like General Chaos and Private Parts. They generally “boogied.”

The Club spearheaded its members’ efforts “toward the unconscious.” Or, a rather a “punishing form of conscious.” The “punishing form of conscious” was a state easily realized due to the availability of drugs.

When the comedian John Belushi died of a drug overdose in 1982, one of the members remarked that “he didn’t seem all that crazy by Key West standards.”

Michelle Goldberg is a New York Times opinion columnist. Her comments re Trump killing General Soleimani in yesterday’s Times right on: “There are no more adults in the room. After three harrowing years, we’ve reached the point many of us feared from the moment Donald Trump was elected. His decision to kill Maj. Gen. Qassim Soleimani…..made…..with little discernible deliberation, has brought the United States to the brink of a devastating new conflict in the Middle East.”

Iraq has said…..U.S. remove your troops from our land. A day or 2 before, the U.S. announced 4,000 troops from the 82nd Airborne had been deployed. Yesterday, it was announced 2,000 Marines were en route on the USS Bataan.

Don’t look like the U.S. is going anywhere.

Trump says the economy is good. I think not. Have not for quite a while. The stock market alone is not an accurate indication of the economical health of a nation.

The market also has the capacity as history tells us to drop suddenly and disastrously.

Businesses are hurting.

The most recent example is Pier 1 Imports. It was announced  by Pier 1 that it is closing close to 450 stores. The number representing half its stores.

The rumor is Pier 1 is nearing a bankruptcy filing.

Its stock has dropped. In 2015, $300 a share. Around $5 today.

The last quarter of 2019 found sales decreased 11.4 percent from the same period the previous year. Pier 1 lost $59 million last year.

Nationally in 2019, there were 9,302 retail store closings. The closings 59 percent greater in 2019 that 2018.

As Trump tells us, the economy is good, the best ever.

Puerto Rico can’t seem to win.

In a 24 hour period, it was hit with 2 major earthquakes. A 5.8 magnitude one monday morning at 5:32 am. A stronger one this morning at 3:24 am. A magnitude 6.4. The second one knocked out the electrical system for the entire island.

There may be more earthquakes in the next few days. The experts had predicted the second one. Fortunately, no predictions re tsunamis.

Beware of internet dating!

The incident only one in millions of contacts made. However, one is enough.

Grindr the dating site.

Kevin Bacon 25 found Mark Latunko on the internet. They met Christmas eve at Latunko’s apartment.

Three days later, Bacon was found hanging naked in Latunko’s apartment. He was hanging by his ankles, his throat cut, and parts of his body missing.

Latunko has admitted to cutting off Bacon’s testicles after he was dead. He later ate them.

Modern day cannibalism.

Syracuse/Virginia Tech at 9 tonight. Virginia Tech has the much better record. Syracuse has to begin a winning steak.

At 9 tonight also, my blog talk radio show. Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. I will miss half of the first half of the game.

A ton of interesting topics tonight. Many which will cause me to rant and rave.

Please join me. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou.

Enjoy your day!

Key West of the 1970’s continues.

A few days ago, I mentioned Poet Laureate Richard Wilbur as one who encouraged other writers to spend time residing in Key West. One a friend from their Harvard days together. John Malcolm Brinnin. A talented writer of poetry and biography.

He visited in 1975. Not his first time, however. His first visit a total disaster. Key West was lucky he even returned.

Brinnin briefly visited Key West in 1945. A trip to hell.

He took a Trailways bus to Key West from Miami. He had to stand the whole way. All seats were full with “booze sodden sailors returning to base.

La Concha was full. He was allowed to sleep on a sofa in the lobby.

The next morning, Brinnin walked about the town. He noted the dilapidated conditions of the then Key West. Included were “dead trees on ruptured sidewalks.” A local told him they stemmed from a hurricane some 15-20 years earlier.

He arrived at the ocean. Took his shoes off. He began to “feel out the contours of a buried mound of something” beneath his feet. Turned out to be “the swollen belly of a dead dog.”

So much for Key West. He returned to La Concha, picked up his bag, and was on the next bus out of Key West.

Brinnin returned again in 1975. He stayed at the Pier House. He partied with Truman Capote and David Wolkowsky. He continued visiting. By the 1980’s, he was a resident.

After he was settled in, Brinnin described Key West as “a perpetual paradise.”

Turtles receive extra special treatment in Key West. Due to the Keys’ Turtle Hospital. A big deal when a once again a healthy turtle is returned to the ocean.

Jack-O-Lantern was returned saturday. One thousand people shouting him good wishes as he clomped into the water at Sombrero Beach.

He was named Jack-O-Lantern by the Hospital staff. He was brought to the Hospital on Halloween.

Jack a 150 pound loggerhead. He had been found floating and entangled in trap line. When found, he was floating upside down.

The Turtle Hospital treated Jack for entanglement injuries and severe intestinal impaction.

The cold spell still with us. At 6:30 this morning when I began this blog, the temperature was 64 degrees. The high today projected at 72.

Hello Sam! Forgot you! Truly sorry!

Recall I was with Steve and Cindy at the Chart Room friday night. Sam is Steve’s sister. We have never met. She must rarely visit Key West. However, Steve is always telling me how she daily reads the blog, loves it, and loves Louis!

How can I not like Sam!

Steve and Cindy were leaving saturday on a cruise out of Miami. Sam was joining them.

Sam, come visit. I would very much enjoy sitting and chatting with you at the Chart Room.

Trump is playing with dynamite. I hope he is a teflon person and avoids a “real” war he may already have initiated.

Trump continues to challenge Iraq and Iran. His words not those of peace. He promises horrendous U.S. sanctions if Iraq retaliates. He threatens to attack Iran if it carries out its promise of “severe consequences” if hostilities with the U.S. are escalated.

Iran has said in recent days that it has the capacity to respond on U.S. soil.

A Jewish solidarity march was held yesterday in New York City. The group marched across the Brooklyn Bridge. The march held in response to the rise of anti-Semitism in the greater New York area.

I was impressed with the march. An internet photo showed the march extending the bridge from one end to the other in length and width.

The march reminded me of the protests we have been seen in Iraq the past few days. Nowhere the same in number. However, the New York City police reported there were “tens of thousands.”

The New Yorker’s Evan Osnos lived 8 years in Beijing and the past 6 in Washington. He recently wrote an article covering China’s growth during the last 25 years.

Osnos says the 2 capitals he resided in are wrestling “to determine who will dominate the 21st century.”

To the point, he wrote: “When I started studying Mandarin, 25 years ago, China’s economy was smaller than Italy’s. It is now 24 times the size it was then, ranking second only to America’s, and the share of Chinese people in extreme poverty has shrunk to less than 1 percent. Growth has slowed sharply, but the country still has legions of citizens vying to enter the middle class. It is estimated that a million Chinese people have yet to board an airplane.”

A side note. Russia’s economy is in decline. China’s is still on the rise, though slowly. I am not sure where the U.S. stands. I believe we are in decline primarily because of most of Trump’s dumb moves.

Every time the U.S. offends, screws, pisses off a friend, the friend turns to Russia and/or China for security, love, and to do business.

We are running out of friends.

On this day in history, though in different years, 2 U.S. Presidents married their sweethearts.

In 1759, George Washington married Martha. They were married 40 years. Did not have children. However Martha brought to the marriage her 2 children from a previous marriage which George happily raised.

In 1945, George Herbert Walker Bush married Barbara. They were married 44 years. Barbara was 18 when they married. She grew to be America’s mother, loved and respected by all.

Enjoy your day!

Something amiss in the Trump administration when it comes to truth. Little to be found.

It begins at the top and runs down. Trump unquestionably a liar. His subordinates picking up on it. Pompeo a most recent example.

Re the Soleimani killing, Pompeo tweeted Iraqis were “dancing in the streets…..for freedom; thankful that General Soleimani is no more.”

He even offered a 22 second video to support his statement.

The video showed 20-30 persons running down a street. Their voices, if any, not audible.

The tweet went viral. More than 5 million have seen it.

Turns out the persons in the video were running down the street, not dancing. There was a voice. One voice. Of a man standing next to whoever was videoing the scene. He was praising the killing. His comment had nothing to do with the people in the street.

Why do they lie? It galls me. It further bothers me that half the people believe the lies.

War is a concern. Those who think not are fooling themselves.

My hope is that Trump’s decision will end short of war. “Short of” being the operable term.

Pompeo and Trump claim Americans are safe because of the killing. They are not. Anywhere on this earth, including U.S. soil.

This morning’s news tells us that Trump gave Israel advance notice of the plan to kill Solemani. Good going, Donald! Tell your buddy Netanyahu. Fail to tell Congress.

I have said in the past I think Netanyahu plays Trump as Putin does. Netanyahu for years has wanted Iran destroyed. He believes Iran is a constant danger to Israel.

The problem is Netanyahu is afraid Israel cannot conquer Iran alone. He therefore wants the U.S. to initiate an attack first. Israel would then join in the war.

Now for lighter matters. Involving Key West one way or another.

More to share re the Key West of the 1970’s.

Another author of prominence bought a home in Key West. James Kirkwood Jr. Co-author of A Chorus Line for which he won a Pulitizer Prize in 1976.

In the early 1970’s, Kirkwood became one of the first owners of a house in the Conch Grove Compound in Old Town. He was a frequent Key West visitor till his death in 1989. He was one of several gay writers who purchased homes in the 1970’s.

His thoughts re Key West interesting.

Key West is “not Florida, maybe even not America, but a city and a state of mind. It’s the end of the line, even the world.”

He was of the opinion that “Key West always had a great attraction for people who are a little tilted, a little crazy…..a little off center, even kinky.”

My yesterday began with breakfast at Harpoon Harry’s. Amazing the business the place does. Diner food. Good for the soul, sticks to the ribs.

Four o’clock found me at Jack Flats to watch the Syracuse /  Georgetown game. Syracuse lost again. By one point 88-87. The lead changed hands 18 times.

Watched the game with Syracuse area fans Don and Chris and Dan and Lisa. Ollie, too. Other than Ollie, I have not seen the others in roughly a year. It was good to be with them again.

Dan and Lisa have owned a restaurant in Skaneateles, N.Y. for many years. They sold November 1. Good for them.

Not easy running a restaurant. Dan the cook. Worked 7 days a week. Lisa the hostess. Retirement time! May they enjoy.

Stopped at my Lisa’s on the way home. Finished the family’s dinner left overs. Chatted a while. Then home.

Ollie mentioned yesterday a cold front was coming in. It came. It was here this morning. When I started doing this blog at 6, the temperature was 70 degrees. It will not hit 70 or better again today. The temperature will level out at 66.

Winds gusty. I can hear them as I work. Winds 20-30 mph.

Can’t complain. The weather the last 10 days has been fantastic. Hovered around 80.

Two significant events occurred this day. In different years, of course.

In 1531, Pope Clement VII forbade Henry VIII from remarrying. Henry was anxious to dump Catherine and wed Anne Boleyn.

In 1920, the New York Yankees announced the purchase of Babe Ruth. One of the greatest acquisitions in all sport history.

Enjoy your Sunday!

Back to Key West in the 1970’s. A time of discovery. The beginning of rediscovery for this gem of an island.

Today, writers. So many have populated Key West. A bit of history re where they lived in the 1970’s.

Many ended up renting small cottages on Windsor Lane. Across from the cemetery. It became known as the Writers’ Compound.

The authors found it a good place write. Something about Key West made it conducive.

Most were winter residents. Lived elsewhere other times of the year . Generally in luxurious homes. The Writers’ Compound provided only small cottages. Their winters a different lifestyle.

Too many writers to list. A few will be named.

Richard Wilbur was a prime mover in bringing his compatriots to Key West. He was the U.S.’s 2nd Poet Laureate. A Pulitzer Prize winner.

Another Pulitzer Prize winner John Hersey. Most famous for A Bell for Adano. He also wrote Key West Tales, a series of short stories.

John Ciardi wrote poetry and prose. Frequently spoke on National Public Radio.

Famous movie actor Richard Burton’s foster father Philip Burton took up winter resident in Key West, also.

An interesting observation., Most of the early authors were not gay. They were straight and lived in the Writers’ Compound with their wives. It was not till the 1980’s that the gay community discovered Key West.

I was out and about last night. Felt good.

Fist stop of course was the Chart Room. John bartending. A bunch of Chart Room friends seated at the round table. Room was made for me.

Enjoyed being with them again. Steve and Cindy, Jean and Joe Thornton, and Sheila.

Steve and Cindy are experts when it comes to the 1970’s. They lived and worked in Key West those years and are still here.

I learn much about the old days when I chat with Steve. Last night was Richard Boone time. Paladin in Have Gun, Will Travel. A successful TV series back in those days.

Boone was visiting Key West. He discovered the Chart Room. Steve says he kept himself happily inebriated the whole trip.

Jean, Joe and I were off to the Hot Tin Roof afterwards for dinner. First time for me in quite a while. Food, help and atmosphere still the best.

New menu was terrific to choose from.

Jean and Joe were my benefactors during Irma. I was an escapee to their home in Birmingham. A close relationship developed from the experience.

We had a good time.

As I was leaving the Chart Room, I heard “Louis.” It was Bob from Pandora, Ohio. Bob and his charming wife Cathy. We had never met before. Bob told me the connection. He has been reading this blog for years.

Love you, Bob!

Bob and Cathy have visited before. The last time 5 years ago. They are staying at the Pier House. Bob is the owner of a window and door business. Cathy is retired. Became bored. Returned to work part time. At an Arby’s! Children grown and out on their own.

Nice people. Wish I had more time to chat with them. Jean and Joe were waiting outside for me, however.

This afternoon at 4 at Jack Flatts. Syracuse/Notre Dame with my friends, Syracuse fans Don and Chris and Dan and Lisa. I look forward to seeing them. It has been almost a year since their last visits.

New Year visitors still here.

I have said it before and I say it again, Key West is way overcrowded this time of year and during season. Even the tourists are complaining.

Traffic an abomination. Took me 15 minutes to travel U.S.1 to the Boulevard from the golf course.

Tourists pay no attention to cars. They walk in front of you without looking. Bicycle riders all over. Each an accident in the making. Key West has had the most bicycle accidents in the State of Florida 2 years running.

Duval too crowded to walk on.

The City fathers are killing the goose that lays the golden egg. Tourism will eventually cut back. Because even the visitors will be upset. They will go elsewhere to vacation.

Money talks. No question about it. The Hill.TV Democratic Presidential Poll came out yesterday. Bloomberg tied for third with Warren.

And he has only just begun!

The funeral for the Iranian general killed in Iraq a couple of days ago was yesterday. Mourners walking next to the car carrying his body and behind it chanting “Death to Americans!”

Yesterday, they wept. Today they will weep. Eventually the weeping will stop and be replaced with revenge. How and in what form will it come?

A world wide conflict could occur because of the general’s death. The Middle East is a hot bed. Muslims must have their revenge. Someone has to pay. The Americans first. It was a U.S. drone intentionally aimed at the general’s car that caused his death.

Trump, Pompeo or someone else in our government said, “The strike was aimed at deterring future Iran attack plans.”

Recognize that the death of one person can cause a major conflict. Archduke Franz Ferdinand’s assassination in 1914 eventually led to World War I.

Enjoy your day!

Brief and to the point.

Was the killing of Qassem Soleinani intentional or accidental?

To hear Trump, it was planned. The U.S. had to get him. He was planning to do further harm to U.S. personnel and interests.

Trump however is not speaking about the incident with the same bravado he normally does. I think the death was part of an unusually harsh retaliatory action. The dead man had nothing to do with it.

U.S. responses proportional? I don’t know. Everyone shooting and killing. However, the U.S. doing most of the killing.

Khomenei promises “harsh retaliation.” It will come. Trump has unreasonably treated Iran since he “cancelled” the U.S./Iran 2015 agreement.

Are we at war? You tell me. Assume Vice President Pence  was intentionally or inadvertently killed at the Toronto Airport by Iranians. Would we then be in an open war with Iran? A declared one? Of course.

I am concerned Trump’s bombing which resulted in Soleinani’s death was not authorized or decided upon following consultation with Congress. Only Congress has the right to declare war. It’s in the Constitution. I forget. Trump pays no attention to the Constitution.

The Middle East has been a boiling cauldron for years. Wars everywhere. Not the “big one,” however. This could be the beginning. Iran has the capacity/influence to bring other Middle Eastern countries together in some sort of jihad against the U.S.

Nuclear bombs dropping all over the place.

An Apocalypse.

Found a parking place yesterday and was able to lunch at Harpoon Harry’s. Grabbed the only seat at the bar. Fortuitous. Sitting next to me was Devon Callahan.

Devon is my Chart Room friend. He is a snowbird. Owns a home here. Visits several months a year.

Love speaking with Devon! A source of knowledge. Important information.

Devon and his brother operate a large farm in northwestern Illinois. Soybeans, wheat, corn and the like. All sold through brokers. Generally to China.

Devon has been getting killed the past 2 years. Trump’s sanctions. He told me things are getting a bit better. Corn is beginning to move. Not yet soybeans.

He and his brother are getting hurt. However they are large enough to sustain the downturn in cash flow. As compared to many smaller farmers who have gone under.

He continues to be patient and wait. Nothing he can do. Not a happy camper.

Syracuse fans are in town. Don and Chris from Syracuse, Dan and Lisa from Skaneateles. We are going to watch the Syracuse game tomorrow at 4. Against Notre Dame.

All die hard Syracuse fans. Love watching the games with them!

Paul Pasqualoni is one of the nicest guys I have met. Soft spoken, easy going, a gentleman.

I knew Paul when he was Syracuse football coach back in the 1990’s and early 2000’s.

Not the best, not the worst as a coach. Better than most in recent years. His Syracuse record was 107 wins, 4 Big East titles, and 7 AP top 25 finishes.

Pasqualoni announced his retirement from football recently. The past few years, he has been defense coordinator for the Detroit Lions.

I wish him well in retirement.

I noted somewhere that former Syracuse quarterback Eric Dungey has been designated THE Syracuse Football Player of the Decade. He was. A great quarterback. He could run as well as pass.

Trump has mentioned on occasion he would like to be President forever. He admires world leaders who rule forever.

On this day in 1925, Benito Mussolini declared himself Dictator of Italy. He appointed himself Prime Minister forever. Forever lasted to 1943. Eventually his own Italian people shot him and his mistress, took them to a gas station, and hung their bodies upside down from a metal gas station pole.

Another “leader forever” was Mussolini’s friend Adolph Hitler. He was handed the Chancellorship of Germany on a civil platter. In effect begged to become Chancellor. One year later, he was designated Fuhrer.

Hitler did not waste time securing his position. He had the Reichstag pass the Enabling Act which gave Hitler’s cabinet power to enact laws without the consent of the Reichstag for 4 years and also the power to deviate from the German Constitution.

Hitler was Germany’s #1 from 1933 to 1945. In 1945, Hitler committed suicide and his body was burned together with Eva Braun’s outside the bunker in Berlin.

The Wright Brothers were the first to successfully fly. The year 1903.

Others previously tried. All failed.

One of the earlier attempts was by Leonardo da Vinci. He tried on January 3, 1496.

Everyone considers da Vinvi to have been only an artist. He had other talents. In addition to designing a plane of sorts, he worked on a tank, concentrated solar power, and an adding machine.

I frequently mention the blind cannot see. In those instances, I am making reference to people who refuse to understand what is real, what is truth.

My comment not original. I learned this morning that da Vinci is given credit for it. He wrote, ” There are three classes of people: Those who see. Those who see when they are shown. Those who do not see.”

A 30 year old English town counselor wanted all government owned facilities to be gender neutral. He was referring to gender neutral toilets. Campaigned on the issue.

He was recently arrested. Charged with 9 counts of sexually touching a child. He resigned his position immediately.

Some persons are fortunate to work in a field where everything they do creates/inspires happiness and joy. Such a person was Jerry Herman. The Broadway legend. The Broadway composer.

Hello Dolly one of his biggest hits.

Herman died December 26.

I mention him because he was once a Key West resident. Lived at 626 William Street. Composed music while residing there. Also had another source of income. He purchased dilapidated homes, renovated them, and then sold them.

May he rest in peace.

Jean and Joe Thornton have returned. I am meeting them at 5:30 at the Chart Room and then going to dinner with them later.

Enjoy your day!