Pride Month is a time dedicated to the celebration of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender pride. It is generally celebrated during the entre month of June.

The concept of Pride Month had its beginnings with the Stonewall riots in late June 1969. The riots lasted several days. They began on June 28 at the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar in New York City.

Pride marches began the following June.

The number of LGBT groups increased over the years. No longer a time of conflict, but one of pride and support. The support is not total, however. There remain religious and cultural  groups opposed to Pride Month on ideological grounds.

Key West celebrates Pride Month, the entire month of June, with PRIDE. 

Hurricane season began yesterday. Many experts believe it could be the worst in recorded history.

Two causation factors. One has been abnormally warm Atlantic Ocean waters. The other potentially strong winds formed by an emerging La Nina weather front. The two if combined, as expected they will, could create the worst of storms.

Donald Trump is a creature of New York City. Once considered his playground. No more. It has become his battleground. One where he keeps losing. His ego was tainted first. Then his bottom line. Now perhaps, his freedom.

Need to cut salt intake? Japan has the answer. A “battery operated spoon” which enhances the salty taste of low-sodium food without the need for extra salt.

It is called the “Electric Salt Spoon.”

USA Today’s 2024 Best Beach in Florida winner is Delray Beach. Spans two miles.

Congratulations! With all the beaches in Florida, it’s a big deal to be designated #1!

Trump’s attorney in the New York City hush money case, the trial which was  just lost, is Todd Blanche. A respected attorney. You can’t win them all, especially if Donald Trump is your client.

Be that as it may, Blanche is also Trump’s lead attorney in the Florida documents case. In a televised appearance Thursday evening, Blanche said, “We are going to start fighting every day in Florida.”

Hurray for his bravado!

I have to smile. Especially as an attorney. Trump has the judge in the documents case, Judge Cannon, in his pocket. Her conduct so far reflects it. She does not appear to be competent. In addition, she seems to bend over backwards to rule in Trump’s favor on pre-trial issues.

Chinese Checkers is not a Chinese game. Not born in China. Chinese Checkers was invented in Germany.

It has been a somewhat popular game in the U.S. since the late 1920’s.

Babe Ruth is considered the greatest baseball player ever. His career lasted 22 seasons. He participated in 10 World Series. Hit 714 home runs.

The beginning of greatness. On this day in 1835, P.T. Barnum and his circus began their first tour of the U.S.

I attended Manhattan College in New York City from 1953-1957. An excellent choice. It gave me the opportunity to explore New York City itself. To see and discover things I might not have.

52nd Street was a string of night clubs. Beyond anything I could afford. However, I made friends with one who ran one of the clubs. Such provided me with free access on occasion. My interest was to see certain top performers.

One was Ray Charles. I recall the evening vividly. I stood immediately to one side of Charles as he played the piano and sang. With a group of other standees. I stood in the first row about 5 feet from him.

Charles was blind from the age of 7. Glaucoma the supposed cause. His disability, if it was to be described as such, did not affect his talent.

He was one of the greats!

Enjoy your Sunday!

At 11 am yesterday, Trump spoke at a pre-arranged press conference at Trump Tower. The press was present. They never got to ask a question. Trump spoke ad infinitum. In his usual manner. Rambled on and on.

He left me with two impressions. One having to do with his appearance. The other his truthfulness.

His appearance was pathetic. Even I felt sorry for him. He looked tired and beat up. It’s still a long way to the election. Taking his age into account, his significant overweight, and the way he eats, he could be heading for a heart attack before the election. I know from experience what is involved. He should consider his health and his life.

Truthfulness. What truthfulness? He lies. If he were Pinocchio, his nose would have been touching the ground. His talk replete with misstatements. He expelled a gusher of falsehoods re the trial.

Maybe he does not know how to speak truth. It may not be part of his being. It’s impossible for him to speak the truth about anything.

In spite of  his poor appearance and lies, Trump claims he had a big night money wise following the verdict.

He claims he took in $38.4 million. Hard to believe. Assuming he is telling the truth, the American people have lost their way. If he is elected, most will regret their poor judgment in voting for him within the first year. His path of ruin and destruction will be obvious. Adolph will have accomplished major steps in killing the U.S.A.

Trump’s supporters were calling for “riots and revolution.” Websites were flooded. 

His comments re Judge Merchan give me concern for the Judge’s safety. Serious concern.

Marian Robinson, mother of first lady Michelle Obama, died at 86. She lived in the White House and “worked” as grandmother to her granddaughters Sasha and Malia. She did it to assist Michelle in performing her duties as the President’s wife.

Marian raised a great daughter and helped in raising two great granddaughters.

May she rest in peace.

“King Alito’s” arrogance has reached frightening new levels. Beyond the flags. It is reflecting itself in his decisions.

Democrat Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia is no more a Democrat.  He announced yesterday he is leaving the party and will now be an Independent.

He claims U.S. politics are broken. Makes me laugh. He helped break them. He was a thorn in the side of whoever was President. He was responsible for some major significant deals failing because he did not provide his Democrat President with his vote.

He played God too many times. 

Manchin advised several months ago he would not be running for reelection to the Senate again. Rumor has it he may run for Governor.

Manchin and his family have grown rich over coal and pharmaceuticals. A typical today Washington politician. Got rich on the job!

A Papua, New Guinea update.

The massive landslide occurred on May 24 and buried villages and people. Estimated dead 2,000. Earth and debris 2 stories high. People still digging with spades, sticks and their hands. Only 6 bodies found so far. Officials say they do not expect finding many survivors.

Plymouth, Massachusetts a first in many respects. On this day in 1838, the first ever earthquake in the U.S. hit at Plymouth.

How many lives have been saved? The Heimlich maneuver for rescuing choking victims was published in the Journal of Emergency Medicine for the first time this day in 1974.

Busy yesterday running around. Date & Thyme, drug store, Publix and bank. Enough for me these days.

I parked my car where I normally do two nights ago. On the street under a tree. Yesterday when I went to begin my jaunts, it was covered in some sort of defecation. My car had been shit on. Tons of it. On the roof on the driver’s side, the front window and right fender. Tried to clean it. No way. Solid as rock. The car requires an expensive cleaning.

Darling Joan, contact me. I am concerned not having heard from you and unable to contact you.

Enjoy your day!

Trump was convicted on all 34 felony counts. The jury returned its verdict on its second day of deliberations.

Trump was convicted of falsifying business records to cover up a sex scandal that threatened his ascent to the White House in 2016.

He is the first American President to be declared a felon, a stain he will carry as he seeks to regain the Presidency.

The 34 counts broke down as follows: 11 counts related to invoicing, 12 counts related to ledger entries, and 11 counts related to checks.

Sentencing is scheduled for July 11.

Trump was released on his own recognizance pending sentencing.

Without question, Trump will appeal. 

Trump’s sentencing date July 11 has another historical significance. It was on July 11, 1804, that Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr fought a duel. Pistols were used. Burr killed Hamilton.

The two had been political enemies for years. Came to a head and conclusion at the duel.

Trump will campaign as a martyr. He did it “for us.” He’s “fighting for our country.” Claims he is a “political prisoner.”

Don’t buy it folks.

A comment by a reader in this morning’s Washington Post: “I’m amused by the fact that the old racist and antisemitic was brought down by a woman, an Hispanic judge, Jewish attorneys, and a Black man. Truth, Justice, and the American Way.”

A federal judge has ruled Wisteria Island is owned by the United States. Losers in the case were the Bernstein family and other private parties.

The decision ends a 13 year battle. Appeals likely. So the decision is not the end.

The U.S. victory is a big deal only for the government. A hollow one, however. What will the U.S. do with Wisteria? Probably nothing, which is what it did for decades before the 13 year battle began.

A contrary resolution would have been better. Development would have occurred. Another Sunset Key. A hotel, homes, condominiums, a major restaurant, etc. Much better than a “bare ass” tiny island sitting out there like a sore thumb.

Key West was cheated out of another Sunset Key. Wisteria will be a “squatters’ paradise.” A residence for the homeless.

Justice sometimes takes time. Adolph Eichmann’s execution an example.

Eichmann was a Nazi official who played a significant role in Hitler’s Holocaust. It took years to catch and punish him. He was hanged this day in Israel in 1962.

Clint Eastwood still enjoying life. Today is the actor’s 94th birthday.

Another famous individual is Joe Namath. The professional football player is 81 today.

Sister Joan: Telephone me. My phone got screwed up and I lost a lot of numbers. Yours one of them.

Enjoy your day folks! 

My beloved grandkids Allie and Robert are home from Florida State University for summer vacation.

I was walking at Winn-Dixie Shopping Center yesterday around noon and heard a loud “Poppa!” It was Allie with a girl friend. We spoke a while. It was good to see her. She is lovelier each time. She has her old job as hostess at The Reach for the summer.

Allie did well this past semester. Three As and 2 Bs. She volunteered the two Bs could have been As if she had worked harder in the two courses. I was impressed she saw the error of her ways and intended to be guided by it when she returns to school.

I have not seen Robert yet. 

The three of us will get together soon for lunch.

Justice Alito a misguided bag of wind.

He wrote a letter to Senators Durbin and Whitehouse that he will not recuse himself from January 6 related cases. The issue having to do with two flag issues. One at his Virginia home, the other at his wife’s New Jersey beach house.

He goes a step further in this letter when he advises that similar to the Virginia flag, the New Jersey one was his wife’s idea also and flown without his knowledge.

I think he lies.

Alito demeans the Supreme Court further with his decisions.  He must be removed from the Court. He and Thomas. Both thrown off. There must be a way.

The Louisville Police Department capitulated. Charges against Scheffler were withdrawn yesterday. The County Attorney filed a motion to dismiss all charges against Scheffler.

Police Officer Gillis is lucky. He would have had to perjure himself to make the charges stick. His own wrongdoing would have placed him in jeopardy.

Gillis is the type of police officer who should not serve. Louisville should dump him. He has a track record of wrongdoing. The Scheffler incident merely another. Will there be more? Absolutely. It’s the nature of the beast.

Florida received a title this week, one it has previously had: The Shark Capital of the World. The title the result of a study by the Florida Museum of National History’s International Shark Attack File. Its decision covers the U.S. and the world.

 Last year, Florida recorded 16 confirmed unprovoked shark bites. The number represents 44 percent of total cases in the U.S. and 23 percent worldwide.

Cause of Florida’s prominence:  Florida’s warm and clean water which has increased. Warm water attracts many type fish. The multitudinous variety call Florida home. Sharks feed off them and their abundance.

A $2.8 billion settlement is awaiting judicial approval. If approved, it will allow schools to pay college students directly for playing sports.

Wrong in my opinion. I have never approved of students being paid to play. Their “pay” is the free education they get. Generally covers tuition, room and board. Plus in many institutions, a side job to provide pocket money.

The settlement will result in big bucks being paid to many college athletes. In six figures and perhaps to the very best in the millions.

Not right. Bothers me. Even the way college athletes are being paid to play today. Who move from one school to another when attracted by bigger bucks.

Biden scrambling to win back Black voters. He better. He needs them!

Blacks are wrong to favor Trump over Biden. Trump will screw them royally in the final analysis. Biden has treated Blacks more than fairly. His record speaks for itself. From judicial appointments to other things. Trump will promise them everything and deliver nothing. Such is Trump’s record. His only interest is the rich.

There have been four Madison Square Gardens. Four different buildings.

The first a railroad station which through 4 different successive owners converted the facility and renamed it Madison Square Garden.

Eventually torn down, a larger facility erected in its place. Not profitable. Demolished.

The third Madison Square Garden was built in 1925 on Eighth Avenue. Many the game I watched there while in college.

In 1963, the original Penn Station was torn down. A group built the current Madison Square Garden in its place.

This day in 1431 was a bad one for Joan of Arc. Her good was debunked. She was burned at the stake.

This day in 1917, the jazz standard “Dark Town Strutters Ball” by  Shelton Brooks was recorded by the Original Dixieland Jazz Band.

The Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. One of the U.S.’ outstanding memorial statues was dedicated this day in 1922.

If the opportunity presents itself, visit Washington and view it. Moving!

On May 30, 1967, American motorcycle daredevil “Evel” Knievel’s motorcycle jumped 16 automobiles in Gardena, California.

I knew Evel. We met at La Costa outside San Diego sometime in the late 1970’s or early 1980’s. Became friends.

He was in the area with his 165 foot yacht. He invited me to join him for a few days on it and we traveled South California Pacific waters.

A fun experience!

Enjoy your day!

Many important things occurring world wide. So much to report. This morning a local problem has significant importance. Hurricane season is scheduled to begin monday. Will last several months.

As with most things, you must have experienced a hurricane or two to appreciate the seriousness. I have several. Life changing for a period of time. Scary. Dangerous. Unbelievable.

Experts predict a dangerous season. They generally do. Sometimes right, sometimes wrong. Hope they are wrong this season.

Summations were completed yesterday in Trump’s trial. The Judge will charge the jury as to the law this morning and the case will be in their hands from that point forward.

Judgment time finally reached!

Closing statements occurred outside and inside the court house yesterday. Citizens spoke. One was actor Robert DeNiro. Not a Trump fan, He described Trump as a “clown…..bullshitter and liar…..one who wants to eliminate the Constitution.” DeNiro wants Trump convicted and out of American politics once and for all.

I am not sure it will work that way even if Trump is convicted.

Inside the court room, the defense summed up first. Trump’s attorney described Trump as a “victim.” He attacked Cohen viciously as expected. He said Cohen was “the greatest liar of all time…..the human embodiment of reasonable doubt…..the MVP of liars…..guilty of perjury…..Stormy Daniels called as a witness only to embarrass Trump.”

The prosecution main points were “Trump sought the subversion of democracy……the hush money payment to Stormy Daniels was part of an illegal effort to inflict the 2016 election.” The prosecutor used texts and phone calls to create a paper trail. He went over the items in detail.

He also said “the hush money payment was paid in October 2016, two weeks before the election to influence the election…..the payment was fueled by political panic that he was going to lose. “

The key he said was a tape of Trump telling Cohen to “pay cash.” He further accused Trump of trying to “hoodwink the American voter.”

An indication Trump’s popularity is diminishing is that his family was heckled outside the court house.

Trump is making sweeping promises to big donors. Anything and everything. His recent meetings with them have Trump telling each group what they wanted to hear. Promised them whatever he thought they needed and wanted.

One to two million dollars usually got  a donor a private lunch with Trump. The past week has Trump telling his donors the number now is a $25 million contribution. To one group, he said $25-50 million or he would not be “very happy.”

He’s bold. Tells donors to their faces it is in their interest to cut large checks.

Individual contributions are limited to $3,300. per person. However Trump can appear at his Super Pac where the price of admission is higher. As long as Trump does not ask for their money directly.

Trump may have gone over the line in asking for the millions in some instances. However nothing will come of it and he knows it. The Federal Election Bureau is gridlocked with 3 Republicans and 3 Democrats and is unlikely to investigate any of Trump’s fundraising in an election year.

Another example of how our government is f–ked up.

This day in 1937, Sloppy Joe’s held its grand opening at its new location on the corner of Duval and Greene Streets.

Big news this day in 1953. Edmund Hillary and Tensing Norgay became the first climbers to reach the summit of Mount Everest.

Disgusting! What occurred “in the name of God.” The Washington post published a detailed article this morning describing how for decades, Catholic priests, brothers and sisters raped or molested Native American children who were taken from their homes by the U.S. government and forced to live at remote boarding schools.

The Washington Post investigation revealed pervasive sexual abuse endured by Native American children at Catholic run schools in the Mideast to the Pacific Northwest, including Alaska. Most of the documented abuse occurred in the 1950s and 1960s. Involved were more than 1,000 children.

The sexual abuse was described as “a national crime scene…..They did it in the name of God.”

Lawsuits and settlements followed.

Pope Francis traveled to Alaska in 2022 to apologize for the Church’s role.

Rome is crowded big time during the summer season. Horribly so!

Steve and Cindy recently visited Rome. Their stories and photos of the crowds unbelievable. 

I spent a month in Rome 35-40 years ago in May and June. Only one place was crowded. The Sistine Chapel. Shoulder to shoulder. Really crowded. Worth the experience and inconvenience, however. Michelangelo’s beauty above on the ceiling. The fingers reaching out to touch.

Don’t miss the Sistine Chapel if you visit Rome.

Enjoy your day!

I wrote yesterday of Memorial Day’s significance. Briefly, but pointedly.

A quote from an Opinion piece in today’s Washington Post speaks to Memorial Day better. Better than I expressed: “Arlington National Cemetery’s headstones speak with silent eloquence of the price paid for what we have.” Silent eloquence…..

Netanyahu caught with his pants down. What he claims to have been an inadvertent error. The deaths of 45 persons and 240 wounded. Netanyahu describes it as a “tragic accident.”

An Israeli air strike. A horrific scene. Charred bodies and screams. The airstrike near a Lebanese hospital.

Pope Francis spoke a “bad word” in Italian. Did so before an audience in attendance for his blessing sunday at the Vatican. The misspoken word a ‘lapus lingua.” A slip of the tongue.

Francis used the word “cazzo.” Equivalent to “penis, prick, pecker and dick.” LGBT people ae upset that the Pope would use such a “vulgar word.” He meant to say “caso” which means “case.”

He quickly corrected himself.

The Italian press wrote the blunder was unlikely to hurt the Pope’s image among Italian people. Francis is already considered to be a bit of a “bad boy,” having owned a pair of Harley-Davidson motorcycles for a short time.

Closing statements begin today in Trump’s hush money case in New York City.

Closing statements can have a value. Generally however a jury has made up its mind and the summation is merely a perfunctory act when it comes to right and wrong. However, there are instances where the closing statement can move a jury to an opposite decision they had already formulated. Rare, however.

It happened for me and against me. I recall one case that was a clear win for my client. The proof went in easily and it was clear he was in the right.

Opposing counsel was an excellent attorney. Did his job well. Not an eloquent convincing speaker, however.  Except for that day. He over excelled in summation. Even I was impressed.

My client who had the winning side got hit with a $300,000 verdict.

It happens. That’s why it is said you can never know what a jury will do.

This is 2024. Racism rules established. Even though not always followed.

Arthur Grand Technologies is an IT firm based in Ashburn, Virginia. The Justice Department fined the company for a “whites only” job posting. The company was fined $38,000 for posting the discriminatory job advertisement.

The ad also included “only U.S. born.”

Global warning. A new report advised that since May of last year, the average person has experienced 26 more days of abnormal warmth than they would have without global warming.

It is obvious Donald Trump must have financial problems. Lawyer fees alone consuming him. He has to pay some of them.

It was reported in Newsweek that Trump has sold one of his private jets “amid spiraling” legal costs.”

Trump has to win the Presidential election for a number of reasons. The position to do favors. The position to manipulate situations. He will find a way.

On this day in 1934, the Dionne quintuplets – Annette, Cecile, Emilie, Marie and Yvonne were born to Elijire Dionne at the family farm in Ontario, Canada. The girls were identical. “Identical” means created from a single egg. 

They are the first quintuplets known to have survived infancy. All made it to adulthood.

Today is their birthday. Two have survived to 89. Annette and Cecile.

Their total weight at birth was 13 pounds 6 ounces. The highest weight was 3 pounds 4 ounces, the lowest 2 pounds 4 ounces.

Their mother Elijire went into immediate shock during the delivery, but recovered in 2 hours.

An interesting story. Their lives even more so. Not what you might have expected. I plan on sharing it in bits and pieces over the next few days.

Enjoy your day!

“In Flanders Fields where poppies blow…..Between the crosses, row on row.”

The words created in the early stages of World War I. Authored by Lt. Col. John Mc Crae.

Today is Memorial Day. A federal holiday to honor those who died in the service of the their country. The United States of America.

Cemeteries committed to the war dead are special. You immediately know when you see and feel one.

I have been to Arlington National Cemetery twice. The experience the same each time. Emotional. Extremely so.

Many years ago, I was on a one month vacation in Italy. A family trip. My wife, three of my children and my parents. Rented a villa on the

Mediterranean in Livonia some 40 miles outside Rome. Livonia is near Anzio. Anzio the place where Allied troops effected a major landing

during World War II.

One day I was out alone driving around the area. Saw a cemetery. No question, a military one. The crosses lined neatly row after row. The grounds and shrubbery neatly trimmed.

It was a British cemetery.

I walked row after row. Read the captions on the crosses. Age, rank and name included. I was amazed how young most were. Highly ranked at an early age. Dead at an early age. Majors 24 years old.

Then I came to a series of crosses that bore a singular description: Known To God Alone. I immediately started crying. The tears came fast and heavy. I was so moved.

Flanders Field was written during World War I. The war to end all wars. Unfortunately, we have experienced many since. How many more will we experience? The handwriting is on the wall. It is obvious there will be more. Sadly stated.

A Harvard student Commencement speaker went off script to rip Harvard for refusing to graduate 13 who had been involved in disruptive anti-Israel encampments. Hundreds of graduates followed her speech with a supportive walkout.

The 13 broke Harvard’s rules. They claim they exercised free speech. Their right. However, resulted in conflict. One which required the 13 to pay a penalty for violating Harvard’s standards. The way of the world.

Such is life! Do what you want and say, but be prepared to pay a price for the conduct if such is warranted.

Life is difficult for many. Some cannot handle it and resort to suicide. Such was the way of 30 year old PGA Golf Pro Grayson Murray.

May he find in death that which was unavailable to him in life.

Why? Far right Israeli settlers stepped up attacks on aid trucks bound for Gaza. The trucks loaded with aid were passing through the West Bank. Their actions blocked food from reaching Gaza. The result, the Palestinians in Gaza are sinking deeper into famine.

I am proud to say for a number of years this blog has had followers from Papua, New Guinea. 

A recent slide has buried more than 2,000 people. Many children. Several villages totally buried. Survivors are digging with their hands to locate and rescue those who might still be alive.

Thousands are displaced.

Pope Francis continues to have a difficult time keeping the Catholic Church together. He is constantly persecuted. The man amazes me how he stands up to the conservative right who are anti-Francis. Those who oppose him seek political glamour and gain, not the love of God.

Even some nuns are against him. Sixteen Spanish nuns announced they are placing themselves under the authority of Pablo de Rojas Sanchez-Franco, a self-styled bishop who was excommunicated in 2019.

An issue causing the schism involves Francis’ support of same sex couples. Francis has given priests the power to bless same sex couples.

Experts say COVID variants will be here this summer. May be a significant problem. We hear little about it from the government. Many of these same experts believe the American public will be unprepared under the circumstances.

Trump tells wealthy donors behind closed doors that he will crush pro-Palestinian protesters, deport campus demonstrators and, support Israel’s right to continue “its war on terror.”

Many of the donors were of Jewish extraction.

Justice Alito’s flag flew upside down. Are his ethics?

Enjoy Memorial Day!

It is that time of the year. Summer is here. Northern waters warming. Especially Massachusetts waters. Sharks have returned.

I spent many a vacation in Cape Cod. Generally, Chatham. Stayed at the Chatham Bar Inn. Chatham the best and the Inn itself outstanding.

Sharks common place. The warm Cape waters attracted them. Lifeguards were always pulling us out of the water.

I do not recall Whites. Glad I do not. Monsters. Would have freaked me out!

Southerners were traitors and insurrectionists in their time. They are traitors and insurrectionists now. The only difference is grey uniforms as opposed to red hats.

Trump continues to lie. He speaks with a forked tongue. Unfortunately, many believe him.

His recent lie involves the crowd at Trump’s Bronx rally thursday. Trump claims 25,000. His campaign had only acquired a permit for 3,500.

FOX News, MAGA media people, and the official X account of the Republican Party reported 25,000.

Aerial footage of the event and ABC’s coverage indicated a much smaller number. The Daily Beast had a reporter there who estimated 1,000 attendees.

Trump will never change. Once a liar, always a liar. A leopard does not change his spots.

Trump was loudly heckled and booed at the Libertarian Convention saturday. A sharp departure from what he is accustomed to.

We are going through a period where the value of a college degree is being questioned. Contrast it to when I was in high school in the early 1950’s. A college degree was everything. I had to go to college. A necessity as far as I was concerned. It was the ticket to success. In most instances, guaranteed.

No more.

The cost to obtain  the degree and after graduation getting a job paying an annual salary to begin fair in comparison to the cost of the degree rarely exists.

A number of considerations involved. Colleges do not necessarily consider themselves bastions of teaching nor preparing students to earn decent compensation in the working world. They are money making entities.

Syracuse University an example. Syracuse announced this week that the sticker price for a Bachelor’s degree will climb close to $90,000 a year. Tuition is rising by $2,400 to an average of $63,710. Room and board is increasing by just over $3,000.

Nothing to be proud of.

The problem is colleges today are run as businesses. Top paid professors and staff. Students at the bottom of the list of concerns.

How many Bachelor degrees warrant $90,000 a year. Students are being cheated.

Things have changed dramatically from when I went to college. College for me was 1953-1957. I do not recall accurately what it cost. My mind recollects $2,400 a semester. I was able to work my way through. Understand that money had a different value back then. A loaf of bread was 5 cents, an ice cream cone 5 cents, a gallon of gas around 15 cents.

Law school was another story. The cost out of sight. A professional school. Again I cannot recall with certainty how much. A hell of a lot more than $2,400 a semester. Whatever, I worked my way through law school also. Married and had my first born the summer before senior year. Still handled it.

Never borrowed a penny for college or law school. Did supplement the monies required with a few scholarships along the way. 

Loan programs did not exist. Those today are disasters. Obvious to all. Students burdened with overwhelming debt. The ones who made money and came out ahead were the colleges, banks and government. All got a piece of the action off the extravagant costs added on to the monies borrowed.

Women were discriminated against in the workplace in the mid 1800’s. During the Civil War, doctors for example, demanded male nurses. Clara Barton defied them. She was a trailblazer and became known as the Angel of the Battlefield. She eventually founded the Red Cross.

Trust you are having fun this holiday weekend. I miss the family cookouts.

Enjoy the weekend!

Love historians! Some spend their lives studying life as it was lived hundreds of years ago and after years of study discover new or additional causes of events.

A new theory has originated re the cause of the Bubonic Plague aka the Black Death.

One way of describing the Black Death is it was a bubonic plague pandemic occurring in Europe from 1346 to 1353. Fifty million died. Equated to 50 percent of Europe’s 14th century population at the time.

Causes are thought to be many. One of the most popular involved Pope Gregory IX. He believed cats were evil. Especially black ones. Satanic in nature. He issued a Papal Bull directing all European Catholics to kill cats.

They did. Cats were eradicated.

Cats killed rats. With the elimination of cats, rats multiplied and ran rampant. 

Rats carried the germ that caused the Bubonic Plague. With no one eliminating or controlling the bug, it caused the Black Death of the 50 million persons mentioned.

Cats were redeemed and with their return the Plague ceased.

Last tuesday, a study was published that came up with a contributing factor to the Black Plague. Body lice. A carrier.

Makes sense. People during the time of the Black Plague did not wash. Many went their entire lives without bathing.

There are other purported causes. From way back when. Others will be discovered in future years as body lice has recently. People study and discover. What’s next?

The UN’s top tribunal The International Court of Justice ordered Israel to halt military operations in Rafah. All the Court can do is “order.” It has no means to enforce its judgments.

Even if it had means, I doubt Israel would comply. Israel always goes back to World War II when no one helped Jews who were annihilated by Hitler to the tune of 6 million people.

Bryan Gillis is the Louisville Police Officer who arrested Scottie Scheffler. He has been a policeman for 16 years. During that time he received condemnations and disciplines. A significant number of disciplinary charges.

Previous reprimands include 5 days suspension for “conduct unbecoming” an officer for driving an intoxicated civilian in his police vehicle and doing “donuts” in a business parking lot. He was also disciplined for pursuing a “vehicle that did not commit a violent felony or wanted on a warrant.” He was found “at fault” for accidents on 8/6/19 and 5/22/21. He was found “at fault” for a 12/1/13 accident which led to mandatory driver training. Gills was suspended at one point for failing to show up in court. Such was followed up in 2012 for continuing to miss court appearances.

He is not a “clean hands” officer. Based on the disciplinary charges, Gillis’ conduct fails to meet the smell test. It stinks.

News reports suggest there is an attempted “cover up” on going. Unfortunately for Gillis, Scottie Scheffler was the wrong guy to pick on. Scheffler is Mr. Clean himself.

House Speaker Johnson announced Netanyahu will be speaking before a joint meeting of Congress soon.

Wrong!!!

His appearance represents Republican game playing again. A Republican Congress invited Netanyahu in 2015 to speak. Behind President Obama’s back and without Obama’s permission. His visit was to assist Netanyahu in lobbying against the nuclear deal which Washington  wound up signing with Iran later that year.

The purpose of Netanyahu’s visit this time will be to embarrass Biden.

Republicans are sick. Anything to win. Anything for Trump. Prior to Netanyahu’s earlier visit and the coming one, the Presidnet invited Presidents and heads of state of other nations to visit Washington. Even to enjoy the honor of addressing Congress. An arranged opportunity by the President of the U.S.

The heat level will be big this holiday weekend in South Florida. Heat feeling in excess of 100 degrees. It will feel like August in May.

Recommended that people remain indoors with air conditioning going.

This heat is bothering me. First time I can recall. Though my new aortic heart valve has energized me, the heat is knocking me on my ass. I follow my own advice and remain in. However, I still must go out for a bit each day. The shortest walk becomes an effort.

Judy Blume is one of Key West’s finest citizens. I discovered yesterday that a Service Area on the Garden State Parkway is named after her. The Judy Blume Service Area.

Judy was born and raised in Elizabeth, New Jersey. She is a New Jersey Hall of Famer. The Monmouth Service Area was named after her in March 2022. Other Service areas named after New Jerseyites include Larry Doby, Jon Bon Jovi, James Gandolfini, Connie Chang, and Frank Sinatra.

Judy has achieved world fame. Her novels have sold 82 million copies. She and her husband now reside in Key West and own and operate Books and Books.

I have three daughters. Judy’s books were allover our home during their upbringing.  I never read any. However, I did find amusing her titles. Like “Are You There God? It’s Me Margaret.”

Enjoy your day!

Clarence Thomas is a black bigot. A black man who wants to be white. He gets closer to it every day.

In the South Carolina racial gerrymandering case decided yesterday, Thomas voted with the six Republican majority. The victory definitely anti-Black. The decision will make it harder for civil right advocates to bring racial gerrymandering claims. Thomas supported the majority position in a concurring opinion. He had to write one apparently motivated to let everyone know how white he has become.

In the concurring opinion, Thomas implied the Supreme Court should stop intervening in the redistricting process of States’. His way of articulating the Court should not hear racial gerrymandering cases. 

Is he crazy? Racial gerrymandering cases are the Black persons’/minority’s way of seeking relief where a Republican state legislative body votes to screw its Black population out of the power of their vote.

Thomas used his concurring opinion to also write a strong rebuke of Brown v. Board of Education suggesting the Court had overruled its authority in the landmark decision. The landmark decision that banned separating Black  school children by race.

His contrariness re racial gerrymandering cases and rebuke of Brown v. Board of Education shows his Black mental pigmentation is receding and his White coming out. He is succeeding in being accepted as a White man in White circles.

Thomas and his buddy Alito have to go from the Supreme Court. 

Yesterday’s South Carolina decision requires specific mentioning. The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 in favor of Republicans that South Carolina did not unlawfully consider race when they stripped Black voters of the power of their vote. The decision will make it harder for civil rights plaintiffs to bring racial gerrymandering claims.

The vote was 6-3, The 6 Republicans voted in support of the decision, the 3 Democrats opposed. Even more repulsive, Justice Alito wrote the majority decision.

Two thirds of Democrats fear violence may follow the Presidential election. Based on a Reuters/Ipsos poll released yesterday.

I agree if Trump loses, there may very well be violence. It is the nature of Donald Trump. His way is ruination. His actions in defeat could  result in a civil war. If per chance Trump wins the election, within a short period of time the U.S. will become a dictatorship. Yes, a Reich. Donald will become Adolph.

The hurricane warning came out yesterday. It was predicted the hurricane season could be the worst in decades.

Eight to 13 hurricanes, four to seven major ones. Most aggressive ever.

The cause is primarily attributed to global temperatures. It has been unusually hot. Cyclones intensify three times faster as a result.

The DOW dropped 605 points yesterday. The DOW closed at 39,065.26.

It was the worst day of 2024 for the DOW.

Worry not. What goes up, must come down. And vice versa.

The market may rise today. If not, bad news Another down day will not be a good sign.

Trump rallied in the Bronx last night in hope of attracting Black votes and making New York State go Republican in the Presidential election. New York has gone Democrat for a very long time.

Trump promised to “make America great again.” Rally attendees appeared supportive. Repeatedly chanted “Build the Wall!”

A change has taken place. Cannabis has topped alcohol as America’s daily drug of choice.

Did a bit of shopping at Publix yesterday. The pantry was empty. For real. It was shop or starve.

Prices up again. Needed Publix tissues. The normal sized box. Three dollars plus the cost for one box. Crazy!

Just like Campbell’s Soup. Over $2 a can.

In my opinion, Biden has done an excellent job. Two problems, however. Two that make some who supported him in the past now believe Trump will do better.

The two items are basics. The price of groceries and gasoline. Biden has to do something with these two items over the next few months.

An issue discussed at the recent Marathon meeting re rehabilitation of the Seven Mile Bridge included adding a dedicated bicyclist/pedestrian lane that would be separated by a barrier.

Seven miles awfully long. Wise?

Time for Schooner Wharf’s Minimal Regatta again. Sunday. Boats made of “barebone supplies.” More of a sink and swim situation.

Party time this day in 1953 on Big Pine Key. Four hundred Keys residents came together to celebrate the advent of electricity on Big Pine Key.

Enjoy your day!