Key West gets relatively little rain in December. In fact, December is one of Key West’s driest months. Except this year!

It has been a wild ride!

Normally, Key West averages 1.8 inches for December. This year through December 21, 6.4 inches.

One news report at the end of November described the December projection as “a few rainy days.”

Was the report wrong!

Note the averages set forth for this December are only through the 21st. Yesterday turned out to be one of the heaviest December rain days in my experience. It poured all day. Heavy and down straight.

I have lived in my present home 3 years. Never any flooding. Yesterday there was for the first time.

Around 5, I opened the front door intending to go out. No way. My street was flooded. Five inches. Water coming up and covering sidewalks, moving into driveways.

If it was that bad where I live and a first time thing in 3 years, it would be worse on US 1 and most streets in Key West.

Cannot find an actual total for yesterday. I would project it at 5-6 inches.

The rain was not coming off the ocean. Off the Gulf. Unusual.

No rain early this morning as I am writing. Weather report advises light showers ending at noon. The worse of the storm is out over the Atlantic.

Key West was not the only area affected. All of South Florida. Heavy flooding. The Fort Lauderdale Airport was closed. Seven inches had fallen saturday night. Hollywood had 8 inches in a 24 hour period.

Tourists come to Key West to party at night and lie in the sun by day. No sunny beach days in a while.

What do tourists do?

The bars! Afternoon and night! Packed!

Makes sense.

Many will try the museums. A problem involved, however. Lines to purchase tickets mostly by standing outside.

I read a comment by a women who frequents Key West this time every year. First time rain. What would she do today? A problem. She’s pregnant. Acknowledged no drinking for her.

This morning’s KONK E-Blast carries a picture of the first Douglas School for African American children. A 2 story white framed building. The student body seated on the lawn in front.

The picture was taken in 1870. The Civil War had ended in 1865. Separate but equal technically became the law of the land via the Plessy v. Ferguson 1896 Supreme Court decision. Yet it was being practiced in Key West as a practical matter 5 years after the Civil War had ended.

In 1975, the TV series Caribe was being filmed in Key West. Stacy Keach was in Key West  for the filming.

There is a saying…..I would not trust that person on a stack of bibles! I would find it difficult to believe a Saudi Arabian Muslim on a stack of Korans!

The Saudis announced one hour ago that 5 Saudis had been  sentenced to death over the murder of James Khashoggi. Fifteen had been tried. Ten released for insufficient evidence.

I continue to hold Saudi Arabia responsible for 9/11. They are our friends. Gave us $4 a gallon gasoline.

Smart. Know how to handle people. Were up Trump’s ass during his visit there.

The trial apparently was not public. I was not aware of it till this morning.

The world is entitled to know all the facts claimed.

The Saudis are like Trump. They lie.

As another saying goes, I sense something stinks in Denmark here.

Trump and Kim “lovers.” Trump met with Kim face to face 3 times. Kim says Trump reneged on any deal at the last minute the third time they met. Kim wants sanctions removed. Trump has been reluctant.

Kim apparently has reached the end of the line. He has been promising a “Christmas gift” if nothing done by December 25.

Trump says he is not concerned. Lending a sense of I have everything under control. I hope better than he has had other things under control.

The worst threat would be a missile fired on the U.S. North Korea may have finally developed the capacity. The missile a nuclear warhead bearing one.

A good way for Kim to get the message to Trump that he is not screwing around.

Following their first meeting in Singapore, Trump announced, “There is no longer a nuclear threat from North Korea.”

Reminded me at the time and continues to remind me of Neville Chamberlain’s return from Munich. As Chamberlain got of the plane upon arriving home, he waved a piece of paper that apparently Hitler had signed and said, “Peace in our time.”

Hitler invaded Poland shortly thereafter beginning World War II.

Justice. An interesting term. Comes in various ways.

On this day in 1941, Wake Island surrendered to the Japanese. On this day in 1948, former Japanese Premier and Army Chief Heduki Tojo and 6 other Japan war leaders were executed in Tokyo.

What goes around, does come around!

Syracuse beat North Florida 82-70 saturday night. A good game. Syracuse had never before confronted defense problems with which the team had to deal.

North Florida is a 3 point shooting team. Prior to the Syracuse game saturday, North Florida was #1 in 3 point shots made nationally.

North Florida played their usual game. Took 47 3 point shots. Fortunately, only made 17.

Tomorrow night…..Santa Claus!

Christmas Eve my favorite holiday. Love the decorations, the kids going crazy over Santa Claus, the 7 fish meal, etc.

My children had a Santa Claus visit every Christmas eve. I continued the tradition in Key West with Robert and Ally. They are now 15 and 14. No longer believe in Santa Clause.

I will miss his visit.

Enjoy your day!

Political correctness can be taken to the extreme. Like saying Merry Christmas to an agnostic. Not proper.

The comedian Whitney Cummings tells the story of a Merry Christmas she said to a bunch of coworkers last year.

It was a few days before Christmas. She was leaving the studio. Shouted out a “Bye, guys! Merry Christmas!”

One of her coworkers was an agnostic. He reported her to Human Resources. She was called in.

When told that the agnostic had turned her in for the “Merry Christmas,” her response was, I don’t “know who believes in God and who doesn’t. And I also can’t guess either, you know?”

Her response correct. Too much is becoming expected of us in our daily lives.

December 21, 1988, was a sad day. Pan Am 103 went down over Lockerbie, Scotland. At 31,000 feet, a bomb exploded in an audio cassette which had been placed in a suitcase in the cargo area.

All 243 passengers killed, as well as the 16 crew persons.

One hundred eighty nine of the dead were Americans. The number included 35 Syracuse University students who were returning from an international study program.

Syracuse University remembers the day every year with various commemorative events. A statue has been erected in their recognition.

An occurrence such as the Pan Am bombing touches people everywhere one way or another. Many families and parents will suffer today recalling the event.

One of the Syracuse students was Suzanne Marce Miazga. Her home was Marcy, a suburb of Utica.

Speaking of Syracuse, the basketball team plays North Florida at 6 this evening in the Carrier Dome. Syracuse is favored. I wish the team well.

While the House of Representatives was voting to impeach Trump this past week, Senate Majority Leader Mitch Mcconnell was not idle. He had the Senate approve 13 more judicial nominations.

McConnell is proud of his handling of the judicial nominations. He has successfully packed the court with Conservative Republicans. An action that will affect American justice for the next 30-40 years.

Do not think once a person becomes a judge that their prejudices, political leanings, etc., are left behind. They are not. They are carried onto the bench every day.

I know from experience.

McConnell is proud of himself. He is fulfilling his promise to “leave no vacancy behind.”

Trump continues to preach the economy is good, has never been better.

Yesterday, I asked why then is the Federal Reserve pumping $350 billion on a repos basis to banks during the present 2 weeks.

Trump claims manufacturing is good. Everyone knows such is not the case. Industries are closing or scaling down all over the country. The most recent affected U.S. Steel.

U.S. Steel announced yesterday it was laying off 1,545 workers at its Great Lakes Works in Michigan. The layoffs will occur between May 1, 2020 and the end of the year.

Production will be transferred to the Gary Works facility. Only the production. No employees.

Good job, Donald! You did it again! I assume the tariff you imposed on China re steel is one of the factors leading to the layoffs at the Great Lakes Works.

The past 2 years have seen a large number of DNA tests being sold. Many given as gifts. A ton will be given as gifts this Christmas.

It was reported yesterday that there are privacy and accuracy concerns.

Enjoy the fun of the DNA tests. However, keep in mind the admonition reported herein.

On this day in 1912, President William Taft arrived in Key West. He toured the City, was honored at a luncheon, and then sailed away on a Navy to ship to Panama. The purpose of the Panama trip to inspect the construction of the Panama Canal.

On December 21 and 22, 1956, actor Burl Ives visited Key West. He was a guest of his friend Tennessee Williams.

Burl was in the Keys to pursue his hobby: Bird watching.

Enjoy your day!

Yesterday’s blog interesting. Thomas Paine’s American Crisis. Wrote and published it yesterday morning. One problem. It did not publish.

I was not aware till 12:30 this morning. I could not sleep and decided to do some research. Checked blog Comments first. Someone advised he could not get the blog and assumed I did not do one yesterday.

Problem same as a few weeks ago. Something now involving Go Daddy. Needed Sloan. Would not wake her at the late hour.

I was up at 5 this morning. Checked the blog. I could get in. Noted Thomas Paine blog had not published yesterday. Republished it this morning.

Everything working well. Yesterday’s blog now available for reading.

Sloan cannot deal with Go Daddy as to why the recurring problem. Go Daddy can only investigate if problem exists at time they are contacted.

We wait for another day.

Today’s blog a bit short. To keep your attention. Two days worth of blogs to read!

Today’s blog title asks the question…..Who is a deeply immoral person? Donald Trump, of course.

I did not phrase it that way. A leading evangelical did. Mark Galli. Mark is Editor in Chief of Christianity Today. A top evangelical magazine. Billy Graham founded Christianity Today in 1956.

Galli’s editorial may be his last. He had already tendered his letter of resignation to be effective in 2 weeks.

Whatever, there appears to be a crack in the evangelical duke.

Note that 80 percent of evangelicals supported Trump in 2016.

Galli admonished Trump’s evangelical supporters: “Remember who you are and whom you serve…..The facts in this instance unambiguous.” Trump using his political power to coerce a foreign leader to harass and discredit one of the President’s political opponents. “That is not only a violation of the Constitution; more importantly, it is profoundly immoral…..Trump is a deeply immoral person.”

Galli further wrote, “Remember who you are and whom you serve.. Consider how your justification of Mr. Trump influences your witness to your Lord and Savior…..It will crash down on the reputation of evangelical religion and on the world’s understanding of the gospel.”

Rain has discovered a new winter friend. Key West.

Rained again yesterday and will rain again today. The rain yesterday biting. Constant. A strong wind from the northwest. Accompanied by 66 degree weather mid afternoon.

I was out in the rain. Got wet again.

Had the heat on in the car to get the chill out of my bones. The heat on at home during the night.

Temperature back up today. Seventy nine high with an evening low of 72.

It was haircut time at noon. I am losing it. No question. My appointment was last thursday, not yesterday. The hairdresser not concerned. Immediately worked me in. Be aware it takes all of 5 minutes to run a #1 electric razor over my head.

Then to Harpoon Harry’s for lunch. It was around 2. Packed. I was surprised. Key West generally dead the week before Christmas. I got the last seat at the bar.

Decided to do some Christmas shopping. I am a last minute person. Thought I would be early this year.

Key West is not replete with great stores. Tops for clothing would be Ross’ and Sears and Roebuck.

I stopped first at Ross’. All the people. Lines long at checkout counters. Not for me. I turned around and left. I will give checks.

Key West loves Harry Truman and Harry Truman loved Key West.

Truman left Key West this day in 1949 for  Washington after a 3 week vacation at the Little White House.

The Democratic Debate last night from Los Angeles. Sponsored by Politico and PBS.

The debate the best yet. Could be because of the smaller number of candidates. Everyone had sufficient time to make their points.

The moderators left much to be desired. They all do during Presidential debates. Their 15 minutes of Presidential exposure brings out the worst in them.

Tough persons all. Their tone and conduct insulting. Appears they want the country to know how smart they are as inquisitors.

Last night the worst of the worse was Tim Albert. Hope he enjoyed himself.

The only moderators I would credit for having performed their responsibilities well were the 4 ladies who moderated the November debates. Andrea Mitchell, Rachel Maddow, Kristen Welker, and Ashley Parker.

It has become increasingly clear to me over the years that if you want something done correctly, let the women do it!

I mentioned several days ago about the gigantic Fed bailout in place these 2 weeks. The Federal Reserve is expected to flood banks and hedge funds with overnight funds. Pay today, money repaid tomorrow.

Referred to as “repos funds.”

In the present 2 week time period, $365 billion will be loaned to banks and financial institutions on a repos basis. Overnight loans.

Does not make sense? Why do the banks need such short term funding? Is there a problem again with the banks?

What is occurring is a “bank bailout.” Similar to 2008, though over a much shorter term. The problem is with Wall Street’s trading houses.

The problem primarily involving “collateral” for short term loans. Generally between banks and hedge funds.

There is a lack of good quality collateral. The Fed repos loans hide the problem and assures there will not be bank failures large enough in magnitude to bring the U.S. economy down in a matter of days.

I am concerned. However my concern goes deeper. Why has the media failed to share this information with the public? The people have a right to know the banks are screwing around again.

M I C K E Y MOUSE. Mickey Mouse!

Remember? The Mickey Mouse Club.

I bring those days to your attention because Tony Cole, one of the original Mouseketeers, is celebrating his 78th birthday today.

Happy birthday, Tony!

Enjoy your day!

I believe we live in crisis times. such being the case, today is the time to recall anther American crisis.

It was the winter of 1776. American troops were demoralized. They had recently suffered humiliating defeats. Washington feared his troops would go home and not return. The war would be over.

Thomas Paine was a concerned individual. His Common Sense publication had been a clarion call that began the Revolutionary War.

He wrote then: “These are times that try men’s souls…..Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered.”

The preceding lines from Common Sense might be applicable today. However, such is not the thrust of what I write.

Paine felt another incendiary publication was required. One that hopefully would rouse the colonial troops to remain and fight.

He wrote “American Crisis.”

American Crisis met the challenge. His words a rallying cry.

Washington had American Crisis read to the troops. His dispirited men.

Paine’s rousing prose had its intended effect. Washington’s beleaguered troops mustered their remaining hopes for victory, crossed the Delaware, and defeated Hessian troops on Christmas night.

On January 2, the same troops defeated Britain’s foremost general Cornwallis in another battle.

The American Revolution was on its way!

Popeyes opened a fast food operation in Key West a few days ago. I have been trying to stop in and try the chicken. It has been 20 years or better since I have enjoyed Popeyes.

Problem is the new place is always crowded. Morning, noon and night. Parking lot full. Window service lined with cars backed up into the Boulevard.

It will be next week sometime before I will get the opportunity to try the new Popeyes.

The Nutcracker Suite an American tradition. Key West always does it its own way. There is the fish Nutcracker presented every 2 years. Outstanding!

A new Key West Nutcracker this year. A burlesque one. Sugar Rum Cherry: A Burlesque Nutcracker. A naughty holiday 2 act reverie.

The show opens tonight and runs through sunday at the Key West Theater.

A Key West hero who will be remembered forever is Mel Fisher. Now dead, he had an interesting career. Difficult at first, then success beyond anyone’s contemplation except his.

Fisher spent 15 years searching for the sunken Spanish galleon Atocha. Its treasure worth millions. Not easy. Fisher did not always have enough money. But he somehow came up with it whenever necessary.

While searching, he had to fight lawsuits and weather. He finally discovered the Atocha mother lode in 1985. $400 million in gold, emeralds and other special artifacts.

In 1986, a made for television drama film premiered. Mel Fisher’s success story. Dreams of Gold: The Mel Fisher Story. Starred Cliff Robertson.

I never met Fisher. Before my time. I have met Cliff Robertson, however. He returned to Key West several times thereafter. A good looking personable chap. Once spent an enjoyable evening in his company.

Fort Zachary Taylor having a special holiday celebration. Actually, 2 holidays.

Tomorrow and saturday there will be a presentation at the Fort demonstrating how Civil War soldiers celebrated Christmas and Hanukkah. Only 1 hour per day. From noon to 1 pm.

Watched Syracuse play Oakland last night. Syracuse won 74-62. Not a great game. However Syracuse won and that is the important thing.

I felt ashamed as I watched the game.

The Carrier Dome looked empty. Only 16,000 spectators. Less than half the Dome’s capacity.

Oakland made it a game. Behind by only 1 or 2 points several times.

With 6 minutes to go, Syracuse scored a 3 pointer and was 5 points ahead. The crowd had been quiet up to this point. Boeheim is aware how spectator participation can move a team to play better.

Boeheim turned to the crowd and raised his arms as if to say let’s start yelling and screaming. Let’s get into it!

The response close to muted.

An insult to Boeheim. An insult to the team.

Concededly Syracuse is having perhaps its worst season ever thus far. Things are that bad! Boeheim looking to the crowd for support an indication of such.

Boeheim said after the game,  “It’s sad, it’s sickening really, to see that we can’t get some help.”

Why did I feel guilty? Because I have been down on Syracuse this season. Down on a team that has provided me so much pleasure and joy over the years.

No more.

Go ‘Cuse!

The House impeached Trump yesterday. From my perspective, deservedly so.

Each House member got to speak. Some Republican comments were disgusting. One Republican compared Trump’s impeachment to the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Another to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.

One even called for a standing 60 seconds of silence to recognize the sadness of Trump’s impeachment. The Republicans all stood for the 60 seconds.

The crucifixion and Pearl Harbor inappropriate comparisons.

Trump was at a rally in Battle Creek, Michigan last night.

Trump does not know how to let the sleeping dead lie. He also seems to enjoy knocking American heroes.

Recall his words re John McCain. Trump did not consider him a true hero because he was captured. A capture that resulted in his spending almost 6 years in a Vietnamese prison. Severely tortured most of the time.

This year, Democratic Congressman John Dingell died. From Michigan. A tough representative. Highly respected.

His wife has replaced him in Congress.

Yesterday, Debbie Dingell voted 2 times to impeach Trump. Last night Trump made fun of her and her dead husband at the rally.

Trump made a big deal how he did everything for Debbie when her husband died. He had the flag lowered to half mast.

He inferred John Dingell was in hell. He said, “Maybe he’s looking up. I don’t know.”

Respectfully, the President is a scum bag. He lacks humanity. He lacks empathy.

On this day in 1941, Hitler took command of the German Army. He made himself Commander in Chief. His motivation being that the German invasion of Russia was a disaster.

Could it happen in the U.S.? A civilian President appointing/anointing himself Commander in Chief of the Military? Before Trump, I would have said no. Now, I wonder.

Enjoy your day!

Most speak of today as an historic one. Trump will officially be impeached by the House of Representatives.

After the first of the year, the trial will take place before the Senate. The odds are Trump will be found not guilty. Not because he is not. It will be that the Republicans control the Senate and have the votes to “exonerate” him. A result lacking in truth.

There is some historic value to the day. However, I consider it more a solemn one. Impeachment is heavy stuff. Sufficiently solemn that it is sad. Joy does not attach.

Trump deserves the black mark history will place on him. The U.S. does not deserve what he has done to it.

Strange weather Key West is experiencing. It is raining every day! Not the time of the year for Key West to be getting dumped on. Summer and early Fall is Key West’s rainy season.

These days it rains in the morning, afternoon and evening. Never know which. Sometimes all. I had dinner last night at La Trattoria. When I was ready to leave, it was pouring. I sat at the bar and waited a while. The rain finally stopped.

It was 3 blocks to my car. I made it one block. As I crossed Southard, it began raining again. Just like that poured!

I got soaking wet.

Key West sits in Monroe County. The County has an excellent Sheriff. Rick Ramsey. He has been Sheriff many years. By the book, a straight shooter.

Captain Penny Phelps has been a member of the Sheriff’s Department many years as her rank denotes. She was in charge of the Detective Division.

She screwed up and lost her job. She has been made to turn in her badge and gun. Her years of service could not protect her wrongdoing.

A suspect was being interviewed for a 2017 murder. A black man.  Phelps told a subordinate to interrogate the suspect and act like a racist cop in an attempt to pressure the black man to confess. Her actual words were to act like a “white racist cop.”

Audio picked up her directive.

Tomorrow, a big day at the Key West Airport and for the City of Key West.

American Airlines has added a new direct round trip Key West to Dallas-Fort Worth to its flight list. All year long.

First flight tomorrow. The 124 passengers scheduled to arrive will be met with a water cannon salute, music, and a party of Key West citizens in welcome.

The flight arrives at 3:30. Anyone wishing to participate should arrive at 3:15.

PBS’ Samantha Brown recently visited Key West and certain other lower keys. Brown is in her third year doing a 30 minute travel show for PBS. Samantha Brown’s Places to Love.

The show will be aired on PBS in January. Date and time not certain yet.

The Florida Keys News yesterday reported the film will show Samantha doing a food taste in downtown Key West, spending time learning about Key West’s past and present authors while participating in a literary walking tour, show a sunset and song with Howard Livingston, learning about lionfish, and visiting the Marathon Turtle Hospital where she will participate in the release of a now healthy sea lion back into its ocean home.

A good and a bad sometimes attaches to an event. It has as regards Cuban/American relations.

Five years ago on 12/17/14, Obama and Raul Castro agreed to the reestablishment of diplomatic relations. An historic event. It followed 60 years of open hostility.

The Obama-Castro reconciliation lasted 2 years. Till Trump became President. Trump has destroyed the relationship. Today it is as if the 2 nations had never come back together.

Trump has spent roughly as much time undoing detente as Obama spent constructing it. Relations today are at their lowest ebb since the end of the Cold War. Such has made it difficult once again for visits to take place and economic assistance provided.

One of the reasons for Trump’s actions against Cuba involve Venezuela. Venezuela supported Cuba for many of the 60 years the U.S. and Cuba were not on friendly terms. Though Venezuela has all kinds of dire problems today, Cuba refuses to turn its back on its friend of many years. Trump is anti-Maduro and insists Cuba must abandon its relationship with Venezuela.

Man flew for the first time. December 17, 1903. The place Kitty Hawk, North Carolina.

Brothers Orville and Wilbur Wright made the first successful air flight in history. The plane stayed aloft 12 seconds and traveled 120 feet.

Amazing! Even more amazing is how far the world has come with air flight. Man on the moon, outer space in the beginnings of its development.

Justice does move slowly. Especially in southern states where black justice is involved. Even to today.

Black man Curtis Flower was arrested 23 years ago and charged with perpetrating a quadruple murder. He has been tried 6 times since. Each trial resulted in a hung jury or a reversal in his favor on appeal.

Authorities have kept Flowers in jail for 23 years hoping to obtain a conviction against him that would stick.

In each trial, the prosecutor had intentionally excluded persons of color from sitting on the jury.

Excluding black persons under such a situation from jury duty and keeping a man in jail for 23 years without obtaining a conviction both no no’s in the law.

A court finally admonished the prosecution for their wrongdoing. Flowers was released after 23 years on $250,000 bail.

Some form of justice finally done.

It is uncertain whether Flowers will be tried again.

A surprising fact. College enrollments in the past 8 years are down. Dramatically. At the same time college loans have skyrocketed. Even more dramatic! And nonsensical.

More women attending college today more than men. A “stunning” revelation.

In the Fall of 2011, 20.14 million students were enrolled in colleges. Today, 17.97 million. Such represent a 10.8 percent drop, 2.17 million students.

At the same time, student loans surged 74 percent. Does not make sense! Student loans went from $940 billion to $1.64 trillion. A trillion dollars plus! Something stinks.

Profit colleges are taking the biggest hit. The Harvard, Yales. Since 2010, enrollment is down 56 percent. From 1.64 million in 2010 to  750,000 today.

Since 2011, male enrollment has dropped 13 percent while female enrolment has increased 19.4 percent.

Two reasons suggested as to why the declining numbers.

Young people go to college to get a degree which would make it possible to earn more dollars over the course of their lifetime than those who did not attend college. Not true any more. Persons holding bachelor degrees are working in McDonald’s and Popeyes.

Many of the young are reluctant to attend college if they are going to be faced with overwhelming college loans to pay following graduation.

Trump says the economy is good. Wall Street says the same thing.

I disagree.

The economy is good for the rich/wealthy. Not for every day persons.

The proof is in the pudding. Facts speak.

Look at auto loans and home mortgages. Two things the lower economic class are sure to do.

Auto rejection loans (rejection the operative word) are up 8.1 percent this past October from October last year.

Mortgage and mortgage refinancing applications approvals are down dramatically from 2018.

People cannot meet bank “loaning standards.” The standards have not changed in recent years. Peoples’ cash flows have. One reason, earnings have remained static too long.

Moody’s warns the only way banks can get back into the auto and home loan businesses big time is to change “loaning standards.” In other words, loan to those with “spotty credit.”

The banks will do it. They are in business to loan money to make money. They will worry about customer paybacks a couple of years down the road. First things, first.

The problem, and an obvious one, is it could be the 2008 bank financial disaster all over again. Such was the result of banks loaning money to most people regardless of their ability to pay back. The game got its start in 2006 when the banks would loan mortgage money to anyone, bundle loans, and then sell them to investors. A new trading product.

The banks made a ton of money in 2-3 years. Then disaster befell them. People could not repay the mortgage loans. Millions lost their homes in foreclosures. Banks were in trouble. The government had to bail the banks out. No one bailed the people out.

Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou last night. One of my better shows I thought. You can find it archived if you are interested.

Tonight Syracuse/Oakland. I try not to think about the games any longer this season.

Enjoy your day!

The coral reef off Key West is dying. It has been dying. Everyone along the keys is concerned. Groups are working hard to figure out why and remedy the situation.

The coral reef off Key West is part of the Florida Reef. Runs out to the Dry Tortugas and northward along the keys. Consists of 6,000 plus individual reefs The complex is 5,000 to 7,000 years old.

Coral cannot subsist on the Florida Reef.

Coral reefs are dying all over the world. Except for one place. French Polynesia. The coral alive and blooming. Fish life active.

Scientists do not know why French Polynesia is alive, not dying. Scientists are trying to figure it out. Hoping the discovery of any worthwhile information can be used to save the dying coral reefs worldwide.

When I was a little boy, I adored my grandmother for many reasons. Her love one. Her warmth another. Her outstanding cooking.

Old southern Italy preparation she had learned in the south of Italy.

From the time I was 4 or 5, I discovered ceci and fava. My grandmother prepared them often. Taking my age into account, means from the late 1930’s onward I was gouging myself on ceci and fava.

When my grandmother passed on, ceci and fava were no longer part of my life. They followed my grandmother to the grave. My mother never made them. I assume they were just not part of her culinary skills.

Occasionally in my adult years, I would see a bottle of ceci and fava for sale in a grocery store. Always bought a bottle or more. None as good as Grandma’s.

Ceci and fava a mixture of roasted salted ceci beans (generally chickpeas) and favas beans. First soaked, then roasted, followed by a spritz of oil.

The result a morsel to die for. Crispy, crunchy, and light.

Considered healthy. Loaded with protein, fiber, and iron.

Why the ceci and fava dissertation? This past weekend I found a package of them at Publix. Labeled Crispy Favas + Peas. In a blue plastic bag. A product of The Good Bean Company.

I pigged out. Have to return to buy several bags this time.

I recommend ceci and fava. A delight!

Key West is a drinking city. I go out rarely these days because the doctor says no more booze. Due to my pancreatitis attack several months ago. No fun being with a crowd imbibing and you are not.

Did go out last night.

Began with Dueling Bartenders at Aqua. Rick Dery a terrific singer!

Ran into Mary at the bar. I have not seen her for a month. Because I do not go out with the same frequency I did. It was good to see her again.

Rick has a sense of humor. I had mentioned I lost one of my credit cards. Then located it. It had been sitting on the kitchen table. I passed by the card several times over 3 days before seeing it. I ate at the same table 3 days running also.

Old age.

Anyhow, Rick said, “I lost my glasses because I couldn’t see.” Makes sense.

Rick sang an old song. A Marlene Dietrich one. Cannot recall the title. Rick’s professional career has taken him to many countries and caused him to meet many people. One was Marlene Dietrich. They became friends.

Some time after the star’s death, her daughter wrote a book about her mother. Marlene’s life had to be one hell of a ride!

Rick told the story of Dietrich showing up at her daughter’s apartment for dinner. Three ladies. Mother Dietrich, daughter Dietrich and granddaughter Dietrich.

During the course of dinner, Marlene opened her purse and pulled out a pair of a man’s jockey shorts. She asked, “Does anyone want to smell them?” They supposedly were President Kennedy’s.

Dinner with Mary at La Trattoria. Sat next to the lovely Jean Thornton. Returns home to Birmingham tomorrow for Christmas. Returns with husband Joe day after.

Jean introduced me to her friend Pat Benson. Pat from mid California. Has been visiting Key West for years. Looking to buy here.

As usual, enjoyed Carrie. Always personable and knowledgeable.

Homelessness a national problem. Key West part and parcel of the problem.

Many years ago, a federal court dictated that if a municipality did not want the homeless sleeping on the streets, the municipality had to provide some sort of shelter for them to sleep in.

Key West immediately complied. Not necessarily as a do gooder. Rather to keep the homeless from spending their evenings in the best neighborhoods and in tents running on U.S. 1 along side the golf course.

Key West constructed a tent city for the homeless. Large well framed tents, showers, toilet facilities, etc.

Over the years a further controversy has developed. The tents are located on County owned land next to the County Jail. The Sheriff has wanted the land for expansion of his facilities. Court proceedings galore.

A hopefully “final” decision reached. Things finally looking good. The homeless would be moved to new and better facilities.

The “final” decision not so final as it turned out. Problems still exist. The homeless continue to spend their nights in tents on County land.

The City of Key West Fire Department got involved. The Fire Marshall said too many beds. The facility not safe for evacuation purposes in case of fire or other emergency. The Fire Marshall eliminated 20 beds.

The facility is rarely full. The homeless tend to hurry to it on cold or wet evenings. Now all will not be able to be accomodated.

The problem continues.

Today is tuesday. Means my blog talk radio show tonight. Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. Nine my time. Join me. Trump guarantees the show to be an enjoyable listen. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou.

Trump keeps screwing around and Russia has gotten stronger. Putin a fox, Trump a chicken. Putin always beats Trump at what ever occurs.

The trade wars have pushed China into the arms of Russia. They are “becoming buddies.” Yesterday, Russia and China proposed the U.N. lift some U.N. imposed sanctions off North Korea.

Trump says not the time.

Under U.N. rules, the U.S.’s 1 vote is enough to block such a move.

The past couple of weeks, Kim Jong Un has been threatening  a “Christmas gift” to the United States if the the U.S. fails to come up with certain concessions North Korea seeks. Note that in spite of 2-3 visits between Trump and Kim and a “love affair,” nothing has happened. A situation where talk has turned out to be cheap.

Trump does not appear concerned.  Says he would be “disappointed” if Kim did anything. Trump’s attitude: “We’ll take care of it.”

Since their face to face meetings, Kim has not acted as one seeking friendship. He has engaged in 13-14 missile tests. The last 2 of concern. Each having the capacity to reach the U.S.

Christmas less than 2 weeks away.

Wall Street believes the stock market is on the verge of a “melt up.” Would be good! However, it depends on some sort of resolution of the U.S./China trade war.

An agreement is pending that would only “minimally” solve the many problems involved. Many consider the deal a poor one. A deal arrived at based on political expediency.

The deal sucks. If signed, would it move the stock market further upward? It would be wrong if the motivating factor is the agreement being bantered about at the moment.

Enjoy your day!

Spent several hours yesterday working with Sloan. A lot of catching up to do.

Interestingly, Sloan has been helping me 20 years. Lori cutting my hair 25 years, Tammy doing my nails 15 years, and Anna taking care of the house 22 years.

I should start giving out gold watches.

Stopped at Publix after Sloan left. Noticed something that occurs without question every holiday season. Supermarkets raise their prices. Most specials not anything people would buy. Generally, the non-sellers.

Irritates me.

In a tweet this past week, Trump commented that “…..Nancy’s teeth were falling out of her mouth.”

In retaliation, Pelosi should comment on Trump’s hair. She won’t, of course. Too much class.

Trump’s hair does deserve comment, however. It is unique. Special.

In 2017, Michael Wolff published the book “Fire and Fury: Inside Trump’s White House.” He commented that Trump’s hair was a feat of engineering. What was his secret?

He wrote that Trump’s styling secrets were revealed to him by none other than daughter Ivanka.

The President’s hair was described as an absolutely clean plate – a contained island after scalp – reduction surgery – surrounding a furry circle of hair around the sides and front, from which all ends are drawn up to meet in the center and then swept back and secured by a stiffening spray. Color is from Just for Men. The longer left on, the darker it gets.

Interesting information recently became available. More Americans are dying at home rather than in hospitals. For the first time since the early 1900’s.

The trend reflects more hospice care and progress toward the kind of end that most people say they want.

Death in nursing homes has also declined.

Betsy McNair lived in Belle Haven, Virginia. Her father Robert was 83. He died at home 6 weeks after learning he had lung cancer.

Betsy kept her Dad at home and the family took care of him till the end.

Regarding the experience Betsy said, “I made him exactly what he wanted to eat, whenever he wanted it. He had a scotch every night, he had a very high quality of life. If he woke at 2 o’clock in the morning and wanted to have coffee and pie, that’s what we did.”

Death at home cared for by family I find a strange experience. Families are falling apart. Many dysfunctional. Easier to dump Mom or Dad into a nursing home.

The values of the boomer generation are not reflective of the care Betsy provided her Dad.

A strange situation out there. One requiring explanation at some point. Involves a U.S. Space Force. The proposed budget for 2020 allocates money for a Space Force.

U.S. Air Force Lt. General Steven L. Kwast was in the center of pushing for a U.S. Space Force. He recently retired. Actually, he was “forced out” of the service.

Prior thereto, Kwast was considered to be first in line to command the Pentagon’s budding space force.

Outer Space is the next major battlefield. It is thought the U.S. military and industrial complex may have already developed next generation technologies. Kwast believes such could change the aerospace field and human civilization forever. Science fiction is becoming a reality.

China in the space field with both feet. Way ahead of the U.S.

The military issued a gag order on space related issues. For some reason, Kwast nevertheless spoke out. He was prematurely relieved of his command duties and blacklisted for promotion. Resulted in his retirement 9/1/19.

Several weeks after “retiring,” Kwast spoke at Hillsdale College in Washington, D.C. He said, “The power of space will change world power forever.” He cited China was already involved big time. China already had a “Space Navy.” Space destroyers and battleships.

Kwast was concerned China was getting the “high ground first.” If China gets further ahead, it will be hard to replace them as # 1 in space. Kwast described the situation as “curtains” for the U.S. should such occur.

I have a question. Why was Kwast “fired?”

On this day in 1773, the Boston Tea Party. A significant day in American history.

Colonists were irritated by Great Britain imposing taxes on them without their consent. Things had reached the boiling stage.

Colonists formed the Sons of Liberty. A “don’t screw with us group.” They wanted to send a message to the King: No taxation without representation. They did so by dumping tea from British boats into the ocean.

Several years later, Patrick Henry would say, “Taxation without representation is tyranny.”

Are U.S. investors wearing rose colored glasses? Lis Shalert, Chief Investment Officer of Wealth Management, thinks so.

Generally, strong market performance is based on a vibrant economy and robust corporate profits. The increases in the stock market are not so based.

She claims the “up” stock market is driven by Fed rate cuts and “expectations” for improvement in trade tensions, not strong economic growth.

She also believes manufacturing is in recession and corporate profits in decline..

U.S. stocks today look very expensive relative to earnings.

Investor optimism is misplaced. There is a growing wedge between reality and investor expectations. She basis such conclusion on economic treaties worsening, the U.S. consumer may not be as strong as expected, and the labor market could weaken.

Shalert points out that stock valuations are high at a time when the odds for disappointment are rising.

She believes the U.S. is vulnerable.

Today is monday. Dueling Bartenders tonight. Then a hearty meal at Antonia’s or La Trattoria.

Enjoy your day!

America won the Presidents Cup yesterday. The final round exciting!

America had begun 3 days earlier not looking the best. Scrambled  the next 2. Finally, came through big time in the 12 individual matches the last day. Winning 16-14.

A comeback victory!

I watched it yesterday. From 2:30 till 2 in the morning. Stayed glued to the TV set during the last 2 hours listening to the player interviews.

I am tired! As if I had played the 4 days!

Watched most of the Syracuse/Georgetown game before the start of the Presidents Cup.

Not Syracuse’s year! Lost to Georgetown 89-79.

The Syracuse record now a dismal 5-5. The worst 10 game start in 44 years.

To add salt to the wound, Georgetown only had 7 scholarship players available. Four players had left the team in the previous 2 weeks.

It is going to be a long Syracuse season!

Laura Richardson is the CEO of the Key West edition of the Florida Weekly. She does a magnificent job.

Laura is multi-talented. A law school grad, she packed it in after 1 year. Did not enjoy practicing law.

In addition to her position with the Florida Weekly, she owns the Salt Gallery on Fleming and the Salt Island Provisions on Stock Island. Located in the Perry Hotel.

Laura is also a performer. Can she sing! Frequently appears locally.

Her form of writing spectacular. Her words sing. Her talent unique.

Get a taste of her writing. Read her article “I Love Stock Island Festival” in the 12/3 publication of the Florida Weekly: Key West Edition.

The best thing I can say about Laura is that she represents Key West’s tomorrow. She is reminiscent  of David Wolkowsky in the 1960’s.

Michael Snyder is a Canadian blogger and commentator. The best! I have so said many times. He has that Nicholas Kristol-Tom Friedman approach to writing.

Snyder published a pertinent piece on 12/14 @ THEMOSTIMPORTANTNEWS.COM. Titled “Americans Lonely, Miserable and Depressed – The Legacy of a Society That Has Rejected Family, Faith and Religion.”

He believes loneliness rides a high scale. Depending on the study, anywhere from 46 percent to 72 percent.

Snyder recognizes this is “the happiest time of the year.” He follows up the observation with pop singer Mabel’s newest song released this past friday: “The Loneliest Time of the Year.”

He says “deaths of despair” are on the rise. Suicides. In every age and group.

The economy is good. So we are told. The market the highest ever, unemployment the lowest.

I find it difficult to accept the economy is in great shape. I sense a recession of some magnitude. I have been predicting such for 2 years. It has not happened. May it never happen. However, I cannot help but still believe it will.

The high market basically benefits the already rich. Unemployment may be low. The many jobs pay low hourlies. The middle class oft spoken about no longer exists. It disappeared years ago. Only the rich and poor exist.

The Fed is expected to take certain steps in the next few weeks to “keep the economy strong.” At least keep it from falling.

The Fed is expected to flood the market with gargantuan billions of dollars of liquidity to avoid a year end market crash. “At least” $50 billion on 12/23 and “at least” another $50 billion 12/30.

A “repos” plan is involved. The Fed will put the monies in one night and take it out the next day. Referred to in economic circles as a “turn.”

There is more.

The Fed will also do overnight “repos turns” 9 times more from 12/16-1/14. The first will be for $50 billion. The next 8 $35 billion each. The total a whopping $365 billion in the coming month.

My question a simple one. If the economy is so good, why is the Fed playing these games?

Sex and politics. Every now and then go hand in hand. Always in the game. Rarely mentioned, however.

A California Congressional District an interesting example.

Democratic Representative Katie Hill resigned her seat in October. A scandal had erupted. She slept with a Congressional staffer and a campaign staffer. Additionally, nude photos of the Congresswomen surfaced.

Everyone wants to run for her seat.

One is Cenk Uygur. A popular progressive political commentator. He has his own show: The Young Turks. A popular west coast talk show. He himself is also frequently interviewed.

Recently, he was endorsed by Bernie Sanders. The endorsement lasted one day. Sanders withdrew it the day following the endorsement.

Sexual comments are suddenly rising to the surface which probably will mightally affect Uygur’s candidacy.

He endorses sex with animals. In a 2013 interview he said, “I believe if I were the benevolent dictator of the world, I would legalize bestialiy where you are giving, you’re pleasing the animal.”

At another time, he came up with a scoring scale as to whether a man would permit a woman to “suck your dick.” If she was “hot” and a 9, 99 percent would. If only a 2 or 3, maybe 50 percent.

Another time, the comment “obviously the genes of women are flawed.”

My mid day will be busy. Sloan and I have work to do.

Enjoy your Sunday!

Morning Stew time again!

I have 2 days of notes to share. The reason being I limited yesterday’s blog to the UN Madrid meeting and a climate change solution discussed. Kill people! Too many people on Earth contributing to CO2 emissions.

Someone commented I should have discussed Brexit instead of the environmental issue. The reason I did not is the professional media highlighted Johnson’s victory.

Most are aware of Brexit and Johnson. Very few are aware of murdering a portion of the population to slow down global warming.

I open today with a short bit re Brexit. Technically the United Kingdom withdrawing from the Euro Union. Unintended ramifications may result however.

Johnson supports Brexit.

Johnson concerns me. He is an ultra right conservative. I suspect in the same mold as Trump. I sense England traveling the same path the U.S. has the past 3 years.

Enough re Brexit for the moment.

Not through with Johnson and Trump, however. Both are peroxide blonds. Their hairstyles best described as radical.

The English have compared Johnson to a “potato in a blond wig.” He also has a wayward tongue as Trump does. During the campaign Johnson claimed that voting for his party “will cause your wife to have bigger breasts.”

Trump has had his day(s) for insensitive negative comments about women.

Johnson and Trump are birds of a feather. Yesterday, today, and will be tomorrow.

A New Delhi convicted murderer says he should not be hanged because New Delhi’s air pollution is already killing him. India has some of the world’s most toxic air. Certain regions are referred to as “gas chambers.”

The man’s crime was the torturing and then raping of a woman on a bus.

One of the more extreme Republican Congressmen is Matt Gaetz.

This past week during the House Impeachment hearings, Gaetz raised the issue of Hunter Biden. The issue of Biden’s alleged drug and alcohol abuse.

He was immediately stopped by Georgia Democrat Hank Johnson who said, in effect, beware! Intimating Gaetz might be the pot calling the kettle black.

Gaetz’s father was a powerful State Senator.

Gaetz had his wayward moments. One DUI. Several others whose records could not be found. Re the one recorded DUI, Gaetz refused to take the breathalyzer test. An automatic one year suspension of a person’s driving license. His license was not suspended.

It is also claimed Gaetz had 16 speeding tickets between 1999 and 2014.

Gaetz not an Obama supporter. He was a prominent proponent that Obama was not an American citizen. He also claimed Obama had “homosexual tryists” with Massachusetts Governor Devan Patrick and Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist.

Interesting since some claim Gaetz is reputed to have an alternate gay lifestyle.

I am not sure what is true and what is false re Gaetz. I have shared that which is out there.

FOX News is not always correct. Re the following, I am in complete accord however. FOX’s representation that “iguanas have turned Florida into Jurassic Park.”

Florida is finally encouraging its homeowners to kill iguanas found on their property.

Current iguana problems include: Battling each other, showing up unannounced in people’s toilets, digging underneath house foundations, chewing up power lines, and destroying sea walls.

Florida has finally recognized that the iguana population is exploding exponentially. Florida fears it may have waited too long to deal with the problem.

Iguanas began showing up in the 1960’s in Miami-Dade County. Native to the Caribbean, Central and South America, they were shipped to south Florida as pets. The pets left their new domiciles and became marauders.

Melania Trump is anti-bullying. One of her pet projects is discouraging bullying. Her campaign is labeled Be Best.

Greta Thunberg is a 16 year old environmentalist from Europe. She has been traveling the world discussing the need for everyone to combat climate change and global warming.

Time Magazine last week recognized Greta as Person of the Year. There she was on the cover of Time Magazine.

The President was apparently unhappy with her selection. So he bullied her. He tweeted: “So ridiculous…..Greta must work on her Anger Management problem, then go to a good old fashioned movie with a friend. ‘Chill Greta, Chill!'”

I never cease learning. Today, blue whales.

Described as the largest known “animal.” It is an “animal.” A marine animal.

So big. Bigger than the dinosaur.

Up to 100 feet long, weighs 200 tons, tongue weighs as much as an elephant, heart as much as an automobile.

Why so big interesting. Food availability. Prey. Other fish. So many in the ocean that each time in gulps a mouthful, the intake is huge and adds to its size.

Popeyes finally opened in Key West thursday. I drove by. Traffic in parking lot and in line in road heavy. When things quiet down, I will try Popeyes’ chicken.

The noted poet Robert Frost spent the winter of 1934 in Key West.

It was the heart of the great Depression. Franklin Delano Roosevelt was President. He began the Federal Emergency Relief Administration.

Julius Stone was appointed Administrator of the Southeast Division. Included Key West.

Stone envisioned Key West as a tourist attraction. An astute observation! He worked at making it so.

One of the first things he did was to make Key West an attractive place for actors, authors, artists, etc., to visit. That is how Robert Frost got to Key West the winter of 1934. He was part of Stone’s program.

This morning’s Citizens’ Voice carried another complaint about the price of tickets for performances at the relatively new Key West Amphitheater. The complaint: $99 tickets “robosold” within seconds to “scalpers” who in turn resell them for $400.

Locals are left out in the cold.

Recall, I had this problem when I went to buy Willie Nelson tickets.

The City should look into the problem. I have a developing concern. I worry the City may be getting a pay back (probably legal) from the operators and scalpers. Or, perhaps the operators themselves. Again doubt it is illegal. It is not right, however.

Let’s find out how the system works. And if possible, make it work for the benefit of Key West locals also.

Penis fish. Yes, there is such a breed.

Look like a penis. About 10 inches long. Even has what appear as testicles at one end. Some describe its appearance as that of a “wiggly pink sausage.” Others as a  flotsam from a wrecked bratwurst freighter.

Pink penis fish have been around 300 million years. Live 25 years.

They are found only from south Oregon to Baha.

The penis fish live under the sand in the beach area near shore. The underwater beach area. Called the intertidal zone. A strong storm occurs. It pulls the penis fish up and out and throws them on shore. Thousands at a time.

Syracuse plays Georgetown at 1 today. An old rivalry from Big East days.

The President’s Cup is tiring me out. Being played in Australia. A much different time zone. Kept me up to almost midnight 2 nights ago and last night till after midnight.

Today the final day. Twelve matches. I have no idea when they will finish.

Kim Jong Un keeps testing Trump. Trump keeps doing nothing. Trump claims he and Kim are friends so he is not concerned.

This past week, North Korea tested another super dooper missile capable of carrying a nuclear warhead and reaching the United states.

Appears to me Kim is saying to Trump: “Up yours!”

Kim has set a deadline of the end of the year for the U.S. and North Korea to work things out.

The “love affair” has obviously ended.

Another of Key West’s exciting attractions tonight. The Christmas Boat Parade. Many dressed up boats participating. Thousands on shore watching. For personal reasons, I will not be participating.

Enjoy your day!